Hear the latest insights from three of the region’s leading regenerative farmers — Tom Cotter, Martin Larsen, and Tom Finnegan — as they tackle successful approaches to plants, animals, and machinery for regenerative system success.

The day’s topics and tasks will provide great foundations of fresh insight and information, as well as tools to use for planning, monitoring, and tracking. No matter where you’re starting from, you’ll leave prepared to dive deeper into having more covered acres, more regenerative principles actively engaged, and better productivity and profitability.

In addition, a panel of regional farmer-leaders will cover topics through brief presentations and ample time for Q & A.

For details and to register, click here. You can also contact LSP’s Maura Curry at mcurry@landstewardshipproject.org or 651-249-6308.

…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?

THE WORKSHOPS WILL FOCUS ON: 

• Values and Vision;  
• Financial,  tax, and legal considerations; 
• Options for farm transitions; 
• Resources to guide the planning process,
• Communication tools. 

YOU WILL COME AWAY WITH:

• Tools to use that will help gain clarity around your future planning
• Next steps toward creating a farm transition plan
• Ideas and advice from other farmers and professionals 
• Networks and support to continue to share and learn
• Individualized support

Session One: Thursday, Jan. 26: The focus will be on values and vision. In addition, we will be getting to know one another, discussing expectations for the course, and understanding where folks are in the transition planning process.

Session Two: Thursday, Feb. 2: The focus will be on financial planning. Presenter Joy Kirkpatrick, a Succession Outreach Specialist for the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability, will share her 29 years of experience working with farm families as they assess their financial needs for retirement and how that impacts their farm transition.

Session Three: Thursday, Feb. 9: The focus will be on legal issues in planning a farm transition. Jason Wagner, an attorney with Wagner Oehler Ltd., will share his experience and knowledge regarding legal aspects that need to be considered when planning a farm transition.

Session Four: Thursday, Feb. 16: The focus will be on communications and intergenerational considerations which are critical to a successful farm transition and that are often overlooked.

Session Five: Thursday, Feb. 23: The focus will be on long -term care issues. Kate Graham, an attorney with an elder law focus, will share her knowledge and experience of what needs to be considered when planning long-term care and how a farm transition can be impacted.  

Session Six: Thursday, March 2: The focus will be on integrating all that has been discussed and sharing resources (people, organizations, and materials) that are available to help continue the farm transition planning process. The goal is for each family to create individual next steps to continue the farm transition planning process once the course is over.

To register, click here.

This Northeast Wisconsin Technical College course is for produce growers who want to navigate the best food safety practices for growing vegetable produce. It is for farmers who need to comply with this FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) requirement:

At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food and safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.”  

Upon completion of the course, you will receive an AFDO/PSA certificate verifying that you fulfilled the requirements of the training. The cost of the certification is covered by Wisconsin Farmers Union.  

For more information, click here.

Registration: Enroll in class #22701. Call or text NWTC at 1-888-385-6982 for help enrolling or go to this link: https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/contact-nwtc.

MISA, UMN Extension, and Renewing the Countryside are offering training and one-to-one technical assistance for farmers who want to grow their operation into wholesale markets. Wholesale isn’t just for large-scale distributors. You can use this training and support team to prepare to sell to schools, restaurants, grocery stores, and hospitals in your community. Participating farmers will be eligible for $500 mini-grants to cover expenses related to launching a wholesale enterprise. 

For details, click here.

Starting in January 2023, a group of about 20 people have met the first Wednesday of each month to explore and discuss opportunities for expanding local food aggregation, processing, and sales at the Madison Mercantile. Join us for the next planning session onWednesday, March 8, starting at 7 p.m., at the Madison Mercantile.

For more information, contact LSP’s Scott DeMuth at sdemuth@landstewardshipproject.org.

In this class we will teach you how to propagate your own apple trees. We will discuss the time-tested techniques of fruit tree grafting, including grafting tools, timing, proper scions and rootstocks. Attendees will practice what they learn by “whip and tongue” grafting different varieties of apple trees using modern day rootstocks.

Each participant will take home three newly grafted apple trees to be planted on your own property. Additional rootstocks available for purchase at class. All materials and tools will be provided for the workshop. You can bring your own grafting knife if you prefer. We will bring a variety of apple tree scions to the workshop for grafting.

Optional: Bring scions of your favorite old apple tree if you would like to graft these at the class. (Call John, 507-439-6541, for tips how to properly collect scions.)

Registration must be paid in advance. For more information and to register, click here.

You Bring:

• Large trash bag and pot/bucket to take your grafts home in.
• Lunch or snack for yourself.
• Cash/check for additional rootstock purchase ($3 each).

Learn from John Knisley, of Alternative Roots Farm, a certified organic orchardist with 12 years of experience in the orchard.

Building strong community food networks where we live can move us powerfully toward our vision for functioning local and regional systems that support regenerative farming and provide all people with the nourishing foods they want and need. To explore how communities around the country are making this happen, in March LSP is hosting three learning circles focused on the book Building Community Food Webs, by Ken Meter.

Join us for just one session, or all three! Each session we’ll gather on Zoom for two hours — beginning at 7 p.m. — to discuss major themes from the book and generate ideas for our own communities.

Reserve your spot by signing up on our website:https://landstewardshipproject.org/learning-circles. Questions about getting signed up? Reach out to LSP’s Elizabeth Makarewicz at EMakarewicz@landstewardshipproject.org.

You’re invited to join other Land Stewardship Project members and supporters from the area atIsland City Brewingin Winona for an open mic music and social event thisSunday, March 19, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This month, the H3O Jazz Trio will be raising money for LSPat the Island City Brewing Company (65 E. Front St. Winona, MN 55987).

These monthly jam sessions regularly sponsor a local nonprofit and all donations made are tripled, with matching funds from H3O and Island City. There is anopen mic, so everyone is encouraged to bring an instrument to join in the fun (bring your own instrument)!And if you’re not a musician, just come and enjoy the great music and company.This is a family friendly event and all are welcome.

Everyone wishing to sing, play, or cheer on their friends is welcome join the H3O Jazz Trio at Island City Brewing Company’s monthly Jazz Jam! The brewery follows current CDC guidelines, and all equipment will be sanitized between performers.

Interested players can choose their tunes from a wide selection. Music is available from the Hal Leonard Real Book series; bring your own music, or just name that tune!

Come early to enjoy a beverage in Island City’s spacious taproom and enjoy an afternoon of great jazz with the H3O Jazz Trio — all while showing your support for our community!

Facebook Event:https://fb.me/e/KfdxVR0E

MISA, UMN Extension, and Renewing the Countryside are offering training and one-to-one technical assistance for farmers who want to grow their operation into wholesale markets. Wholesale isn’t just for large-scale distributors. You can use this training and support team to prepare to sell to schools, restaurants, grocery stores, and hospitals in your community. Participating farmers will be eligible for $500 mini-grants to cover expenses related to launching a wholesale enterprise. 

For details, click here.

Building strong community food networks where we live can move us powerfully toward our vision for functioning local and regional systems that support regenerative farming and provide all people with the nourishing foods they want and need. To explore how communities around the country are making this happen, in March LSP is hosting three learning circles focused on the book Building Community Food Webs, by Ken Meter.

Join us for just one session, or all three! Each session we’ll gather on Zoom for two hours — beginning at 7 p.m. — to discuss major themes from the book and generate ideas for our own communities.

Reserve your spot by signing up on our website:https://landstewardshipproject.org/learning-circles. Questions about getting signed up? Reach out to LSP’s Elizabeth Makarewicz at EMakarewicz@landstewardshipproject.org.

Improving your farm business takes rolling up your sleeves and getting to work … not just IN your business, but ON it too. The Land Stewardship Project is hosting Ranch Management Consultant Dave Pratt, who will give workshop participants insights into threetools for improvingfarm profit. Dave won’t just be presenting information — you can expect plenty of small group interaction, case studies, videos, direct application to yourown situation and a healthy dose of humorto be used throughout the workshop.

You will learn:

● How to transform your farm into a successful business.
● The difference between economics vs. finance and why economics always comes first.
● The three things that youcan do to increase profit on your farm.
● How to identify theweak links and profit-drivers in your business.

Please register by March 17.

For more information and to register, click here.

Building strong community food networks where we live can move us powerfully toward our vision for functioning local and regional food systems that support regenerative farming and provide all people with the nourishing foods they want and need. To celebrate and explore how our local community is making this happen, the Land Stewardship Project will be hosting a Regional Food Forum to celebrate and grow our local foodshed. The Food Forum will be held at Table Two Twelve Chophouse, 4490 US-212, Montevideo, MN 56265.

Local food advocates, producers, and professionals will gather for panels, break-out sessions, and activities. Lunch will be served and an optional social hour will follow the event. There will be limited space available, so be sure to register here by March 17 and save the date for Thursday, March 23.

Join LSP to prepare for the 2023 Family Farm Breakfast Lobby Day on April 13! The training will be an opportunity to prepare how we will influence our elected officials to win real change on key LSP issues like soil health and climate solutions, healthcare reform, taking on corporate consolidation in agriculture, and more. This training will include: background on your legislators; templates for a legislative meeting; workshopping how to share our stories in a powerful, concise way; logistics; and more!

For more information and to register, click here.

Join LSP to prepare for the 2023 Family Farm Breakfast Lobby Day on April 13! The training will be an opportunity to prepare how we will influence our elected officials to win real change on key LSP issues like soil health and climate solutions, healthcare reform, taking on corporate consolidation in agriculture, and more. This training will include: background on your legislators; templates for a legislative meeting; workshopping how to share our stories in a powerful, concise way; logistics; and more!


For more information and to register, click here.

Join LSP to prepare for the 2023 Family Farm Breakfast Lobby Day on April 13! The training will be an opportunity to prepare how we will influence our elected officials to win real change on key LSP issues like soil health and climate solutions, healthcare reform, taking on corporate consolidation in agriculture, and more. This training will include: background on your legislators; templates for a legislative meeting; workshopping how to share our stories in a powerful, concise way; logistics; and more!

For more information and to register, click here.

Minnesota State Senator Erin Murphy will lead a public discussion on what’s needed for quality and affordable rural healthcare.