Land Stewardship Project

Filing Period

Jul 1, 2011 to Jun 30, 2012

Signed

Jan 26, 2013

Return Version

2011v1.2

Gross Receipts

$1,794,417

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

See schedule othe policy and organizing program begins with values-like stewardship and justice-and then organizes people, resources and ideas to build the power to make a difference. We work at the local, state and national levels to change corporate, governmental and institutional policies and practices. At the federal level lsp: increased use of conservation stewardship program (csp) by minnesota farmers and worked with allies on annual appropriations as well as continuation of the program in the upcoming farm bill through mailings to farmers and allies, phone calls to over 180 farmers with csp contracts, participation in three fly-ins to washington, d.c. And testimony by lsp farmer members; engaged in implementation and organizing to utilize the beginning farmer and rancher development program and published the "2011 progress report and recommendations" showing the program had significant improvements leading to $18 million for 36 grantees with 61% going to community-based organizations; successfully organized farmers and others to ask mn senators to support amendments to the senate's farm bill that added conservation requirements and set income limits for crop insurance, as well as adequate funding to continue the beginning farmer and rancher development program; worked for these and other conservation provisions in the house farm bill.lsp conducted two organizing meetings on the role of corporate power at the public expense in health care, frac sand mining and farming, with over 170 people in attendance in the communities of lonsdale and rushford. At the minnesota legislature and with allies, lsp: brought forward proposals that supported family farmers, growth of regional food markets and land stewardship; and successfully opposed legislation to weaken local democracy and township rights over planning and zoning. Additionally, lsp: served on the natural resources conservation service's state technical committee, co-convened the watershed subcommittee and served on other advisory panels; organized the family farm breakfast attended by over 300 lawmakers, lsp members and friends; educated township officials worried about harmful frac sand mining; recruited members to participate in several actions focused on labor contracts for people of color; participated in the minnesota environmental partnership; co-sponsored a meeting with over 400 people becoming educated and active on health care state exchanges formed in the public interest.

Activity 3

See schedule ofarm beginnings provides participants a wide range of opportunities to learn firsthand about low-cost, sustainable methods of farming through a farmer-led, community based training and support program for people with no experience to those making a transition. Over 620 people have taken the lsp-led farm beginnings course since 1997. Farm beginnings graduates are involved in a wide-range of agricultural enterprises, including grass-based livestock and organic vegetable production. This past year, lsp: held two farm beginnings courses for 40 families at rochester and hutchinson and 10 field days/ skills sessions for over 140 people; distributed scholarships to qualified applicants; expanded the advanced training program and network to 132 farmers; held five "farm dreams" introductory courses with at least 80 participants; organized five winter workshops with more than 90 people; held two holistic management workshops, on biological planning and finance with 40 people; engaged interested course graduates in core lsp programs and supported them in community leadership; to strengthen beginning farmer training across the country, formed a multi-state farm beginnings collaborative with nine other regions where organizations licensed lsp's course in northeastern mn, nebraska, south dakota, maine, north dakota, new york, and three programs in illinois; three commentaries highlighting our land narrative were printed in over a dozen papers; the stories of farm transitions event was sponsored by lsp's plainview area land access organizing committee; developed the farm transition coach pilot program.; partnered with latino economic development center on racial justice issues related to farming in rural mn, and 250 people attended 6 performances of the lsp's play "look who's knockin'" in the prairie region of minnesota (madison, marshall, litchfield, clinton, milan and glenwood). The play focused on the dilemma faced by a retiring couple as the face the decision about whether to sell their land to a beginning farm family. Lsp also hosted the "seeking farmers-seeking land clearinghouse" with postings to identify options for farmers and land.

Filer

EIN

41-1466054