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Tell the Legislature: Reinstate the MPCA Citizens’ Board

Time to Contact Lawmakers & Attend a Hearing

February 21, 2023

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One of the Land Stewardship Project’s core values is democracy. We believe that those most impacted by the decisions our state agencies make should have a meaningful voice in the decision-making process. Yet, since the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Citizens’ Board was abolished in 2015, agency decisions have become increasingly opaque, the public has had fewer opportunities to make their voices heard, and corporate interests are being treated as clients by the MPCA.

This legislative session, we have a strong chance of reinstating the MPCA Citizens’ Board, with required representation from rural and urban communities who face the brunt of the environmental, human health, and economic impacts of industrial projects. The bills to do so were introduced Feb. 20 in the Minnesota House and Senate by Rep. Kristi Pursell (DFL-Northfield), the vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee, and Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul), the chair of the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee.

But nothing is a given. Big Ag and the Chamber of Commerce will come out swinging. They have deep pockets and plenty of lobbyists, but we have the people on our side — and we need to demonstrate that.

Hearings are on the horizon in both the Minnesota House and Senate and we need you to demonstrate the public demand for Minnesotan-run and people-centered public institutions! Here’s how you can take action:

  1. Take just two minutes to e-mail your state legislators to urge them to support the bill. Add a personal message to make it even more effective!
  2. If timing allows, attend one or more hearings in-person. Packing a hearing room is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate public demand for a legislative proposal. Fill out our interest form to be the first to know when hearings are scheduled!

 

Contact Your Legislators                      Attend a Hearing

 

More on the MPCA Citizens’ Board

The MPCA Citizens’ Board was established when the MPCA was created in 1967. Made up of eight regular Minnesotans and the MPCA Commissioner, the Board had legal authority to make final decisions on environmental review and permitting of industrial projects, including factory farms. The Board even had the power to overturn agency decisions. The Board held public hearings where Minnesotans could make public comments, they made their decisions in a public forum, and the agency had to justify its recommendations to the Board.

In 2014, the MPCA Citizens’ Board went against the advice of MPCA staff and ordered an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the state’s largest factory farm, Riverview Dairy, as it tried to expand. Based on registered feedlot data from the MPCA, Riverview Dairy facilities can hold more than 135,700 dairy cows. Five years ago, it was estimated that Riverview produces approximately 27% of Minnesota’s milk and 2% of the world’s milk. Those numbers are likely higher today as it continues to expand and push small and mid-sized dairies out of business.

This was the first and only time an EIS has been ordered on any new or expanding feedlot proposal in Minnesota history. Following this vote, corporate interests and their allies in the Legislature swiftly abolished the Citizens’ Board in backroom dealings in 2015.

By reinstating the MPCA Citizens’ Board, we will put decision-making power back into the hands of Minnesotans (as intended), advance environmental justice, greatly increase transparency in the agency, and create meaningful opportunities for the public to make their voices heard. 

Additional organizations involved in organizing to reinstate the MPCA Citizens’ Board include the Environmental Justice Coordinating Table, Greener Pastures, Honor the Earth, the League of Women Voters, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.

Contact Your Legislators                      Attend a Hearing

 

Category: Action Alerts
Tags: factory farms • Minnesota Legislature • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency • MPCA Citizens' Board • Riverview Dairy

Contact

Amanda Koehler, LSP Policy Manager, e-mail

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October 2025

Thursday October 23

8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Thursday October 23
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Online

School is back in session and this week’s cool temps definitely remind us all that fall is just around the corner. This time of the year also means that the application period is open for Minnesota’s Farm to School and Early Care grants.

Earlier this year, the Land Stewardship Project and our partners were successful in expanding funding for the AGRI Farm to School and Early Care program. The application window for the next round of funding is now open and will close at 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23.

APPLY FOR FUNDING HERE

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is serving up two funding opportunities to help schools and early childhood education (ECE) centers buy Minnesota-grown and -raised foods. 

1.    First Bite Grants: Up to $5,000 (no match required) to kickstart local food purchasing through intentional, high-impact activities. 
2.    Full Tray Grants: Up to $35,000 (1:1 match required) to help experienced schools and ECE centers increase or expand their local food purchases. 

Equipment funding: First Bite and Full Tray applicants can also request up to $25,000 (1:1 match required) to support the purchase of kitchen equipment that will enhance their capacity to buy, prepare, and serve local foods.  

 These grants are open to: 
•    Public or private K-12 schools or school districts in Minnesota that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
•    Early childhood education (ECE) centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Minnesota

MDA encourages schools, districts, and ECE centers serving sovereign tribal nations to apply. 

 Local Tots Cost-Share Program
There are also funds available to reimburse family child care providers for buying Minnesota-grown and -raised foods used for meals and snacks as part of the the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

Interested providers must submit a Local Tots Cost-Share program Letter of Intent to participate. Award amounts will be up to $1,000 and there is a 1:1 cash match required for providers who received a Local Tots Cost-Share award in 2025. There is no cash match required if you are new to the program. 

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23, 2025. 

 Program details and online applications are available at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/farm-school-early-care-programs or by contacting the Grants Team at MDA.AGRIgrants@state.mn.us. 

 Want to learn more about eligibility, allowable expenses, and how to apply?

 Join the MDA for a virtual info session: 
First Bite and Full Tray Grant Info Session 
September 15, 2025, 2-3 p.m.
Register here

 Local Tots Cost-Share Info Session – for family child care providers
September 18, 2025, 1-2 p.m.
Register here

Farmers: Are you Interested in selling to a school near you? 
Send this opportunity along to the food service director at schools near you or connect with a Regional Local Food Coordinator to help you make connections with schools, childcare settings, and other opportunities to sell locally. These positions are supported by the Department of Education and Renewing the Countryside.

Saturday October 25

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Saturday October 25
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Madison Public Library - Central, 201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

During the Wisconsin Book Festival, Curt Meine will talk about the book in a discussion with author Sonja Trom Eayrs (Dodge County, Incorporated), in a session on “The Fight for Rural America.” 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

Tuesday October 28

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
MDA Grants Webinar
Tuesday October 28
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
MDA Grants Webinar
Zoom online

Are you interested in applying for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)? On Tuesday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m., the Land Stewardship Project will be holding an online webinar on four grants that will be available this fall. MDA staffers will go over the details of these grants and how to apply for them.

 To sign-up, click here.  

 This webinar will feature information on four grants:

– AGRI Livestock Investment Grant

– AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant 

– Preparing for Extreme Weather (Prepare) Grant

– AGRI Protecting Livestock from Avian Influenza (Protect) Grant 

For more information, contact LSP’s Alex Kiminski at akiminski@landstewardshipproject.org.

Wednesday October 29

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Wednesday October 29
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, 2800 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

Thursday October 30

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Thursday October 30
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

View Full Calendar

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