Join us on Lessons From The Land as we sit down with Rachel Gray, the powerhouse behind Little Timber Farms in Blackduck, Minnesota, and 2023 Beltrami County Farm Family of the Year. In this inspiring episode, Rachel shares her incredible journey from kindergarten teacher to successful cattle rancher, managing over 500 F1 baldy heifers through innovative, sustainable farming practices.

Discover how this fourth-generation farmer is revolutionizing beef cattle production with rotational grazing systems, water quality certification, and meticulous cattle breeding programs that connect her with ranchers nationwide. Rachel opens up about navigating multi-generational farming dynamics with her father, Murl Nord, son Nick, and grandchildren, who are already learning the family trade.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

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Join us for a forward-thinking conversation on the future of agriculture in Minnesota with Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. In this episode, we explore how sustainability is shaping the state’s farming industry, from regenerative practices to cutting-edge innovations that balance productivity and environmental stewardship. Whether you're a farmer, policymaker, or sustainability advocate, this discussion will give you valuable insights into how Minnesota is leading the way in sustainable agriculture.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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On this episode of Lessons From The Land, James Pieper shares how he left a suburban life and a career in ag finance to revive his family's Minnesota farm. Hear how drone technology, social media, and community helped him grow as a part-time farmer. A must-listen for anyone passionate about modern farming, ag tech, and rural entrepreneurship.

Check out James on his Instagram at All About Farming

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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In this episode, we’re diving into the heart of conservation in Minnesota with special guest Bill Carter, a passionate advocate for pollinators and sustainable habitats. As the CEO of Prairie Moon in Winona, Minnesota, Bill builds thriving pollinator habitats that support bees, butterflies, and other native species essential to local ecosystems and flourishing agriculture around the state. 

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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In this episode of Lessons From The Land, we dig into one of the most overlooked — yet absolutely critical — components of agriculture: soil. Often dismissed as a "hippie" cause, conservation is undergoing a powerful rebrand, driven by farmers, scientists, and landowners who know that healthy soil is the foundation of long-term productivity and resilience. Guest is Kyle Hildebrandt From the South St. Louis County Soil & Conservation District. 

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Our limited audio series is back with six new episodes and stories in 2025. Join us as we travel around the state of Minnesota, finding farm stories of sustainability

Lessons From The Land is a limited audio series highlighting sustainability efforts by farmers throughout the state. Catch our previous six episodes from 2024 below!

Lessons From The Land is produced for the Minnesota Farm Bureau in partnership with the Minnesota Chapter of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. A division of the USDA. 

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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At the farm level, a sustainable journey from planting, production, and harvest begins with the right partners. To meet the demands of consumers, state and federal agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service help farmers move towards sustainable practices. In this episode, Minnesota State Director Troy Daniell joins host Whitney Pittman-Visser for the last episode of 2024. 

Look for more Lessons From The Land episodes for this limited series in 2025!

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Forest management is tightly connected to agriculture and farming practices. It plays a major role in on-farm sustainability efforts and can be part of farmings sustainability story for consumers. In this episode, we bring on Minnesota State Forester Callie Bertsch.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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The Root River in Southeastern Minnesota is an 80-mile tributary of the Mississippi River and, one of the state's premier trout and recreation rivers. In this episode meet Ron Pagel, a Minnesota farmer who has transformed his dairy and beef farm to ensure on-farm waste isn't transferred to the creek on his farm that runs into the Root River.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Animals need to eat, of course. Land grazing is an important part of sustainable farming. Finding the right mix of feeding farm animals and, just letting them eat the grasses on the land can have major implications for long-term soil and plant sustainability. Guest on this episode is Troy Salzer of the University of Minnesota extension office. Salzer is a 20-year expert on grazing, land management and soil issues. 

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

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