Land Stewardship LIVE-WIRE, June 23, 2005
Hello:
This is the 24th issue of "Land Stewardship LIVE-WIRE," the Land Stewardship Project's e-mail newsletter. We send this out periodically to provide an update on activities and information related to LSP's work. We hope you enjoy this service, and are looking for feedback. Please send your comments to Brian DeVore at bdevore@landstewardshipproject.org.
If you prefer not to receive this newsletter, please e-mail lspwbl@landstewardshipproject.org and write, "remove LIVE-WIRE" in the subject line.
IN THIS ISSUE
1) Legislature: Protect Local Democracy During Special Session
2) Join us in Lewiston on Saturday
3) Grazing Workshops in SE Minn.
4) Farm Credit Workshop in July
5) Policy Open House July 14
6) Forage Expo at Miller Farm July 14
7) Farm Beginnings Field Day July 16
8) 'Students & Nutrition' Aug. 18 in Montevideo
9) Minnesota Cooks! Aug. 30 at Minn. State Fair
10) Check the Calendar
11) Supreme Court Rules Checkoff Constitutional
12) Join a CSA Farm Today
13) Support LSP by June 30
14) Believe in Democracy
15) Twin Cities Volunteers Needed
16) New LSL
17) Picture This
18) Worth Repeating
19) Worth Repeating II
20) Join LSP
1) LEGISLATURE: PROTECT LOCAL DEMOCRACY DURING SPECIAL SESSION
The regular session of the 2005 Minnesota Legislature ended on May 23 without passage of the bills that would weaken local government control of development. This is due in large part to the efforts of Land Stewardship Project members who contacted their legislators and let them know how important strong local democracy is. However, factory farming's supporters have not given up and the issue
will come up in the special legislative session, which began immediately after the regular session ended. At this writing, all signs
were that the Omnibus Ag Finance bill will be the vehicle during the special session for attempting to pass language that weakens local control. The original legislation (Senate File 1629 and House File 1732) was an initiative of Governor Tim Pawlenty's Livestock Advisory Task Force, which was dominated by the largest corporate ag interests in the state. Provisions in the legislation undermine
township rights by placing unneeded roadblocks and bureaucratic hurdles in the way of creating local zoning ordinances that affect feedlots. There are several calls you can make today to protect local democracy:
—Call Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson at 651-296-3826. Let Senator Johnson know that you are counting on him to be a leader in keeping township rights strong and to keep the House language that undermines local control out of the Omnibus Ag Finance Bill. Tell him that you want Sen. Gary Kubly's compromise amendment that protects local control passed. If the House will not accept this
compromise then there should be no changes to local control.
—Call Senator Dennis Frederickson, a key member of the Senate Ag and Environment Working Group, at 651-296-8138. Tell him that as a member of the Ag Finance Working Group he should not agree to Senator Steve Dille's new language that guts township powers to enact temporary moratoriums on large feedlots. Ask him to support the amendment drafted by Sen. Kubly that protects local control.
If you have time to call
others on the working group, they are Senators: Dallas Sams, 651-297-8063; Gary Kubly, 651-296-5094; Thomas Bakk, 651-296-8881; and Ellen Anderson, 651-296-5537.
—Call Governor Tim Pawlenty at 651-296-3391 or 800-657-3717. Tell him that Sen. Dille, the Chief Author of his Livestock Siting bill (Senate File 1629), has proposed new language that dramatically weakens local control by gutting the power of townships to enact temporary moratoriums on large feedlots. The Governor needs to let all the members on the Ag Finance Working Group know that
he does not support this language and that it should not be offered as an amendment. If it is offered, the Governor's office must testify against it; to do otherwise would indicate support for Dille's language.
For more information on what's happening at the Minnesota Legislature, see our special report in the new Land Stewardship Letter (coming to a mailbox near you). You can also contact LSP's Bobby King at 507-523-3366 or Paul Sobocinski at 507-342-2323.
2) JOIN US IN LEWISTON ON SATURDAY
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch will be one of the keynote speakers at "Food, Family and Farming," a Land Stewardship Project celebration Saturday, June 25, at the farm of Dale and Carmene Pangrac near Lewiston. Everybody is welcome to this event, which will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will include a hog roast/potluck, farm tour and silent auction. For LSP members, tickets
are $10 for adults, $5 for kids and $30 for a family. Non-member prices are $20 for adults, $5 for kids, and $50 for a family. You can become an LSP member at the event. People are encouraged to bring a dish to share and homemade goods for the silent auction. This promises to be an excellent way to celebrate the onset of summer through fun, farming and food. Reservations are strongly encouraged
to guarantee a seat. Call LSP's Lewiston office at 507-523-3366 to reserve tickets. Click here for details.
3) GRAZING WORKSHOPS IN SE MINN.
A series of grazing management workshops will take place in southeastern Minnesota this summer with Howard Moechnig, state grazing specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Profitable Livestock Production by Better Understanding of Pasture Management" will be covered in three-hour sessions either on a farm or at agriculture service center offices. The fee for each
is $10. Pre-registration two weeks prior to each session is required because space is limited.
For locations and to register, call Diana Strain, Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation and Development, at 507-281-1959, ext. 4. For other information, contact Caroline van Schaik in LSP's Lewiston office by calling 507-523-3366.
Here is the workshop schedule:
-July 11: Livestock Watering Systems, 1 p.m.-4 p.m
- July 18: Livestock Watering Systems, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
- July 25: Strategies for Maximizing Forage Production, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Aug. 1: Fencing for Livestock/ Sensitive Area Identification and Management, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Aug. 8: Fencing for Livestock/ Sensitive Area Identification and Management, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
4) FARM CREDIT WORKSHOP IN JULY
A workshop on "insiders tips" to sustainable farm credit will be offered by LSP in two locations next month. The eight-hour training will take place July 8-9 in the western Minnesota community of Montevideo. It will be repeated in southeast Minnesota July 15-16 at Whitewater State Park near Altura. The fee is $20 per family for LSP members; nonmembers pay $25. The fee covers materials
and food. Lou Anne Kling, director of
Granite Falls’ Neighbors United Resource Center and a member of LSP's Board of Directors, will be the primary instructor.
The workshop stems from LSP's Farmer/Lender survey work, which quantified the need for better record-keeping by farmers in need of credit (click here for more on this work). This workshop will address aspects of both record keeping and loan applications, with a goal of better preparing farmers to manage their farming as a business and feeling confident
when they enter a bank. Cash flows, balance statements, credit card ratings and bank packets for loan applications will be covered.
For details, contact Caroline van Schaik in southeast Minnesota at 507-523-3366 or Michele Skogrand in western Minnesota at 320-269-2105.
5) POLICY OPEN HOUSE JULY 14
The fourth annual Policy Program Open House/Cookout will be Thursday, July 14, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 2919 42nd St. E. in Minneapolis. As in the past, there will be good company, good conversation and good food. There will also be a short program with a policy and organizing update and opportunities to take action for people and the land. For more information, call 612-722-6377 or e-mail
mcmahon@landstewardshipproject.org.
6) FORAGE EXPO AT MILLER FARM JULY 14
Pasture renovation, getting the most out of the Conservation Security Program, disease control in pastured cattle, forage improvement, and creek-side riparian grazing will be some of the topics discussed during the Southeast Minnesota Forage Exposition Thursday, July 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Dan and Cara Miller farm near Spring Valley, Minn. There is no charge for this event, and a
free beef sandwich and ice cream meal will be provided. For more information, call Dan Miller at 507-346-2261 or 507-346-7875.
To get to the Miller farm, go one and a half miles east of Spring Valley on Highway 16, and one and half miles north on the gravel road between Hyland Motors (Ford tractor dealership) and the white Amoco tanks.
LSP members Dan and Cara Miller have a grass and forage-based cattle operation. During the past several years, the Millers’ annual field day has become one of southeast Minnesota's most popular venues to learn about the latest in managed rotational grazing and forage production.
7) FARM BEGINNINGS™ FIELD DAY JULY 16
There will be a Farm Beginnings™ field day Saturday, July 16, at One Sun Farm near the southwest Wisconsin community of LaFarge, Wis. This field day, which is free and open to the public, will feature Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) production & permaculture. For more information and directions, contact: Laura Borgendale
or Cathy Twohig at 320-269-2105.
8) 'STUDENTS & NUTRITION' AUG. 18 IN MONTEVIDEO
The connections between fresh, local food and improving the physical and mental health of school children will be discussed during a special meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Montevideo Community Center, 550 First Street, SW. There is no charge for this event; a free-will donation will be taken to cover the cost of refreshments. For more information, contact LSP's Montevideo
office at 320-269-2105.
The featured speaker at this meeting will be Margaret Adamek, Special Projects Director for the University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. Adamek's experience includes working on the impact of contemporary diet on brain biochemistry and its applications to public health concerns like alcoholism, obesity, diabetes and depression. For more information about efforts to promote
a local food system in the region, see www.prideoftheprairie.org. For more on the connections between fresh, local foods and student behavior, see www.feingold.org/PF/wisconsin1.html.
9) MINNESOTA COOKS! AUG. 30 AT MINN. STATE FAIR
The third annual Minnesota Cooks! event will be Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Minnesota State Fair. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the State Fair's Carousel Park (near the Grandstand). This event will showcase local farmers and feature Twin Cities chefs preparing Food Alliance-certified products. For more information, contact the Food Alliance at 651-265-3684.
10) CHECK THE CALENDAR
The summer calendar of events is hotter than a tractor seat in July. For the latest on meetings, field days and other activities, check out the LSP calendar.
11) SUPREME COURT RULES CHECKOFF CONSTITUTIONAL
In a move that surprised farmers and legal experts, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the USDA in the challenge against the mandatory beef checkoff. Mandatory checkoff programs subsidize industrial agriculture to the detriment of family farmers, which is why LSP and other organizations that belong to the Campaign for Family Farms oppose these prorgams. For a special statement
reacting to the high court's decision, click here.
12) JOIN A CSA FARM TODAY
A sure sign summer has arrived: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms have begun delivering fresh vegetables, launching a season-long celebration of food and making connections to the land. There are still a few CSA farms in the region that have membership slots left. One of the newest CSA operations serving the area is the
Women's Environmental Institute CSA Farm in North Branch, Minn. For more information on that and other CSA farms, see the LSP's 2005 Twin Cities Area CSA Directory. For information on getting a free paper copy, call Louise Arbuckle at 651-653-0618 or e-mail her at lspwbl@landstewardshipproject.org.
13) SUPPORT LSP BY JUNE 30
Gifts from our members are critical for our work to protect the long term capacity of the land to produce healthy food for us all. If you have been meaning to renew your membership or join for the first time--now is the time. June 30 is the end of our fiscal year and we need to know if we can count on the continued support of our members. You can renew
on-line or renew by calling us at 651-653-0618.
14) BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY
After hearing France Moore Lappé speak in Winona this past February, we were inspired to think about the many ways that Land Stewardship Project embodies living democracy. The result was a special appeal letter that most of you should have received that tells the story of ninth grader Kayla Koether's trip to Washington D.C. with her dad Greg and 12 other farmers from Minnesota, Iowa,
Illinois and Ohio. In addition to telling you more about the LSP sponsored D.C. "fly-in" in March, the letter also highlights the other creative ways that our members and our programs are strengthening our democracy through citizen action. This very important work requires funds, however, and so the letter also asks you to consider a special gift above your membership (or to renew
or join, if you did not have a current membership). To make a gift and learn more about all of these efforts—including a commentary Kayla wrote for her local newspaper about her trip, as well as details on our federal policy priorities—click here.
15) TWIN CITIES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
LSP's office in White Bear Lake needs volunteers one day a week. The duties range from general administrative to event planning. If you're interested, please contact Cathy Eberhart at 651-653-0618 or e-mail her at cathye@landstewardshipproject.org.
16) NEW LSL
The latest edition of the Land Stewardship Letter is headed to your mailbox literally as you read this. This issue features a look at organic agriculture, including an innovative farmer co-op that's taking charge of the market. We also have the latest LSP news and an analysis of this year's Minnesota Legislature, along with book reviews and profiles of farmers
who are taking a fresh approach to agriculture.
17) PICTURE THIS
Life on the Farm is the theme of the latest LSP Stewardship Gallery show. Thanks to everyone who submitted work for this show. An announcement about the deadline and theme for the next show is in the new LSL.
18) WORTH REPEATING
"Muriel and I believe in trying to keep farmers on the land. In spite of the fact that we lose excellent help each time a young producer leaves our farm, we just keep challenging and encouraging them to get out on their own." --LSP member Dan French, quoted in a recent Successful Farming article on his family's experience as mentors to beginning farmers
(www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/ag-sfonline-0507transitions.xml&catref=ag9030)
19) WORTH REPEATING II
"But this isn't about a township versus a big dairy operation. This is about a township protecting its people. It's about a township doing what the people want. It's about democracy." — Kerry Schroeder, a Ripley (Minn.) Township officer, talking in the Star Tribune newspaper about his community's fight to protect local control
20) JOIN LSP
The work of LSP, including the LIVE-WIRE, is supported by the donations of people like you. To become a member, give a gift membership, or donate an extra gift above your membership, click here. If you have questions about membership, contact cathye@landstewardshipproject.org.
LSP_LIVE-WIRE is Land Stewardship Project's e-mail newsletter. To unsubscribe or to change your options or password visit: http://www.communityforum.net/mailman/listinfo/lsp_live-wire.
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