Land Stewardship Project's Ear to the Ground Podcast

What do you do when your county has the highest cancer rate in the state and the local river experiences a catastrophic fish kill? Denise O’Brien, Larry Harris, and their neighbors responded by asking an important question: “What’s in the water?” (4th in a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • Nishnabotna Water…  Read More →

Making sure 600,000 people are consistently consuming water that meets health standards for nitrates is Amy Kahler’s job. That’s a big challenge when the land upstream is some of the most productive crop ground in the country. (3rd in a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • 1st in the “Nitrates, Farming, and…  Read More →

Nutrient management expert Matthew Helmers has researched how certain land use practices can have a “disproportionate impact” when it comes to nitrate pollution reduction. He says it all starts with focusing on a simple mantra: “always be growing.” (2nd in a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • 1st in the “Nitrates, Farming,…  Read More →

The MPCA’s Justin Watkins sees nitrates leaking out of farm fields as an “invisible” problem that’s all too easily ignored. The solution is to shine a spotlight on widespread systems changes in agriculture. (1st in a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • 2nd in the “Nitrates, Farming, and Water” LSP podcast series:…  Read More →

Paul and Trudi Schaefer always assumed they would live out their lives on the farm they built up over several decades. When they realized they needed to move on, their first step was to take LSP’s Farm Transition Planning Course. More Information • LSP 2027 Farm Transition Course • LSP Land Transition Tools • LSP…  Read More →

Connecting directly with eaters is a priority for pastured-based livestock farmers Ellen and Jim Gardner. So how do they balance growing their market with keeping face-to-face relationships intact? More Information • Gardner Family Farm • LSP’s Community-Based Food Systems Page • LSP’s Soil Health Page • LSP’s Farm Beginnings Page You can find LSP Ear…  Read More →

When a federal immigration crackdown came to rural Minnesota, farmer Bridget Lux knew she had to do something. When she walked into a community meeting, she realized she wasn’t the only one looking to take action. More Information • Contact Information for LSP Organizer Nick Olson • Immigrant Defense Network • LSP Blog: Equipping Communities…  Read More →

Jordan and Rachelle Meyer had burning questions about how to pursue a new milk production path without upsetting their “three-legged stool.” So they invited members of an LSP Soil Health Hub onto their farm to debate the options.  More Information • Wholesome Family Farms • Meyer Podcast — Ear to the Ground 255: Embracing the…  Read More →

“How do I make this pasture pay?” beginning farmer Heidi Eger asked a group of fellow graziers during an LSP Soil Health Hub gathering. They answered by measuring out an ideal paddock and putting pen to paper. More Information • Radicle Heart Farm • Ear to the Ground 265: Diving into Safer Waters • Soil…  Read More →

Chad and Melissa Crowley are using managed rotational grazing, soil health, and solar arrays to create a good energy flow on the dairy farm they’re transitioning into. They are also utilizing LSP’s Soil Health Hub to field a few burning questions and recharge their batteries. More Information • LSP’s Soil Builders’ Network • Blog: Soil Health…  Read More →