soil health

POSTPONED: Public Presentation on Soil Health & Screening of ‘Livestock on the Land’ Documentary Feb. 24 in NE Iowa

Allen Williams Presentation at Ridgeway Community Center, Documentary Screening to Follow at Luther College

January 12, 2022

POSTPONEMENT NOTE: Due to extreme weather halting travel for our presenter, Allen Williams, we must postpone the Feb. 24 event in Ridgeway, Iowa. If you’ve already registered, your ticket purchase for the postponed event will be reimbursed. In the meantime, we will provide this vital and timely information through a podcast interview LSP’s Brian DeVore… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: adaptive grazing • Allen Williams • Grass Fed Insights • grazing • soil health • Soil Health Academy • Understanding AG LLC

‘How Grazing Brought a Ranch Back to Life’ in MN Feb. 1-4

Events to Focus on Utilizing Soil Building Practices to Manage for Drought & High Input Costs

January 5, 2022

LEWISTON, Minn. — Cattle producer Alejandro Carrillo will tell the story of how he has used regenerative grazing to build soil health and bring his ranch back to life during a series of Land Stewardship Project presentations in Minnesota the first week of February. The events will be held Feb. 1 in Willmar, Minn., Feb. 2 in… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: Alejandro Carrillo • beef • grazing • LSP Soil Builders' Network • soil health • water

The Importance of Investing in Soil Health & Resilient Rural Communities

By Sam Streukens

October 26, 2021

Around a decade ago, while driving past a farm field in southeastern Minnesota, Bob Christie turned to DJ Mueller with a nervous question: “So you’re saying my fields are going to look like that?” With farmers adapting to a changing climate and volatile markets, DJ knew that he and Bob must prioritize soil health over… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: beginning farmers • cover crops • intergenerational transfer • no-till • small farms • soil health

Ear to the Ground 260: Soil Health’s Long View

Martin Larsen’s integration of small grains into his cropping operation is centered on building economic and ecological resiliency beyond the next growing season. For more information on soil health and to join LSP’s Soil Builders’ Network, click here. Ear Dirt Check out LSP’s ongoing Ear Dirt podcast series for conversations on cover cropping, no-till, managed rotational grazing,… Read More →

The Wonder of Farming with Nature

John Snyder’s Soil Health Journey Started with a Question: Where are the Worms?

By Barb Sogn-Frank

October 22, 2021

Some five decades ago, a young aspiring farmer named John Snyder brought his bride Bernadette back to Minnesota from Tennessee to begin their farm and family dream together. The newlyweds settled in on a piece of rolling farmland near Preston in southeastern Minnesota where oak savanna forests, limestone ridges, and prairie meet. That first farmhouse… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: cover crops • crop rotations • non-GMO • Soil Builders' Network • soil health

LSP Grazing Group Kick-Off Meeting to Feature Extended Fall Grazing Nov. 11 near Decorah

October 22, 2021

DECORAH, Iowa — Extended fall grazing will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) pasture walk/grazing group kick-off meeting Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Canoe Creek Dairy near Decorah (2954 Middle Sattre Road). This event is free and open to the public and registration begins at 9:45 a.m.; lunch… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: grazing • soil health

Ear to the Ground No. 257: The House that Biology Built

Tillage can do a lot of things, but building soil isn’t one of them. Soil expert Steve Lawler and Minnesota farmer Jon Jovaag talk about the importance of using nature as a guide when preparing a seed bed and bolstering the soil’s structure. • For more information on how to build soil health profitably, check… Read More →

Ear to the Ground No. 256: From Sugar High to Soil Health

Soil health cheerleader Ray Archuleta and Iowa farmer Mervin Beachy talk about taking agroecological innovations from the “excitement stage” to the “action stage”…and the importance of aha moments. • For more information on how to build soil health profitably, check out LSP’s Soil Builders’ Network page. • Check out this LSP blog on Red Rooster… Read More →

Jeepers Cats That’s Some Healthy Soil!

Turning a Massive Problem into Soil Fertility & Economic Value

By Sam Streukens

August 26, 2021

I recently witnessed the return of life to Jordan and Rachelle Meyers’ fields, which are transitioning from giant ragweed and thistles into soil-building plants such as chicory, red clover, and wild bergamot. During the past few years, the family, which farms in southeastern Minnesota’s Houston County, has used hard work and attention to the soil… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: adaptive managed grazing • beginning farmer • fungi • goats • grazing • land access • microbiology • rotational grazing • soil health

Ear to the Ground No. 255: Embracing the Weed

What happened when beginning farmers Rachelle and Jordan Meyer started listening to the land and turned livestock loose on a “bacterial farm.” • Check out this LSP video on how Rachelle and Jordan Meyer are using “cell grazing” to build soil and produce livestock. • More information on Wholesome Family Farms is here. • For… Read More →

Upcoming Events

February 2025

Monday February 24

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

2025 LSP Western MN Food Forum

Monday February 24

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

2025 LSP Western MN Food Forum

Oyate Hall, Student Center, Morris, MN 56267, USA

Last March, over 40 producers, school food service directors, and food advocates gathered at the 2024 Food Forum to listen, learn, and coordinate around farm-to-institution opportunities in western Minnesota. The Land Stewardship Project is excited to gather again to build a vision for our region’s food system at the 2025 Food Forum on Monday, Feb. 24.

Last year’s meeting included producer-buyer matchmaking and input on policies to shape and fund farm-to-school and regional food coordinators. We plan to create similar opportunities (and more!) at this year’s event. Save the date on your calendar and get registered here.

Community meal to follow.

Register for the 2025 Regional Food Forum here.

Tuesday February 25

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

LSP Holistic Farm Transition Planning Course

Tuesday February 25

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

LSP Holistic Farm Transition Planning Course

Online

Are you a farmland owner or retiring farmer looking to transition ownership or rent your farmland in ways that reflect your values? The Land Stewardship Project is hosting an online holistic Farm Transition Planning Course designed to help you act on your conservation and social values. Seven 2 ½ hour sessions will bring professionals, farmers, and LSP staff together to dig into values, goals, and communication, as well as generational, financial, legal and long-term care considerations.

The dates and times for the course are:

Jan 28: Goal Setting for Life & Land, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 4: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 11: Financial Considerations, 5:30- 8 p.m.
Feb. 18: Legal Considerations, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 25: Working with Next Generation Farmers, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
March 4: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
March 18: Resources and Planning Next Steps, Presentations, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Workshop Fee: $250 per farm family.

For more information and to register by Jan. 12, click here. You can also contact LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org.

Wednesday February 26

9:00 am – 4:00 pm: MN Farm to School Roadshow: Making Regional Farm to School Connections
Wednesday February 26
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
MN Farm to School Roadshow: Making Regional Farm to School Connections
AUNE HALL (4-H BUILDING), 1508 Aune Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

The Farm to School Roadshow is an opportunity to make newconnections and learn how to build successful Farm to Schoolrelationships. These in-person events will bring together Minnesotaschool nutrition professionals, early care providers, producers and farmers fornetworking and training opportunities. The Roadshow is a full day event with options to attend the full day or half day.

Growing for Wholesale — Vegetable Production and Planning (9 a.m.-noon): The morning session will take an in-depth look at vegetable crop planning and management for production targeted at the wholesale market, specifically schools. We will deep dive into topics such as crop planning, pest management, and safe harvest and storage with U of M Extension educators. Growers will leave the morning with customizable crop plans for common crops schools are buying and the most up-to-date research related to growing healthy, abundant crops.

Business of Farm to School and Farmer/ Buyer Networking (1 p.m.-4 p.m.: All Farmers/ Producers and Schools/ Early Care Providers Welcome:
The afternoon session is open to all local sellers (farmers, producers, makers) and buyers (schools, early care centers and providers) who are interested in expanding their local purchasing power and reach. This session will include a training titled “The Business of Farm to School — From Planning in the Fields to Serving on the Tray, and Everything in Between,” and a networking activity where buyers and sellers will have an opportunity to meet and explore potential business partnerships.

Bring your business cards!

Dates and Locations for in-person events:
February 26: Aune Hall at Graham Park (Rochester)
February 28: New Ulm Civic Center (New Ulm)

For details and to register, click here.

Friday February 28

9:00 am – 4:00 pm: MN Farm to School Roadshow: Making Regional Farm to School Connections
Friday February 28
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
MN Farm to School Roadshow: Making Regional Farm to School Connections
New Ulm Civic Center, 1212 N Franklin St, New Ulm, MN 56073, USA

The Farm to School Roadshow is an opportunity to make new connections and learn how to build successful Farm to School relationships. These in-person events will bring together Minnesota school nutrition professionals, early care providers, producers and farmers for networking and training opportunities. The Roadshow is a full day event with options to attend the full day or half day.

Growing for Wholesale — Vegetable Production and Planning (9 a.m.-noon): The morning session will take an in-depth look at vegetable crop planning and management for production targeted at the wholesale market, specifically schools. We will deep dive into topics such as crop planning, pest management, and safe harvest and storage with U of M Extension educators. Growers will leave the morning with customizable crop plans for common crops schools are buying and the most up-to-date research related to growing healthy, abundant crops.

Business of Farm to School and Farmer/ Buyer Networking (1 p.m.-4 p.m.: All Farmers/ Producers and Schools/ Early Care Providers Welcome:
The afternoon session is open to all local sellers (farmers, producers, makers) and buyers (schools, early care centers and providers) who are interested in expanding their local purchasing power and reach. This session will include a training titled “The Business of Farm to School — From Planning in the Fields to Serving on the Tray, and Everything in Between,” and a networking activity where buyers and sellers will have an opportunity to meet and explore potential business partnerships.

Bring your business cards!

Dates and Locations for in-person events:
February 26: Aune Hall at Graham Park (Rochester)
February 28: New Ulm Civic Center (New Ulm)

For details and to register, click here.

March 2025

Tuesday March 4

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: West Central MN Sustainable Ag Webinar
Tuesday March 4
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
West Central MN Sustainable Ag Webinar
Online
Join the West Central Food Council for a series of lightning talks from some of the most interesting initiatives and businesses in Minnesota’s food and farming ecosystem. This free, virtual event takes place every Tuesday throughout the month of March (March 4, 11, 18, and 25).

For more information and to register, click here.

This webinar series is sponsored by the West Central Food Council and made possible by funding provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Local Climate Action Grants.

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