soil health

Legislative Update: Fair Farm Economy, Resilient Climate, Soil Health, Land Access & Regional Food on the Table

LSP is Championing 15 Bills (So Far)

By Amanda Koehler & Laura Schreiber

February 10, 2023

This past fall, hundreds of Land Stewardship Project members from across Minnesota came together to build a holistic, state policy campaign — the “Minnesota Food and Farm Campaign.” Now, as the 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature hits its stride, we’re translating our agenda into legislation. LSP is championing 15 bills (so far) to build… Read More →

Category: Blog

Ear to the Ground 299: Road to Resilience

Laura Lengnick believes that if farms are to survive (and thrive) in the age of climate change, we need to remember it’s not just about soil and water — it’s also about people. More Information • Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate, by Laura Lengnick • SARE Publication: Cultivating Climate Resilience on Farms… Read More →

Workshop on ‘3 Secrets for Increasing Farm Profit’ March 23 in Red Wing

February 2, 2023

RED WING, Minn. — Improving your farm business takes rolling up your sleeves and getting to work — not just IN your business, but ON it too. A “3 Secrets for Increasing Farm Profit” workshop featuring Ranch Management Consultants expert Dave Pratt will be held Thursday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: adaptive managed grazing • business planning • Dave Pratt • financial • grazing • livestock • pasture-based livestock • Ranch Management Consultants • regenerative agriculture • soil health

Regenerative Farming Systems ‘Peer-to-Peer’ Workshop March 1 in Bellechester

3 Regional Crop-Livestock Famers Will Discuss Innovative Approaches to Profitability

January 26, 2023

BELLECHESTER, Minn. — Agricultural profitability and sustainability utilizing regenerative practices will be the focus of a “peer-to-peer” Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop Wednesday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bellechester Community Center (101 1st Street). This free event includes lunch catered by Bridget’s Café. To reserve a spot by Feb. 27, register… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: cover crops • grazing • no-till • regenerative agriculture • small grains • soil health

Ear to the Ground 297: Web of Willing Workers

Scientist Elaine Ingham believes minding the microbes makes farmers the masters of their own destiny. More Information • Microbiologist Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web page • LSP’s Soil Microbiology web page • Ear to the Ground No. 292: Interview with David Johnson & Hui-Chun Su Johnson about the Johnson-Su Bioreactor system You can find LSP… Read More →

‘Exploring Conservation on Rented Farmland’ Online Workshop Jan. 24

January 3, 2023

MADISON, Minn. — Are you a farmland owner who values good stewardship practices or a farmer looking to invest in soil building on rented land? The Land Stewardship Project (LSP), in partnership with the Lac Qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), is offering an online workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 24, to help you… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: conservation • conservation leases • Conservation Leases Toolkit • landowners • renting farmland • Renting It Out Right • soil health

Our Minnesota Food & Farm Campaign Platform

LSP's Priorities for the 2023 MN Legislature

By Laura Schreiber & Amanda Koehler

December 22, 2022

This summer and fall, Land Stewardship Project members have been hard at work preparing for the 2023 Minnesota state legislative session, which begins on Tuesday, January 3. Hundreds of LSP members, supporters, and allies across the state have engaged in workshops, surveys, and one-to-one visits to lay out what they’re excited for our organization to… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: beginning farmers • community based food systems • consolidation • emerging farmers • land access • local food • meat processing • Minnesota Legislature • rural economies • rural healthcare • soil health • state policy

Ear to the Ground 296: Stability is Sexy

Rick Clark’s no-till organic system is all about treating cover crops like cash crops — because they are. More Information • Rick Clark’s Farm Green website • LSP’s Soil Health web page • LSP Ear Dirt soil health podcast series You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, and… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 295: Patchwork Quilt Stewardship

John Ledermann’s rental relationships are built on healthy soil. More Information • LSP’s Conservation Leases Toolkit • Land Stewardship Letter article on John Ledermann • LSP’s Soil Health web page • LSP’s Land Transition Tools You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.

Ear to the Ground 292: Working the Microbes

David Johnson and Hui-Chun Su Johnson’s approach to composting may help farming reach the ultimate regenerative ag pinnacle: self-sufficient soil. More Information • LSP’s Microbiology web page • Managing a Johnson-Su Composting Bioreactor • Ear to the Ground podcast episode 271: Focusing on Fungi • Ear to the Ground podcast episode 266: Activating Soil Life • Land… Read More →

Upcoming Events

April 2024

Saturday April 27

10:00 am – 3:00 pm: LSP Land Access Workshop in Spanish
Saturday April 27
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
LSP Land Access Workshop in Spanish
Northfield, Minn.

LSP is hosting land access workshops in Spanish! Two workshops will be held via Zoom and will serve as an introduction to the topic of land access for Spanish-speaking farmers and aspiring farmers. The third workshop will take place in-person, providing a deeper dive into the topic of renting, owning, and maintaining farmland. Interested participants are encouraged to attend any or all of the workshops. Please be sure to register by e-mailing Alondra at latierra@landstewardshipproject.org.

Zoom Workshop #1 – Introduction to farmland access. Sunday, April 14, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Zoom Workshop #2 – Introduction to farmland access. Thursday, April 18, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In-Person Workshop #3 – Deep dive into renting or owning farmland. Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Northfield, Minn.

¡LSP está organizando talleres de acceso a la tierra en español! Dos talleres serán por Zoom y servirán como introducción al tema de Acceso a la Tierra para agricultores que hablan español. El tercer taller se llevará a cabo en persona y será una inmersión más profunda sobre el tema de como adquirir, alquilar, y mantener tierras agrícolas. Las personas que estén interesados en asistir pueden participar en todos los talleres. Asegúrese de registrarse enviando un correo electrónico a Alondra a latierra@landstewardshipproject.org.

Taller #1 por Zoom – Introducción al acceso a tierras agrícolas. Domingo 14 de abril, de 6 p.m. a 7 p.m.

Taller #2 por Zoom – Introducción al acceso a tierras agrícolas. Jueves 18 de abril, de 6 p.m. a 7 p.m.

Taller #3 Presencial – Profundización sobre como comprar, alquilar, o mantener una propiedad de tierras agrícolas. Sábado 27 de abril de 10 a.m. a 3 p.m. en Northfield, Minn.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: LSP Policy Leadership Assembly
Saturday April 27
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
LSP Policy Leadership Assembly
Twin Cities area
Do you serve on an LSP Steering Committee, Working Group, or Board? Join folks across LSP’s Policy Steering Committees and Working Groups for an overnight retreat where we will build relationships, strategize together, and be joined by a couple of key legislative leaders to push our priorities forward. LSP is covering all costs – hotel rooms, meals, mileage, etc.

To register, click here.

Questions? Contact your LSP policy organizer or LSP Policy Director, Sean Carroll at scarroll@landstewardshipproject.org.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Seward Co-op CSA Fair
Saturday April 27
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Seward Co-op CSA Fair
2601 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55406 United States
For details, click here.

Monday April 29

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Thriving Through Drought: Regenerative Grazing Strategies for Sheep & Goats
Monday April 29
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Thriving Through Drought: Regenerative Grazing Strategies for Sheep & Goats
Webinar
Jonathan Kilpatrick, farmer education director for the Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association, will discuss pasture management strategies in drought conditions and related topics in regards to grazing and drought.

To register, click here.

May 2024

Thursday May 9

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: LSP Campaign Action Meeting on Climate
Thursday May 9
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Campaign Action Meeting on Climate
Zoom Online
Join LSP to get updates on, strategize on, and take action on LSP’s Climate Campaign. Held via Zoom. Questions? Contact LSP organizer Laura Schreiber at lschreiber@landstewardshipproject.org.

To register, click here.

View Full Calendar