regenerative farming

Farmers Gather in Rochester to Discuss Strategies for Diversifying Cropping Systems

Importance of Partnerships Focus of LSP’s ‘Beyond Exports’ Meeting

January 28, 2026

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Diversifying the region’s cropping systems beyond raw, export-driven commodities like corn and soybeans will require a team effort, said the farmer-presenters at the “Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets” meeting held at the Rochester International Event Center Jan. 27. More than 125 farmers from Minnesota and Iowa gathered for the Land Stewardship Project… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: crop diversity • diversifying agriculture • Green Acres Milling • James Hepp • John Strohfus • Landon Plagge • LSP Soil Health Hubs • Martin Larsen • regenerative farming • small grains • soil health • Tom Finnegan

Ear to the Ground 394: Canceling Commodities

As a farmer and entrepreneur, John Strohfus sees the production of food-grade crops as a key opportunity for regenerative farmers to forge links in a value chain based on building healthy soil. More Information • Jan. 27, 2026, LSP Workshop — “Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets” • Field Theory Foods • LSP Small Grains Web… Read More →

Land Line: Commodity Ag Regrets, Bailout Blues, Corn & Climate, USDA Regenerative Ag Pilot, Manure Monitoring, Conservation & Community, Farmer-to-Farmer

By Brian DeVore (editor)

December 16, 2025

Iowa Farm & Rural Life Poll: 2025 Summary (November) The majority of farmers responding to the latest Iowa Farm & Rural Life Poll feel that a reliance on specialized commodity agriculture is bad for them and their communities. Highlights: Sixty-nine percent agreed with the statement “Increased specialization in commodities (corn, soybeans, hogs, etc.) has led… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: Aldo Leopold • CAFOs • farm crisis • federal ag policy • manure • regenerative farming • rural economic development • soil health • Tom Cotter • trade war

Farm Aid Fridays: Hannah Bernhardt, Moses Momanyi & Lonah Onyancha Kilimo

Celebrating the LSP Member Stories Shared During 2025 Farm Aid in Minneapolis

December 4, 2025

From Farm Aid’s YouTube Channel: Minnesota farmer Hannah Bernhardt grew up on a farm during the devastating 1980s Farm Crisis. She explains how decades later, seeing other young farmers using sustainable, regenerative agriculture practices inspires her to stay on the land growing for the future. Moses Momanyi and Lonah Onyancha speak about the benefits of… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: 1980s Farm Crisis • Farm Aid • Hannah Bernhardt • immigrant farmers • Kilimo • Lonah Onyancha • Moses Momanyi • regenerative farming

Growing New Grains for Better Bread

LSP Small Grain Workshop Helps Spawn New Ideas on a W MN Farm

By Jenny Bredeken

December 3, 2025

Note: LSP believes that a more sustainable food production system must be based on the kinds of farmer-to-farmer education networks that thrive at workshops, field days, and during informal conversations in the field and at the kitchen table. That’s why LSP is committed to building Soil Health Hubs and otherwise bringing farmers together to share… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: Full Circle Farm • local food • local food systems • organic grains • regenerative farming • small grains

Ear to the Ground 388: On-time Delivery

Scientist Kris Nichols finds the disconnect between food production and soil health “terrifying” and says the stakes are too high not to mend that break. So what are we waiting for? (2 of 2 parts) More Information • Ear to the Ground No. 387 Interview with Kris Nichols (1 of 2 parts) • LSP’s Soil… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 387: Dumping the Dirt Dogma

When farmers challenged what Kris Nichols had learned from her college textbooks, the soil microbiologist didn’t dismiss them — instead, she dug deeper into the world beneath our feet. (1 of 2 parts) More Information • Ear to the Ground No. 388 Interview with Kris Nichols (2 of 2 parts) • LSP’s Soil Builders’ Web… Read More →

MAHA Gives Regenerative Agriculture a Moment in the Sun

Why a soil-health shoutout from RFK Jr.’s federal commission matters to toe-dippers, early adopters and true believers.

By Brian DeVore

October 20, 2025

Note: This commentary originally ran in the Minnesota Star Tribune on Oct. 17. When Minnesota’s growing season draws to a close, so does another kind of season: that period between spring and fall when farmers invite other farmers onto their land for “field days,” so they can share ideas about what’s working and what isn’t.… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: farmer-to-farmer education • MAHA • Make America Healthy Again • regenerative farming • soil health

Ear to the Ground 381: A Key Ingredient

Chris MacLeod came to Mill City hoping to source local grain while pursuing his passion for baking. When confronted with the reality of the export-driven commodity system, he doubled down on connecting with local farmers. More Information • Laune Bread • Baker’s Field Flour & Bread • LSP’s Small Grains Web Page • Ear to… Read More →

‘Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters’ Event July 12 Near Lewiston

July 8, 2025

LEWISTON, Minn. — The public is invited to learn via fun, hands-on activities about the connections between clean water, fishing and sustainable farming Saturday, July 12, during a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) event at Farmers Park near Lewiston (23274 Arches Road). The “Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters” event is… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: fish kills • regenerative farming • Rush Creek • water pollution • water quality

Upcoming Events

January 2026

Saturday January 31

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

South Dakota Farm Transition Planning Course

Saturday January 31

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

South Dakota Farm Transition Planning Course

South Dakota

Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

February 2026

Sunday February 1

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Showing of This Land: Access & Equity in Minnesota
Sunday February 1
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Showing of This Land: Access & Equity in Minnesota
255 Main St, Winona, MN 55987, USA
The documentary, This Land: Access & Equity in Minnesota will help open the Frozen River Film Festival, being held Feb. 1-8 in Winona, Minn.

This Land is a documentary film directed by artist and activist Michelle de la Vega and LSP member Eva Barr. The videographers are Gisell Calderon and Stan Juzwiak. This project asks the question: Why aren’t there more Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers in Minnesota? BIPOC people have exceptionally limited access to land. The 2020 Emerging Farmers in Minnesota Legislative Report states: “principle operators of Minnesota farms are 99.16 percent white….Nationally, non-white farmers own less than 4 percent of agricultural land, and in Minnesota, that rate is even lower.” The film follows the stories of land seekers, landowners, and land sharers to raise and explore questions about land justice in the U.S.

Tuesday February 3

8:45 am – 3:45 pm: 2026 Extension Women in Ag Conf.
Tuesday February 3
8:45 am – 3:45 pm
2026 Extension Women in Ag Conf.
The Park Event Center, 500 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387, USA
This one-day conference includes a farmer panel to kick off the morning, interactive break-out sessions, and multiple opportunities to re-connect with friends while making new ones. As always, interact with conference sponsors in the exhibitor hall and enjoy the wellness space to relax and recharge throughout the day. If your schedule allows, please attend the optional pre-conference session the day before on Monday, Feb. 2.

To learn more about the conference, view the conference website: z.umn.edu/WAGN2026.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat
Tuesday February 3
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat
Online

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds.

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions.

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here.

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm: LSP Farm Transition Planning Course
Tuesday February 3
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Farm Transition Planning Course
Zoom Online

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/jxm-nrix-qwe

Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720

View Full Calendar

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands