In The News is a source for links to online newspaper,magazine, and radio stories that are about, or mention,the Land Stewardship Project, our programs or members.

To find a particular subject, click on Search at the very top of any page.

• "High crop prices a threat to nature?" is an article published in the Nov. 28, 2011, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It quotes LSP organizer Bobby King discussing the need for agriculture policy that rewards farmers for conservation practices.

• "Urban Farming Laws Could Change in Minneapolis" is a story broadcast by KSTP TV Channel 5 on Nov. 29, 2011. It describes LSP's efforts to promote urban agriculture in Minneapolis, Minn.

• "Zoned for farming" is an article that ran in the Nov. 28, 2011, edition of the Southwest Journal. It describes LSP's efforts to make zoning rules in Minneapolis, Minn., friendlier to urban agriculture.

• On Nov. 17, 2011, Agri News published a package of stories on beginning farmers. The articles described the introduction of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011, which includes several provisions developed by LSP and its allies. The stories also feature two LSP members who have recently launched farming operations.

• In October 2011, KLGR Radio broadcast an interview with LSP organizer Adam Warthesen where he talked about the introduction of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011.

• "Pheasants and other benefits of conserving agricultural land" is an article that appeared in Ron Meador's "Earth Journal" column on the MinnPost website on Oct. 24, 2011. It describes how LSP is working to promote working lands conservation in farming areas.

• "From desk job to Winona's Herbal Turtle Farms" is an article and video that was posted on the MinnPost website on Oct. 6, 2011. It describes the efforts of LSP Farm Beginnings graduate Bryan Crigler to launch his own farming enterprise.

• "Troubled Waters: One year later, more trouble ahead" is an article that was posted on the Twin Cities Daily Planet website on Sept. 19, 2011. Written by LSP staffer Brian DeVore, it describes the state of water quality in the Mississippi River basin a year after it first emerged that the University of Minnesota attempted to censor a film on agricultural pollution.

• "Helping the Next Generation of Farmers & Ranchers Get Started" is a story that was broadcast by the Public News Service on Oct. 24, 2011. It describes LSP's support for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011, which was recently introduced in Congress.

• "Promoting Farming & Habitat at Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Opener" is a story that was broadcast by the Public News Service on Oct. 14, 2011. It describes LSP's efforts to promote working lands conservation as a way to improve wildlife habitat in farming areas.

• "Immigrant farmers seek sustainability" is an article that was posted on the Twin Cities Daily Planet website on Oct. 7, 2011. It describes LSP's efforts to reach out to immigrant farmers in Minnesota.

• "U researcher offers ideas to feed world without ruining planet" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 13, 2011, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes a paper published in the journal Nature and authored by University of Minnesota researcher Jonathan Foley. The paper describes what Foley thinks needs to be done to balance food production with environmental sustainability. The Star Tribune article quotes LSP organizer Adam Warthesen: "Our food system is largely fashioned to benefit the largest industrial agriculture interests, and runs directly contrary to a sustainable and healthy food system."

• "Farming method helps land...and wildlife" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 19, 2011, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes the efforts of LSP members Audrey Arner and Richard Handeen to balance profitable food production with wildlife habitat restoration utilizing working lands conservation.

• "Massey farm earns U of M honor" is an article that appeared in the Aug. 2, 2011, edition of the White Bear Press. It features LSP member Dave Massey, whose operation received the 2011 Ramsey County Farm Family of the Year award from the University of Minnesota.

• "Teens dig into gardening project" is an article that appeared in the Oakdale/Lake Elmo Review on July 13, 2011. It describes LSP's efforts to help start the Cimarron Youth Garden in Lake Elmo, Minn.

• "Eagle Bend farmer travels to Washington promoting beginning farmer programs" is an article that appeared in Agri News on July 7, 2011. It features LSP member and Farm Beginnings graduate Nolan Lenzen, who participated in a fly-in to Washington, D.C., organized by LSP. During the fly-in, Lenzen and other participants talked to policymakers about the importance of supporting beginning farmer initiatives in the next Farm Bill.

• "Group lobbies for more federal aid for beginning farmers" is an article that appeared in the July 4, 2011, edition of Agweek. It describes a beginning farmer policy fly-in to Washington, D.C., organized by LSP. It also describes how creative initiatives could help all types of beginning farmers from across the country.

• "Interview with Nolan Lenzen" was broadcast in June 2011 by KLGR Radio in Redwood Falls, Minn. In the interview, LSP member Nolan Lenzen described his experiences during an LSP beginning farmer fly-in to Washington, D.C., and how federal policy could help new farmers.

• "Schrandts start grass-based dairy near St. Charles" is an article that appeared in the June 23, 2011, edition of Agri News. It describes how LSP Farm Beginnings graduates Brad and Shelley Schrandt launched their own dairy operation from scratch.

• "Plant, grow, harvest: Bayport gardening consultant nurtures interest in local foods" was published in the June 23, 2011, edition of the St. Croix Valley Press. It features Sara Morrison, a graduate of LSP's Farm Beginnings program.

• "On anniversary, proponents call for GIPSA rule" was published on the Capital Press website on June 23, 2011. It describes how farmer-members of groups such as LSP are calling on the federal government to implement fair livestock marketing rules.

• "CSA's are a growing revolution" is an article published in the June 22, 2011, edition of the Star Tribune. It describes LSP's work promoting Community Supported Agriculture in the region.

• "New farmers to lobby Washington for more investments to foster the next generation of farmers" is an article published in the June 14, 2011, edition of the Daily Journal. It describes a plan on the part of LSP and other groups to travel to Washington, D.C., to lobby for beginning farmer initiatives.

• "Big Plans for 'Our Community Kitchen' " is an article published in the June 11, 2011, edition of the Woodbury Patch. It describes efforts on the part of LSP and other groups in Washington County, Minn., to promote healthy eating through an initiative called "Our Community Kitchen."

• "Protect our investment in land conservation" is a guest commentary that appeared in the April 14, 2011, edition of the Des Moines Register. Written by LSP Associate Director/Policy Director Mark Schultz, the commentary argues that government funding for farm conservation programs is not a luxury during tough economic times.

• "To sell for top dollar?" is an article that appeared in the March 23, 2011, edition of the Houston County News. It describes Look Who's Knockin, LSP's one-act play about the next generation of family farming.

• "Washington County pushes support for local produce farmers" appeared in the March 5, 2011, edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. It describes LSP's work in the St. Croix River Valley to promote the consumption of fresh, local foods through such systems as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

• "Rural organizing meeting held in Little Falls" is an article that appeared in the March 3, 2011, edition of the Morrison County Record. It describes an LSP/Citizens Organized Acting Together (COACT) meeting on various state and federal policy issues.

• "LSP members gather in St. Paul" is an article that appeared in the March 3, 2011, edition of Agri News. It describes LSP's sixth annual Family Farm Breakfast and Day at the Capitol.

• "Working Farms for Wildlife" is an article that appeared in the March-April 2011 issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. It describes working lands conservation and features LSP member-farmers Bill Gorman and Martin and Loretta Jaus.

• "Farmers to Obama: What's Holding up the GIPSA Rules?" is a story that was broadcast by Public News Service Feb. 17, 2011. It describes LSP's efforts to get the President to implement rules that would make livestock marketing more fair for family farmers and ranchers.

• "'Look Who's Knockin': Play plows through farming issues" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 13, 2011, edition of the Winona  Daily News. It describes LSP's one-act play on transitioning farmland to the next generation.

The Troubled Waters Controversy
On Sept. 15, 2010, it was revealed that University of Minnesota officials had postponed indefinitely the October premiere of Troubled Waters: A Mississippi River Story, a documentary on the dead zone problem in the Gulf of Mexico and how innovative farmers are helping fix it. According to media reports, the decision to yank the film just a few weeks before it was to appear on Public Television and at the Bell Museum of Natural History was made by Karen Himle, the U's vice president of University Relations.

Extensive documentation shows that Himle has deep connections to corporate agriculture, and there are indications that the film was pulled because U of M officials were concerned it would offend supporters of industrial agriculture, despite the fact that it had underwent extensive scientific review.

After the yanking of the film became public, members of the Land Stewardship Project and other concerned citizens from across Minnesota flooded Bruininks' office with telephone calls and e-mails, protesting the censorship, demanding the release of the film and calling for the resignation of Himle. After a week of this kind of pressure, the U of M announced that the film would be shown at the Bell Museum on Oct. 3. and on Twin Cities Public Television on Oct. 5. When they released the film, U of M officials conceded that the film had indeed been vetted properly for its scientific content.

LSP is pressuring U of M officials to answer specific questions about why attempts were made to censor Troubled Waters. We see this as a very troubling example of important scientific information being suppressed by a public land grant institution because it may upset certain members of the agribusiness community.

Below is an ongoing list of media coverage this issue is receiving. LSP will be updating this list periodically. We encourage anyone concerned about free expression and the land grant mission to contact U of M President Robert Bruininks and tell him the way this has been handled is unacceptable, and the only way to start making things right is by answering questions about this issue in a forthright manner.

See our latest Action Alert for more information on how to make your voice heard on this issue.

• On Dec. 10, 2010, the Star Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio reported that Karen Himle, the vice-president for University relations at the U of M, had resigned. The Star Tribune article quotes LSP's Brian DeVore as saying the issues surrounding the Troubled Waters controversy go deeper than one person's conflict of interest. "The U needs to address what was the environment that allowed something like this to take place, and make sure that it doesn't happen again," he said.

• On Dec. 10, 2010, the Minnesota Daily and Twin Cities Daily Planet reported on the University's undertaking of an "internal review" of the way the Troubled Waters controversy was handled.

• On Dec. 10, 2010, the University of Minnesota announced the resignation of Karen Himle, the vice-president who attempted to censor Troubled Waters. LSP issued a statement calling the move "an important step toward accountability" and calling on the U of M to undertake a full review of its policies pertaining to academic freedom and conflict of interest. LSP also called for the U to increase research, education and outreach on sustainable and organic farming systems.

• On Nov. 1, the Minnesota Daily editorial board wrote that the recently released Troubled Waters documents "show an administration panicked about how agri-business would react to a film critical of its farming methods" and "reflect what happens when a public university increasingly depends on private money." The editorial board concluded: "As private money and conflicts with that money pervade the University, it needs to implement more safeguards to protect its mission as an institution of public education."

• On Oct. 29, the Land Stewardship Project posted  on its website hundreds of internal U of M e-mails and documents related to the film Troubled Waters. The information, which was obtained through an LSP Data Practices Act request, features correspondence between some of the major players involved in the controversy, including Karen Himle, Robert Bruininks, Al Levine and Kristin Weeks Duncanson.

• On Oct. 28, LSP sent a letter to the U of M Office of the General Counsel requesting information on text that was redacted (see pdf document here) from e-mails before they were released to LSP as a result of a Sept. 20 Data Practices Request. LSP is requesting the redacted information be made public or that in each case U of M officials cite the applicable law or temporary classification that prevents the data from being made public as required by the Minnesota Data Practices Act.

• On Oct. 28, the Minnesota Daily reported on how e-mails released by the U of M show that in April a copy of the Troubled Waters film was given to a top official with the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council by Al Levine, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The newspaper reported that the official, Kristin Weeks Duncanson, wrote in an e-mail to Levine: “The film points at the Farm Bill and government policy as the root to all evil when it comes to the problems with the river. The comments regarding the Farm Bill could be very dangerous for the University."
  
  Levine told the Daily that he didn't see a problem with allowing the film to be reviewed by an official from the Agri-Growth Council. “Nobody said I couldn’t share it with anybody,” Levine told the newspaper. The Daily reported that documents show Barbara Coffin, the film’s executive producer, expressed grave concerns that an unauthorized party had viewed the film without a member of the production team present to answer questions.

• On Oct. 22, LSP posted a Looncommons blog on more of the Troubled Waters e-mails and other documents released by the U of M as a result of LSP's Data Practices Act request. The blog provides an analysis of how U of M officials took steps as early as April 2010 to make sure the film did not offend corporate industrial agriculture interests, even sharing a copy of the movie with a top official at the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council without the filmmakers' knowledge. At one point, U officials drafted up a "crisis communications plan" to inform "agricultural leaders about the film’s broadcast so they are not taken by surprise."

• On Oct. 21 Twin Cities Daily Planet reporter Molly Priesmeyer wrote an analysis of the e-mails and other correspondence related to the Troubled Waters controversy that were obtained through the Data Practices Act. She reports that the documents show: "The University was so deeply concerned with negative reactions from the agriculture community that College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) Dean Al Levine distributed the film to donors and prominent figures associated with big agriculture for feedback in April. Vice President for University Relations Karen Himle at first did not respond to requests from CFANS to view the film and participate in their 'crisis management,' but then was responsible for pulling the film in September, though the U emails reveal a PR team intent on confusing that fact. Some U staff and faculty, including CFANS Dean Al Levine, were concerned that donors would object to the film, but also believed Himle's pulling of the film equated to University censorship."

• On Oct. 20 the Star Tribune published a letter to the editor written by Brad Redlin of the Izaak Walton League of America. The letter describes how a Star Tribune editorial and a separate commentary by U of M researcher David Mulla missed the mark when they attempted to undermine the scientific integrity of Troubled Waters. Redlin's letter discusses a recent University of Illinois study that confirms agriculture and tile drainage create the hypoxic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Writes Redlin: "There is no mystery and can be no debate about what is happening and why. It is not, in the words of the editorial, 'one-sided advocacy' to point out that nitrogen leaks from our agricultural system. Agriculture knows this is commonplace."  

• Minnesota Public Radio reporter Alex Friedrich has posted several of the University of Minnesota e-mails that were released Oct. 15 through a Data Practices Act request. Friedrich has also written a brief analysis of the e-mails. "Despite the university’s assertions that it was responding to the concerns of reviewers, the e-mails give the impression that the film’s harshest criticism came from Vice President for University Relations Karen Himle — the woman who made the call that canceled the film’s television debut. Her ties to agriculture have prompted concerns over a perceived conflict of interest, something the university has denied," writes Friedrich. "She called the film 'propaganda,' an 'organic farming advocacy piece combined with an anti-farm bill agenda,' and appeared to compare it to the work of controversial filmmaker Michael Moore."

• On Oct. 16, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on the U of M's release of an apology on how the Troubled Waters situation was handled. The article, by Tom Meersman, quoted vice-president of University Relations Karen Himle saying, "I am sorry for this mistake, and I accept responsibility for my decisions and actions in this matter." The article described LSP's concerns that Himle is allowed to continue in her position at the U despite her clear conflict of interest when she pulled the film. "Allowing a public relations official to arbitrarily cancel the showing of a publicly funded documentary is inexcusable and demonstrates that academic freedom at the U of M is at risk," LSP staff member Brian DeVore was quoted as saying.
  
  The Oct. 16 Star Tribune article also reported on hundreds of e-mails about Troubled Waters circulated by U officials that were released Oct. 15 as a result of Data Practices Act requests filed by LSP and others. Meersman reported: "Himle, in the e-mails, said she found the film to be too much of an 'advocacy piece for organic farming combined with an anti-farm-bill agenda.' She also wrote that 'I anticipate a legitimately negative response to this from sectors of our ag community.'
   
  The Star Tribune went on to report that the e-mails showed the University was having a difficult time keeping its story straight on the real reason for yanking the film. Noted the newspaper: "Referring to Daniel Wolter, the spokesman who issued most of the statements, one spokesperson wrote: 'Dan has neatly shifted the responsibility away from Karen [Himle].'"

• On Oct. 15, LSP posted a Looncommons blog on the release that day of hundreds of U of M Troubled  Waters e-mails as a result of Data Practices Act requests made by LSP and others. The blog describes how vice-president Karen Himle had no qualms about censoring the film, despite her conflicts of interest and somewhat troubling views on "propaganda."

• On Oct. 13, Barbara Coffin and Larkin McPhee, executive director and producer/writer respectively for Troubled Waters, wrote a commentary in the Star Tribune describing the science that went into the documentary. It was in response to a previous Star Tribune commentary written by David Mulla, which claimed that the film was "marred with inaccuracies." Specifically, Mulla disputes the film's proposal that nitrogen runoff from crop fields is the main culprit in the cause of the Gulf dead zone. Wrote Coffin and McPhee: "Yes, there are other factors that affect the size of the dead zone from year to year, but there is no question that nitrogen runoff from agricultural lands is the primary driver."

• Nationally syndicated agricultural columnist Alan Guebert covered the Troubled Waters controversy on Oct. 10. He wrote that by attempting to censor the film, the "University of Minnesota stepped out of the academic sunshine and into the ignorant darkness..." He described this situation as a prime example of American universities giving highly-paid administrators the power to make decisions that stifle academic freedom and scientific integrity. Land Stewardship Project Associate Director Mark Schultz told Guebert: "Universities can't serve both public and corporate interests for long before they work themselves out of a job."

• On Oct. 10, the Minneapolis Star Tribune's editorial board wrote that the University of Minnesota's mishandling of the Troubled Waters "debacle" was "stunning" and has "stained the reputation of the state's flagship university." The newspaper's editorial board went on to say that a "Muscular new policy and a strong stance on academic freedom by the next [U of M] president are needed to prevent future censorship of projects like the film..."

• The Oct. 7 edition of Agri News included an editorial in which the newspaper's editorial board expressed "serious concerns about the university's actions" related to the attempted censoring of Troubled Waters. The editorial went on to ask that, in terms of agricultural practices, "Does the U of M have a favorite? Is that why they canceled the film?"

• On Oct. 4, the Twin Cities Daily Planet's Molly Priesmeyer reported that despite the fact that the film is now being shown to the public, some serious questions still linger over the U of M's attempt to muzzle Troubled Waters. In particular, she writes that two immediate questions need to be addressed: 1) Why the cover-up for Himle's role in pulling the film? 2) Is it a threat to academic freedom or isn't it?

• On Oct. 4, the Star Tribune reported on a joint LSP/Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy press conference held before the Bell screenings of Troubled Waters on Oct. 3. During the press conference, which was held outside the Bell Museum, LSP and IATP renewed their call for the University of Minnesota to fire vice president for University Relations Karen Himle for her role in attempting to block the documentary's showings. LSP and IATP also called for an overhaul of the U's policies on conflict of interest, and for increased research and education on sustainable and organic agriculture.

• On Oct. 2, the Star Tribune reported that Troubled Waters had been cleared for showing on Twin Cities Public Television during the week of Oct. 4. The article describes how groups like LSP consider the showing of the film an important first step, but that key questions about its attempted censoring still need to be addressed. LSP Policy Program organizer Bobby King was quoted in the article as saying, "Minnesotans need an explanation of how the head of university PR was allowed to stop a movie created with public funds about important issues."

• On Sept. 29, U of M President Robert Bruininks talked about the Troubled Waters controversy with Minnesota Public Radio's Stephen Smith. Bruininks said in the interview that he regretted that the flap over the film had become "public," although he conceded that it was the public outcry over the censoring that had caused the U to reverse its decision. He also said that vice president for University Relations Karen Himle "was doing her job" when she pulled the film.

• On Sept. 29, Minnesota  Public Radio broadcast a story focusing on the chilling effect the censoring of Troubled Waters may have on academic freedom at the U of M. LSP Executive Director George Boody talked about how he's afraid the U of M considered self-censorship to avoid angering farm commodity groups. "It does suggest that there might be a concern about what gets disseminated and what doesn't," he said.

• On Sept. 28, the Minnesota Daily's Jessica Van Berkel and Taryn Wobbema reported that U of M officials may have violated the school's academic freedom policy when they delayed the release of Troubled Waters. According to lawyers in the University's Office of the General Counsel, the film should have been covered by the policy, which prohibits institutional restraint on research and creative expression on matters of public concern. The daily also reported that the University's Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee is "waiting for the administration to clarify how and why the decision was made." Karen Himle, the U's vice president for University Relations and the person who pulled the film from Twin Cities Public Television, "declined to be interviewed about academic freedom," according to the newspaper.

• A front page article in the Sept. 30 edition of Agri News describes the controversy around Troubled Waters and U of M agriculture dean Al Levine's comments that the film "vilifies agriculture." It quotes Jack Hedin, a farmer featured in the film, as saying that director Larkin McPhee appeared to be "a darn impartial observer" when she was on his farm doing filming.

• LSP's Executive Director George Boody wrote a commentary for the Sept. 25 edition of the Star Tribune calling on University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks to undertake a full investigation of how Troubled Waters was initially pulled and to take steps to recommit the University to its land grant mission of conducting research and outreach that is in the public interest. "The quashing of Troubled Waters goes beyond one film or the issues it covers," writes Boody. "It goes to the heart of whether the U is truly a public institution that is 'driven to discover,' even when what is discovered could upset certain special interests."

• On Sept. 24, Public News Service broadcast a story on the Troubled Waters controversy. It quotes LSP member-farmer Arlene Nelson as saying, "Show the film. Let's review it, and then let the public share what they feel about it. It's only fair."

• On Sept. 24, the St. Paul Pioneer Press published a story quoting LSP's Bobby King calling on the University to "come clean" on the Troubled Waters controversy. It also quotes U of M Senior Vice President and Provost Tom Sullivan saying that he and other U officials will "continue to review roles, responsibilities and processes with respect to matters such as this."

• On Sept. 23, the Star Tribune reported that the University of Minnesota had announced it was going to allow the showing of Troubled Waters to go on as scheduled at the Bell Museum. The story describes how LSP and 13 other groups are calling on U officials to conduct a full investigation into why the movie was originally pulled and who was responsible.

• On Sept. 23, LSP's Looncommons blog provided a detailed description of how the University of Minnesota has shifted its explanation of why Troubled Waters was pulled and who gave the order.

• On Sept. 22, the Minneapolis Star Tribune published a story in which LSP called for the resignation of Karen Himle, the U of M's vice president of University Relations. In the article, LSP called Himle's cancellation of the premiere of Troubled Waters an "outrageous affront to science in the public interest."

• On Sept. 21 the Twin Cities Daily Planet's Molly Priesmeyer wrote that she had viewed the film Troubled Waters at the offices of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR). She found that rather than "vilifying agriculture," the film actually makes an extra effort to show that farmers are providing real solutions to water quality problems. "In fact, it is the farmers in the film who are showcased as leading-edge inventors helping to come up with ways to decrease both soil run-off and dependence on massive applications of nitrogen and other fertilizers," writes Priesmeyer.

• On Sept. 21, MinnPost media critic David Brauer described how in 2008 vice president of public relations Karen Himle was involved in the review of a U of M magazine article critical of ethanol. The article was eventually killed.

• On Sept. 21, the Minneapolis Star Tribune published a story in which Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) director Susan Thornton said, "I think [Troubled Waters] presents a balanced approach. I think it might also speak to some things that people don't want to know about or think about."

• On Sept. 21, the Minnesota Daily editorial board questioned why the vice president of public relations, Karen Himle, had any say in the film's scientific validity, especially considering her conflicts of interest related to corporate agriculture.

• On Sept. 20, LSP filed Minnesota Data Practices Act requests with the University of Minnesota asking for the release of all documents/communication pertaining to the decision to cancel the Troubled Waters premiere. LSP also asked for the release of the film itself.

• On Sept. 20, the Minnesota Daily published a story quoting Greg Cuomo, associate dean for extension and outreach at the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture, as saying of the Troubled Waters film, "They made agriculture look very bad." In this same article, two funders for the film, the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and the McKnight Foundation, said they found the film "quite balanced" and scientifically accurate.

• On Sept. 17, the St. Paul Pioneer Press published a story describing the connections between U of M vice president of public affairs Karen Himle and the Agri-Growth Council.
  

• KARE 11 TV broadcast a story on the controversy Sept. 17. It featured an interview with LSP's Associate Director/Director of Policy, Mark Schultz, describing why farmers and other members of the public deserve to see this film.

• LSP's Looncommons blog covered this issue on Sept. 17, describing the connections between Karen Himle and corporate agriculture and laying out key questions that University of Minnesota officials need to answer concerning this issue.

• The Daily Planet published a follow-up article on Sept. 17 describing how the yanking of the film has raised concerns with a major funder, the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

• On Sept. 17, Minnesota Public Radio broadcast a story featuring comments from Al Levine, Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture. In the story, he claims that Troubled Waters "vilifies agriculture."

• A Sept. 16 Star Tribune article features comments from LSP staff member Brian DeVore questioning why the U of M's public relations department made the decision to pull the documentary.

• Click here to read the original Sept. 15 Twin Cities Daily Planet article that broke the story on the canceling of the Troubled  Waters premiere. It outlines, among other things, the deep connections Karen Himle has to corporate agriculture.
  

• "MN Farmers Testify: Livestock Concentration Unfair to Us" is a story broadcast by Public News Service on Aug. 27, 2010. It describes testimony given by LSP member-farmers at a Department of Justice/USDA workshop on concentration in the livestock industry.

• "Farmers uniting to rein in corporate control" is an article that appeared in the Aug. 26, 2010, edition of the Granite Falls Advocate Tribune/Redwood Falls Gazette. It describes an LSP farmer-meeting on concentration and corporate control in the livestock markets.

• "Food, family, farming: 150 gather to celebrate sustainable agriculture" is a story that appeared in the Aug. 16, 2010, edition of the Winona Daily News. It describes LSP's 2010 southeast Minnesota celebration/annual meeting.

• "Next generation going back to the land" is an article that appeared in the July 3, 2010, edition of the Winona Daily News. It describes how LSP's Farm Beginnings program is helping people in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin get started in farming.

• "Ridgway cultivates farm-to-school program" and "Students, community tend garden at Ridgeway Community School" are articles that appeared in the June 17, 2010, edition of Agri News. They describe LSP's work with a rural school to get more locally produced food served in the cafeteria, and how a bill proposed in Congress by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum could help such efforts.

• "Program helps beginning farmers get started" was broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio June 14, 2010. It features LSP's Farm Beginnings program.

• "Hoophouses help farmers extending their growing season" is a video posted by Minnesota Public Radio on June 4, 2010. It features LSP member Loon Organics.

• "CSP rewards conservation on working lands" and "June 11 is end of next CSP ranking period" are articles that appeared in the May 27, 2010, edition of Agri News. They feature farmer Tom Nuessmeier, who is a member of LSP's Federal Farm Policy Committee.

• "Staying on the Land" is a story broadcast by television station WXOW 19 in La Crosse, Wis., on Feb. 27, 2010. It features an interview at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference with Nick Olson, an organizer with the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings® program.

• On Jan. 5, 2010, LSP and Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North America released a report called "The Syngenta Corporation & Atrazine: The Cost to the Land, People & Democracy." The report and a letter sent by LSP and PAN to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson received extensive media coverage:

    - "MN Farmers Call on EPA for Safety Review of Weed Killer" was broadcast by Minnesota News Connection/Public News Service on Jan. 5, 2010.

    - "Midwest Farmers Led by LSP Ask EPA to Review Atrazine" was broadcast by WNAX Radio on Jan. 5, 2010.

    - "Farm groups urge careful atrazine study: More-independent EPA review sought" was published by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press on Jan. 6, 2010.

    - "The Sins of Syngenta -- New Report calls for atrazine review" was published by Grist on Jan. 6, 2010.

    - "Stewardship group calls for transparent investigation of atrazine" was published by The Country Today on Jan. 6, 2010.

    - "EPA Urged To Reject Biased Syngenta Studies in New Atrazine Review" was published by AgroNews Jan. 8, 2010.

    - "Atrazine getting new scrutiny from EPA" was published by the Lincoln Journal Star on Jan. 10, 2010.

    - "Atrazine not irreplaceable tool" is a commentary that was published in the Jan. 13, 2010, edition of Iowa Farmer Today. It was written by LSP members Bonnie Haugen and Dennis Johnson.

    - "Another Look at Atrazine" is a story that was broadcast on the Jan. 29, 2010, edition of Living on Earth, a program produced by Public Radio International. It describes the LSP/PAN report and letter. It also features LSP organizer Paul Sobocinski.

• On Nov. 3, 2009, the Land Stewardship Project hosted Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan on the farm of Eric and Lisa Klein in Elgin, Minn. After touring the farm, Merrigan announced the first Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grants. LSP spearheaded development of BFRDP, which is a national USDA program. Merrigan's visit and grants announcement received extensive media coverage:
    
    - "Minnesota farmers host USDA Beginning Farmer grant announcement" appeared on Agriculture Online, Successful Farming's website, on Nov. 5, 2009.

    - "USDA Dep. Secretary Honors MN Farmers, Hands out Future Farmer Grants" was broadcast by Public News Service on Nov. 4, 2009.

    - "USDA grants focus on beginning farmers"appeared in the Nov. 11, 2009, edition of The Country Today.

    - "The value of giving beginners a boost" appeared in the Nov. 4, 2009, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin.

    - "Bill Boyne: Programs want to get younger farmers into the field" appeared in the Nov. 11, 2009, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin.

    - "Grants for New Farmers" was broadcast by KAAL TV on Nov. 3, 2009.

    - "Ag Department announces $17M for new farmers" was broadcast by KTTC TV on Nov. 3, 2009.

    - "Organizations receive federal aid to help first-time farmers" was broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio on Nov. 3, 2009.

    - "USDA awards $17 million in grants to train beginning farmers and ranchers" was published by Farm and Dairy on Nov. 3, 2009.

    - "Beginning farmers to get help from USDA" appeared in the Nov. 5, 2009, edition of the Winona Daily News.

    - "USDA announces $17M for new farmers, ranchers" appeared in the Nov. 3, 2009, edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

    - "Grants announced for beginning farmers" appeared in the Nov. 5, 2009, edition of Southeast Farm Press.

    - "USDA announces $17M for new farmers, ranchers" appeared in the Nov. 3, 2009, edition of the Kansas City Star.

• On Sept. 30, 2009, the radio program "It Takes a Village" featured a discussion on the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program. Featured guests were LSP Farm Beginnings organizer Karen Stettler and farmer Bill McMillin, who serves on the Farm Beginnings steering
committee.

• "Your turn: Program targets conservation" is a commentary on the Conservation Stewardship Program that appeared in the Sept. 19, 2009, edition of the St. Cloud Times. It was written by the Land Stewardship Project's Federal Farm Policy Committee.

• "Your View: Suspend government credit for hog expansion" is a letter-to-the-editor that appeared in the Sept. 12, 2009, edition of the Mankato Free Press. It was written by Land Stewardship Project member-farmer Joel Penner and calls for an end to government-backed loans that help large hog operations expand at a time when oversupplies of pigs are already a problem.

• "Couple keeps local foods movement local" appeared in the Sept. 10, 2009, edition of the Dunn County News. It features Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings graduates Mike and Jody Lenz.

• "Savories to be part of 'Dine Local' event" appeared in the Sept. 10, 2009, edition of the Stillwater Gazette. It describes a few of the participants in the 2009 St. Croix River Valley Dine Fresh Dine Local event, which was coordinated by Buy Fresh Buy Local and the Land Stewardship Project.

• "Community Supported Agriculture thrives around Osceola, Wis." appeared in the Sept. 2, 2009, edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. It features several LSP farmer-members.

• "Gorman excited about options in new CSP program" appeared in the Aug. 20, 2009, edition of Agri News. It features LSP Federal Farm Policy Committee member Bill Gorman.

• "Beginning farmer profile: Course helps area couple make farm fantasy into reality" appeared in the Aug. 19, 2009, edition of the Tri County News. It features Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings graduates Erin and Joe Yanish.

• "What's Up With Our Food?: Safety and Nutrition vs. Cheap Vittles" is a program that ran on KFAI radio's "Truth to Tell" program Aug. 19, 2009. It featured LSP member-farmer Atina Diffley, along with LSP Community Based Food Systems staff members Sarah Claassen and Tom Taylor.

• "Revamped program pays farmers for conservation work" appeared in the Aug. 18, 2009, edition of The County Today.  It features LSP Federal Farm Policy Committee member Matt Urch.

• "Matt Fendry honored by Organic Valley Family of Farms" appeared in the Aug. 6, 2009, edition of Agri News.  It features LSP Farm Beginnings graduate Matt Fendry.

• "Organic farmers hope trucks increase business" was broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio July 22, 2009.  It features LSP member Jack Hedin and Featherstone Fruits and Vegetables.

• "ORGANIC OASIS" is an article that appeared in the May 5, 2009, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It discusses how LSP members Loretta and Martin Jaus have made their dairy farm into a wildlife haven.

• "The Twin Cities CSA Scene with Brian DeVore" is a podcast that was posted July 27, 2009, on the Mostly Vegetables blog. It features LSP's Brian DeVore talking about the development of Community Supported Agriculture in the Twin Cities region.  

• "Organic farm grows more than milk" is an article that appeared in the June 12, 2009, edition of the Mankato Free Press. It features LSP members Martin and Loretta Jaus.

• "A Sticky Situation for Pollinators" is an article that appeared in the July-August 2009 edition of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. It describes how increasing diverse habitat on farmland, among other places, can help pollinating insects. It was written by LSP staff member Brian DeVore.

• "Organic farmers raise quality of dirt on their farm" is an article that appeared in the May 16, 2009, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin. It features LSP member-farmers Lonny and Sandy Dietz of Elba, Minn.

• "Three dairy producers say they like their low-cost parlors" is an article that appeared in the May 15, 2009, edition of Agri News. It describes a Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings® tour of low-cost dairy parlors.

• "More consumers buy local produce" is an article that appeared in the March 5, 2009, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes the growing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement in the Twin Cities region, and cites information provided by LSP members and staff.

• "Frantzens say their farming method works for them" and "Frantzens didn't let obstacles stand in their way" are two articles that appeared in the March 5, 2009, edition of Agri News. It describes the contributions to sustainable agriculture made by LSP members Tom and Irene Frantzen, who were given the "2009 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year" award.

• "LSP breakfast serves up good food, discussion of rural issues" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 26, 2009, edition of Agri News. It describes the 2009 LSP Family Farm Breakfast at the Capitol.

• "GreenSpace: Sustainable farming operation prospers" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 10, 2009, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin. It describes the farming operation of Eric and Lisa Klein, who are graduates of LSP's Farm Beginnings program.

• "Farm Living" (Subsidized by a Job Elsewhere)" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 8, 2009, edition of the New York Times. It quotes Amy Bacigalupo and Robin Moore. Bacigalupo is an organizer for LSP's Farm Beginnings program, and Moore is a Farm Beginnings graduate.

• A report released by LSP and other members of the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment in December 2008 received national media coverage. Industrial Livestock at the Taxpayer Trough exposes how industrial hog and dairy operations are subsidized through the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). It received coverage in, among other places, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Twin Cities Daily Planet, In Motion Magazine, Grist Magazine and Market to Market, Public Television's weekly agriculture program.

• "FARMING 101" is an article that appeared in the Dec. 22, 2008, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes the success of the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program at getting more beginning farmers started on the land.

• "Local food's toughest customers" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 6, 2008, edition of MinnPost.com. Written by LSP staff member Brian DeVore, it describes how a small town meat processing facility is promoting local foods.

• "Cultivating the homegrown economy from field to fork is sound" is a commentary that appeared in the April 24, 2008, edition of Agri News. It was written by Terry VanDerPol, Director of the Land Stewardship Project's Community Based Food Systems and Economic Development Program.

• "U of M poised to hire more ag specialists" is an article that appeared in the April 24, 2008, edition of Agri News. It describes how the University of Minnesota is using increased funding to hire new positions, including specialists who will focus on organic and sustainable agriculture. Land Stewardship Project members and staff were integral in obtaining legislative funding for these initiatives and worked with the University to get them established.

• "Editorial -- More research into organic, sustainable ag is a great idea" is an editorial that appeared in the April 24, 2008, edition of Agri News. It lauds the University of Minnesota's announcement that it is increasing support for sustainable and organic agriculture initiatives. Land Stewardship Project members and staff were integral in obtaining legislative funding for these initiatives and worked with the University to get them established.

• "U of M plans to increase organic, sustainable ag research presence in state" is an article that appeared in the April 24, 2008, edition of Agri News. It describes the University of Minnesota's plan to create new resources and programs for sustainable and organic agriculture. Land Stewardship Project members and staff were integral in obtaining funding for these initiatives and worked with the University to get them established.

• "From field to table" was the title of a Minnesota Public Radio Midmorning broadcast on March 27, 2008, that featured the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings® program. Audrey Arner, who farms in western Minnesota and serves on the Farm Beginnings steering committee, was a guest on the show.

• "Back to the farm: Program aims to beef up farming in the state" is an article that ran in the Feb. 1, 2008, edition of the La Crosse Tribune. It features Andrew and Ana Skemp, participants in the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program.

• "U of M needs whole farm approach" is a commentary that appeared in the Jan. 3, 2008, edition of Agri News. It was written by Land Stewardship Project Executive Director George Boody.

• "Fendry talks about Farm Beginnings Program" is an article that was published in the Dec. 13, 2007, edition of Agri News. It describes how the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program helped Matt Fendry get started in dairy farming.

• "Franzen, county may meet soon" is an article that was published in the  Nov. 26, 2007, edition of the Austin Daily Herald. It describes how Land Stewardship Project members in Mower County, Minn., helped uncover a scandal involving a feedlot officer and a large swine producer.

• "Community joins hands in raising barn" is an article published Oct. 14, 2007, in the Rochester Post-Bulletin. It describes a special Land Stewardship Project 25th Anniversary barn-raising that was held on the Brad and Leslea Hodgson farm.

• "Hearing on Atrazine raises questions about use in Minnesota" is an article published Oct. 14, 2007, on the Twin Cities Daily Planet website. It describes a state legislative hearing on LSP member Paul Wotzka and the suppression of research related to the pesticide atrazine.

• "Whistleblower highlights concerns about atrazine" is a story that was broadcast Oct. 11, 2007, on Minnesota Public Radio. It describes how LSP member Paul Wotzka is fighting the government's attempt to suppress his research related to pesticides in water.

• "Fired MPCA scientist returns to testify about Atrazine" is a story that was broadcast Oct. 11, 2007, on KARE 11 TV. It describes how LSP member Paul Wotzka is fighting the government's attempt to suppress his research related to pesticides in water.

• "Atrazine, frogs, and public health" was the title of a Minnesota Public Radio Midmorning program that was aired Oct. 10, 2007. It featured scientist Tyrone Hayes, who talked about the environmental and health threats posed by the pesticide atrazine. Hayes later appeared at a legislative hearing with LSP member Paul Wotzka. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/10/midmorning2/

• "Community comes together to raise barn near Fountain" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 10, 2007, edition of Agri News. It describes a special 25th Anniversary Land Stewardship Project barnraising event at the Brad and Leslea Hodgson farm.

• "Whistleblower Wotzka, legislators and researcher put Atrazine back in spotlight" is an article published Oct. 7, 2007, on the Twin Cities Daily Planet website. It describes Land Stewardship Project member Paul Wotzka's battle with the government over suppression of research related to the pesticide atrazine.

• "Some come to farming via a ‘Green Acres’ path" is an article that appeared in the Sept. 28, 2007, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program.

• "Letter: Contact lawmakers about new farm bill" is a commentary on the 2007 Farm Bill that appeared in the Sept. 6, 2007, edition of Agri News. It is written by farmer and LSP organizer Paul Sobocinski.

• "Neighbors question motives of embattled feedlot officer" is an article that was published in the  Aug. 28, 2007, edition of the Austin Daily Herald. It describes how Land Stewardship Project members in Mower County, Minn., helped uncover a scandal involving a feedlot officer and a large swine producer.

• "Eat fresh - eat local" is an article that appeared in the July-September 2007 edition of Ag Innovation News. It describes efforts on the part of the Land Stewardship Project and other groups to promote local food systems as rural economic development.

• "Food and consequence" is a Q and A with author/farmer Wendell Berry that appeared in the July 11, 2007, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Berry was interviewed while in Minnesota to help LSP celebrate its 25th Anniversary.

• "Creating stewards of the land" is an article that appeared in the June 17, 2007, edition of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. It describes LSP's 25-year history and what it is currently doing to help farmers, rural communities and consumers.

• "Diehn makes a connection on Haugen farm" is an article that appeared in the Thursday, April 12, 2007, edition of Agri News. It describes the internship of military veteran Michael Diehn on the dairy farm of Bonnie and Vance Haugen. Diehn is enrolled in LSP's Farm Beginnings program, and the Haugens are LSP members.

• "Locally grown foods could energize rural economies" is an article that appeared in the April 4, 2007, edition of the Morris Sun Tribune. It describes the "Homegrown Economy: Foods from Local Farms as Economic Development" conference, which LSP participated in.

• "Walz supports LSP Farm Bill priorities" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 23, 2007, edition of the Fillmore County Journal. It describes a meeting between LSP members and U.S. Representative Tim Walz.

• "Teenager Koether is already a veteran Washington lobbyist" is an article that appeared in the March 29, 2007, edition of Agri News. It describes LSP member Kayla Koether's recent trip to Washington, D.C.

• "Encourage new farmers, ag group leader says" is an article that appeared in the March 28, 2007, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin. It describes testimony given to a Congressional subcommittee by Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings director Karen Stettler.

• "Conservation Security Program should be fully funded" is an article by outdoor journalist Babe Winkelman that appeared in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition of the Walker (Minn.) Pilot-Independent. It describes efforts by Bill Gorman and other others to get full support for the Conservation Security Program in the next Farm Bill. Gorman is a member of the Land Stewardship Project's Federal Farm Policy Committee.

• "A Sales Pitch for Farm Habitat" is an article that appeared in the November-December 2006 issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. It features Land Stewardship Project member Bonnie Haugen and describes efforts to improve wildlife habitat on farms using federal agricultural conservation programs.

• "Using Labels to Set Sustainable Tables" is an article that appeared in the Winter 2006-2007 issue of Edible Twin Cities. Written by LSP's Brian DeVore, it provides a primer on various "green" food labels.

• "Why the Farm Bill Matters* (*Yes, even to you.)" is an article on why the general public should care about the federal Farm Bill. It appeared in the Fall 2006 edition of Edible Twin Cities magazine and was written by Land Stewardship Project staff member Brian DeVore.

• "Redesigning Agriculture" is a book review article that appeared in the October 2006 edition of the scientific journal BioScience. It describes ideas for making agriculture more sustainable. It was written by LSP's George Boody and Brian DeVore.

• "Farming green -- and getting punished: Farm policy should reward proven conservation techniques" is an editorial that appeared in the Sept. 20, 2006, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes how Land Stewardship Project members like Dan and Cara Miller are punished by the government farm program for utilizing diversified, sustainable production systems. It also cites a Multiple Benefits of Agriculture study LSP participated in.

• "College grad takes a U-turn with the help of a 10-month course for novice farmers" is a story published by the Winona Daily News on August 25, 2006. It describes how one graduate of the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program is dealing with the realities of dairy farming.

• "Crop subsidies have worldwide impact, says West African cotton farmer" is a story published by the Winona Daily News on April 22, 2006. It describes how LSP and Oxfam America are working to reform the U.S. commodity crop subsidy system.

• "Some question townships' power over agriculture development" is a story broadcast on March 3, 2006, by Minnesota Public Radio. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's efforts to preserve the right of townships to regulate large-scale livestock operations.

• "Couple's dairy dream starts small, but is growing" is an article that appeared in the Nov. 24, 2005, edition of Agri News. It profiles Kevin and Reagan Hulbert, recent graduates of the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program.

• Frances Moore Lappé's talk at a special Land Stewardship Project fundraiser was broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio's Midday program on Nov. 22, 2005. She spoke about her new book, Democracy's Edge: Choosing to Save Our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/programs/midday

• "Conservation efforts can't fall by the wayside now" is a commentary that appeared in the Nov. 3, 2005, edition of Agri News. It was authored by Land Stewardship Project staff member Caroline van Schaik, and it explains why conservation programs like the Conservation Security Program are needed now more than ever.

• "Farmer says lobbying trip was worthwhile" and "Schmeling says he'll watch Washington closer" are two articles that appeared in the Oct. 13 edition of Agri News. They describe a trip to Washington, D.C., taken by Land Stewardship Project members.

• "Green farming faces budget ax" is an article published in the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 6, 2005. It outlines how some members of Congress are trying to gut conservation programs like the Conservation Security Program, and describes how LSP members are implementing sustainable farming practices.

• "Farm Subsidies: A fair plan for saving money" is an editorial that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Oct. 5, 2005. It calls for an agriculture budget that protects conservation while lowering subsidy payments to mega-farms.

• "Forging Strong Roots: Farm Beginnings Helps New Farmers Grow" is an article that appeared in the July-August 2005 issue of the Mix. It profiles the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program.

• "Going Green in Agriculture" is a series of stories first broadcast on National Public Radio in July 2005. They feature Land Stewardship Project members Tex Hawkins and Dave Serfling, as well as the work of the Multiple Benefits of Agriculture initiative and LSP's Federal Farm Policy Committee.

• "Grassroots program teaches, mentors beginning farmers" appeared in the June 23, 2005, edition of The Catholic Spirit. It describes how the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program operates.

• "Beginners build a herd" is an article that appeared in the May-June 2005 issue of Successful Farming magazine. It describes how the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program has helped get dairy farmers established.

• "Sen. Dille's outrage over Land Stewardship Project is misplaced" is a letter that appeared in the Litchfield (Minn.) Independent Review newspaper on June 30, 2005. Written by LSP member Joe Paddock, it is in response to comments made by Minnesota state Senator Steve Dille attacking LSP's grassroots organizing.

• "Perennial crops fill a niche in the landscape" and "Benruds find paddocks help them farm full-time on small acreage" are articles that appeared in the June 23, 2005, edition of Agri News. They describe LSP's work with the Multiple Benefits of Agriculture Project.

• "Letter: Dille's remarks about LSP were deeply disappointing" is a letter-to-the-editor published in the June 16, 2005, edition of Agri News. It was written by Minnesota state Senator John Hottinger. It criticizes Minnesota state Senator Steve Dille for comments he has made blaming the Land Stewardship Project for certain family farm and sustainable agriculture legislation not getting passed.

• "Doug Grow: Puny Township 1, Big Ag 0" is a column written by Doug Grow in the June 11, 2005, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes the efforts of residents of Minnesota's Ripley Township to prevent the construction of a 3,000-cow mega-dairy in the community. It also describes how the residents and the Land Stewardship Project have
been attacked for speaking out on this issue.

• "Cap the subsidies: Get leaner, fairer farm policy" is an editorial that ran in the June 8 edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It calls for capping mega-farm subsidies to protect nutrition and conservation programs.

• "Ag budget should slash waste, not essentials" is a commentary that ran in the May 10, 2005, edition of the Winona Daily News. It is co-authored by LSP member Dave Serfling and calls for an agricultural budget that protects nutrition and conservation programs.

• "Boody responds to questions about what LSP wants for ag" is a commentary that ran in the April 28, 2005, edition of Agri News. Written by Land Stewardship Project Executive Director George Boody, it describes LSP's guiding philosophy and our commitment to grassroots organizing.

• "Mentoring requires patience and a collaborative approach" is an article by Dan Looker, Farm Business Editor for Successful Farming magazine. It appeared on the Agriculture Online website and features Eric Klein, a graduate of the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ initiative, who also has served as a mentor for the program.

• Getting heard on the Hill: Organic and sustainable farmers travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate farm policy reform-and meet with their environmental allies. http://www.newfarm.org/features/2005/0305/DCpolicyreform/index.shtml

• "Our view: Agricultural open houses miss other side of farm issues" is an editorial that ran in the St. Cloud Times on March 15, 2005. It criticizes the "Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition" for not including organizations like the Land Stewardship Project in its meetings about the future of the livestock industry.

• "New report: Livestock farms good for water quality, habitat" is an article that appeared in the Pilot-Independent of Walker, Minn., on March 3, 2005. It describes the results of a Multiple Benefits of Agriculture study, which was coordinated by the Land Stewardship
Project. The results of the study were published in the January 2005 edition of the journal BioScience.

• "Making a point about Bush's budget cuts" is a letter to the editor that ran in Agri News on March 3, 2005. It was written by farmer Dave Serfling, a member of LSP's Federal Farm Policy Committee.

• On Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, two letters appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune under the heading "Farms vs. wildlife." Written by LSP member Carmen Fernholz and LSP Associate Director Dana Jackson, the letters are in response to a Dennis Anderson column on farming's impact on the environment.

• "Feedlot zoning: A new assault on local rights" is an editorial that ran in the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper on Feb. 12, 2005. It criticizes Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's "Livestock Advisory Task Force" and its attempt to weaken local democracy.

• "A Jump Start For Young Farmers" is an article that appeared in the October 2001 issue of New Holland News Online. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program.

• "Dairy farmers gather to back aid for beginners" is an article that appeared in the Jan. 11, 2005, edition of the St. Cloud Times. It describes a legislative proposal to help beginning dairy farmers. The proposal is being pushed by the Land Stewardship Project and other
members of the Citizen Task Force on Livestock and Rural Communities.

• "Changes proposed to spur agriculture" is an article that appeared in the Jan. 11 edition of the West Central Tribune. It describes new legislative proposals by the Land Stewardship Project and other groups.

• "Proposals would give boost to small farms, new farmers" is an Associated Press story published Monday, Jan. 10, 2005, on the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Web site. It describes efforts on the part of the Land Stewardship Project and other members of the Citizen Task Force on Livestock and Rural Communities to promote livestock farming in Minnesota.

• "Need a loan? Help your banker say 'yes' to organics" is an article that appeared in the November-December 2004 issue of The Organic Broadcaster. Written by Land Stewardship Project staff member Caroline van Schaik, it describes the results of a survey involving organic/sustainable farmers, lenders and educators.

• "Are Lenders Missing the Boat When it Comes to Organic and Sustainable Farming?" appeared in the October 2004 issue of Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota (ICBM) News. Written by Land Stewardship Project staffer Caroline van Schaik and agricultural economist Richard A. Levins, it describes the results of a survey involving
organic/sustainable farmers, lenders and educators http://www.communitybanks.org/membership/News_1.htm

• "Activists barred from a meeting on rules for livestock feedlots" is a story that ran in the Dec. 15 edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes how the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office barred citizens from attending a meeting on local governments and livestock operations.

• "Factory farms" is a letter to the editor published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Dec. 2, 2004. Written by LSP Policy Program Director Mark Schultz, the letter calls for reform of federal commodity programs.

• "Fighting for Local Control" is a New York Times editorial that ran on Dec. 2, 2004. It calls Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's Livestock Advisory Task Force recommendations "a blueprint for the destruction of family farming in Minnesota."

• "Food can better link us with farms, farmers" is a commentary that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004. It was written by Land Stewardship Letter editor Brian DeVore and describes the importance of sourcing food locally.

• "Townships petition state to keep power" is an article that appeared in the Nov. 19, 2004, edition of the Austin Daily Herald. It describes an LSP postcard campaign to maintain strong local government powers.

• "Pawlenty gets feedlot message" is an article that appeared in the Nov. 18, 2004, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes how Land Stewardship Project members delivered 5,000 signatures to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office to protest his Livestock Task Force's attempts to weaken local control.

• "What's Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander" is a FoodRoutes "Final Word" column by Alan Guebert that appeared on Oct. 24, 2004. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's work to protect local democracy and family farms.

•"Democracy, farmers united for success" was published in the July 7, 2004, edition of the Rochester Post-Bulletin. It is a column written by Doug McGill that describes efforts by farmer and Land Stewardship Project organizer Paul Sobocinski to protect local democracy.

• "Planning, preparation lead to success for beginning farmers" is an article that appeared on the @griculture Online "Farmers for the Future" Web site. It describes how Mark and Wendy Lange got started in farming after participating in the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program. http://www.agriculture.com/future/advice/040611devorelange.html

• "The checkoff/Let small farmers opt out of fee" is an editorial that ran in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on April 28. The editorial calls on the U.S. Supreme Court to not hear the USDA's appeal of a decision that ends the mandatory pork checkoff. The Campaign for Family Farms, of which the Land Stewardship Project is a member, is working with family farmers of all kinds to end the checkoff. In August and September 2000, hog farmers voted to end the checkoff. Despite farmer opposition to the program, the National Pork Producers Council, USDA and the Bush Administration have worked hard to maintain the checkoff. Two times federal judges have ordered an end to the program, and now the Supreme Court has been asked to step in. The Court will decide if it will hear the case on May 17.

•"Deep-six Alien Ownership; move on to better bills" is an editorial that appeared in the March 18, 2004, edition of Agri News. It discusses why allowing wealthy foreign investors to own Minnesota farmland is not a good idea.

• "Groups seek to preserve local control" is an article that appeared in the March 16, 2004, edition of the West Central Tribune. It describes the "Protecting Township Local Control and Independent Livestock Producers" meeting that was held in Willmar, Minn. LSP co-sponsored the meeting.

• "Farm management instructor tells would-be farmers they can succeed" is an article written by Dan Looker, Farm Business Editor for Successful Farming magazine. The article outlines the comments of Dan Miller, an LSP member who recently spoke at a Farm Beginnings™ class www.agriculture.com/future/advice/040223looker.html

• "Attacks on LSP laughable" is a letter-to-the-editor that appeared in the Jan. 22, 2004, edition of Agri News. It was written by Jim Scaife, a member of the Land Stewardship Project's Board of Directors.

• "Creating Habitat on Farms" is an article that appeared in the Spring 2003 edition of Conservation In Practice, a publication of the Society for Conservation Biology. The article describes the work of the Monitoring Team, an initiative coordinated by the Land Stewardship Project.

•"From Fork to Fork. . . to the Gulf of Mexico" is a review of The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems. The review was published by The New Farm on Dec. 1, 2003. www.newfarm.org/books/reviews/december/nat_habitat.shtml

• "Hotdish meets its match in Willmar" is an article that appeared in the Nov. 21, 2003, edition of the West Central Tribune. It describes a recent local foods meal sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project's Pride of the Prairie program.

• A review of the LSP book, The Farm as Natural Habitat, was published in the November 2003 edition of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics.

• "Twohig no stranger to Land Stewardship" is an Oct. 30 Agri News story that describes the background of Cathy Twohig, the new director of LSP's western Minnesota office.

• "Feds fight stewardship" is an editorial that ran in the Oct. 30, 2003, edition of Agri News. It calls an LSP survey of sustainable farmers "right on" in its conclusions about the barriers posed by federal government policy.

• "Checkoff supporters saddened by decision" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 30, 2003, edition of Agri News. It describes reaction to a Federal Court of Appeals ruling that the pork checkoff is unconstitutional.

• "Unconstitutional Farm Checkoffs" is an editorial that ran in the Nov. 1, 2003, edition of the New York Times. It calls for an end to the mandatory pork checkoff.

• "Desperation still simmers" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 20, 2003, edition of the Star Tribune newspaper. It describes the 20th anniversary of a tragedy in which two rural bankers were gunned down on a southwest Minnesota farm. Land Stewardship Project organizer Paul Sobocinski was interviewed for the article.

• "Road less travelled leads to new Jersey dairy farm" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 9 edition of Agri News. It describes how Matt Fendry, a graduate of the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program, used a Heifer International livestock loan to get started in farming.

• The Summer Edition 2003 of Seed Savers reviewed The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems, which was co-edited by Land Stewardship Project Associate Director Dana Jackson. Several LSP staff and members contributed to this book.

• "Cargill bids for pork unit" is an article that ran in the Sept. 13, 2003, edition of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's efforts to get a ban on packer ownership of livestock made into law.

• "Green gold" is an article that appeared in the Aug. 27, 2003, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes a State Fair event co-sponsored by the Midwest Food Alliance (MWFA). MWFA is a joint initiative of the Land Stewardship Project and Cooperative Development Services.

• "Invest in this farm, eat the return" is an article that appeared in the August 23, 2003, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes the growth of Community Supported Agriculture farming.

• "Farming proved too hard to resist" is a package of stories that appeared in the July 17, 2003, edition of Agri News. They describe the experience of LSP Farm Beginnings™ participants Roger and Michelle Benrud, and how they used a livestock loan sponsored by Heifer International to get started in dairying.

• "New law loosens environmental rules for feedlots" was broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio on June 24, 2003. It describes how Land Stewardship Project members and other rural residents have used the environmental review process to protect their communities, and how the right of petitioning for review has been gutted.
http://news.mpr.org/features/2003/06/24_schmitzr_feedlotrules/

• "Here is the real dirt on LSP" is a commentary written by LSP executive director George Boody for the June 19, 2003, edition of Agri News.

• "Dairy farming in Minnesota can thrive" is an April 25, 2003, commentary that farmer and Land Stewardship Project Board Member Jim VanDerPol wrote for the Minnesota Public Radio Web site's "Soapbox" section. http://forum.mpr.org/WebX?soapboxCommentary@@.ee872f8

• “Creating Habitat on Farms: The Land Stewardship Project and Monitoring on Agricultural Lands” is an article that appeared in the Spring 2003 edition of Conservation In Practice, a publication of the Society for Conservation Biology. It describes LSP’s work with southeast Minnesota farmers and natural resource professionals to develop the Monitoring Project. The article is adapted from The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems (Island Press, 2002). For information on obtaining a copy of the Spring 2003 issue of Conservation In Practice, log onto www.conservationbiology.org/InPractice or call 703-276-2384.

• "Making her dream come true" is an article that ran in the April 24, 2003 edition of Agri News. It features Aimee Finley, a Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings™ participant from southeast Minnesota.

• "Farm Beginnings™ turns dream into reality" is an article that appeared in the April 17, 2003 edition of Agri News. It describes the experiences of a participant in the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program.

• "The state of dairy farming" is a series of stories on Minnesota's dairy industry that was broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio during the week of April 14, 2003. It features interviews with Land Stewardship Project members Dan French and Evan Schmeling, as well as LSP Policy Program Director Mark Schultz. The Minnesota Public Radio Web site also features a commentary by LSP farmer-member Dave Minar.
http://news.mpr.org/features/2003/04/15_galballye_dairyopposition/

• "Group opens market doors for sustainable growers" is an article that appeared in the March 26, 2003, edition of The Country Today. It describes the Midwest Food Alliance eco-label, a joint initiative of the Land Stewardship Project and Cooperative Development Services.

• "Helping Hands" is an article that appeared in the March 2003 issue of Independent Banker magazine. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program.

• "Putting Nature Back into the Farm" is a review of The Farm as Natural Habitat that ran in the Winter 2003 issue of Organica magazine.

• "Food for Thought: Better Bacon" is an article on sustainable pork production that appeared in the March/April 2003 issue of Sierra Magazine. It features LSP farmer-members Tom Frantzen and JimVanDerPol.

• "Partnerships in Agriculture And Conservation" is a review of the Land Stewardship Project's book, The Farm as Natural Habitat. It appeared in the January 2003 issue of the journal Ecology.

• "A way to whitewash factory farms" is a letter to the editor that appeared in the Jan. 16, 2003, edition of Agri News. It was written by LSP's Paul Sobocinski.

• "Hog heaven" is an article on sustainable pork production that appeared in the Jan. 16, 2003, edition of the Star Tribune's TASTE section. It features LSP farmer-members LeeAnn and Jim VanDerPol, Eric and Lisa Klein, and Irene and Tom Frantzen.

• "Peace with earth" is an article that ran in the December 29, 2002, Outdoors section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It features the farm of Land Stewardship Project members Dave and Florence Minar.

• "Reconnecting Farms and Ecosystems--If It Pays" is a review of the LSP book, The Farm as Natural Habitat, that appeared in the Nov. 15, 2002, edition of the journal Science.

• "The Other Political Pork" is an editorial that appeared in the Nov. 10, 2002, edition of the New York Times. It calls for an end to the mandatory pork checkoff.

• "Smart Agriculture" is a review of the LSP book, The Farm As Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems With Ecosystems, which appeared in the November/December 2002 issue of Sierra magazine.

• "Judge Overturns Fee Farmers Pay for Pork Ads" is an article that appeared in the Oct. 28, 2002, New York Times. It describes a major court victory that terminates the mandatory pork checkoff. During the past few years, the Land Stewardship Project and other members of the Campaign for Family Farms have been working with family hog farmers to end the checkoff program.

• "Cream of the Crop" is a review of the LSP book The Farm as Natural Habitat,which appeared in the Oct. 21, 2002 edition of Grist Magazine.

• "Poll finds broad support for family farmers" appeared in the Oct. 10, 2002, edition of Agri News. It describes the results of an opinion poll conducted by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP). LSP is a member of MEP.

• "Suit over smells" is an article that appeared in the Mankato Free Press on Oct. 9, 2002. It describes LSP's involvement in a potentially precedent-setting nuisance lawsuit involving a factory hog farm.

• "Farming Without the Factory" is an AlterNet article that appeared on Sept. 23, 2002. It describes how the Land Stewardship Project and the Midwest Food Alliance are working to bring sustainably-produced livestock products to consumers.
http://AlterNet.org/story.html?StoryID=14154

• "Just Starting Out" ran in the Sept. 26, 2002 edition of Agri News. It is a package of stories on the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings™ program.

• "Farmers Fight Checkoff Rip-Off" is an AlterNet story that appeared on Aug. 27, 2002. It describes efforts by the Land Stewardship Project and the Campaign for Family Farms to end the mandatory pork checkoff tax. www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=13950

• "Manure Matters" is a feature story that appeared in the July/August 2002 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. It features Land Stewardship Project Board member and farmer Jim VanDerPol. www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/julaug02/feedlots.html

•Case is made for small farms is a book review of The Farm as Natural Habitat that ran in the May 26 Des Moines Register.

• "Farmers contribute to book on alternatives" is an article that appeared in the May 7, 2002, issue of Agri News. It describes the Land Stewardship Project's new book, The Farm as Natural Habitat:Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems.

• On April 22, 2002, LSP Associate Director Dana Jackson was a guest on Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning program during a special Earth Day-themed show. Dana discussed LSP's new book, The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems, and fielded call-in questions related to agriculture, food and land stewardship. Listen to the show at http://news.mpr.org/programs/midmorning/listings/mm20020422.shtml

• "Senate debates conservation in farm bill" is a Nov. 5, 2001, Minnesota Public Radio story that describes how LSP member Dave Serfling's diverse farm is penalized by current Federal farm programs. http://news.mpr.org/features/200111/05_losure_senatefarm/.

• "Wellstone hails Farm Bill amendment: Senator speaks at Land Stewardship Project meeting" is an article that appeared in the Jan. 10, 2002, edition of the New Ulm Journal.

• "Factory Farming's Faulty Foundation" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 18, 1999, edition of the High Plains Reader. It was written by Land Stewardship Letter editor Brian DeVore.

• "Gambling on the Karst?" is a story that was broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio on Sept. 10, 2001. It features LSP members Bob and Eloda Wood and discusses the environmental risks large-scale factory livestock operations pose to water quality in southeast Minnesota: http://news.mpr.org/features/200109/10_losurem_karst/

•"Mr. Serfling goes to Washington: Preston farmer testifies before Senate Ag Committee" is a story that appeared in the Aug. 6, 2001, edition of the Filmore County Journal. It describes testimony given recently by LSP member Dave Serfling. www.fillmorecountyjournal.com

•"Dead Zone Puzzle" is an article that appeared in the July/August issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. It describes LSP member Dan Specht's efforts to reduce his farm's contribution to the Gulf of Mexico "dead zone." http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/julaug01/hypoxia.html

• The June 11, 2001, edition of the New York Times featured a front page article entitled " Unpopular Fee Makes Activists of Hog Farmers." The article describes the USDA's overturning of the referendum vote to end the mandatory pork checkoff. LSP and other members of the National Campaign for Family Farms were responsible for bringing the pork checkoff tax to a vote. www.nytimes.com/2001/06/11/national/11PORK.html

• In an article entitled "The Last Farm Crisis," which appeared in the Nov. 20, 2000 issue of The Nation, LSP member Richard Levins is quoted. www.thenation.com/docPrint.mhtml?i=20001120&s=greider

• Minnesota Public Radio broadcast this story on October 9, 2000 on LSP's Farm Beginnings™ program: The Next Wave of Farmers, by Art Hughes
http://news.mpr.org/features/200010/09_hughesa_farmkarma-m/

• As part of Minnesota Public Radio's September, 2000 Fighting the Superbug series, two stories feature LSP farmer-members:Mike Noble in A Race Against Time, by Tom Scheck
http://news.mpr.org/features/200009/25_newsroom_antibiotics-m/scheck.shtml
Larry Olson in Antibiotics on the Farm, by Mark Steil
http://news.mpr.org/features/200009/25_newsroom_antibiotics-m/steil.shtml

• This summer, Time Magazine did a special issue devoted to the Mississippi River, "Down the Mississippi: The Pulse of America." An article on the battle over river traffic, "How Fast Should It Flow?" by Mark Thompson, mentions LSP member-farmer Dan Specht, who has a diverse crop and livestock farm near McGregor, Iowa www.time.com/time/reports/mississippi/river.html

• The Summer 2000 issue of Yes! magazine features "Hog Heaven" an article on farmers who are producing pork sustainably. LSP members Tom Frantzen and Dave Serfling are featured www.yesmagazine.org/14foodforlife/devore.htm

• In the May 2000 issue of BioCycle Magazine, organic farmers Jeff and Pam Riesgraf are featured in "Composting Reduces Fuel and Labor Costs on Family Farms" www.jgpress.com/BCArticles/2000/050072.html

• An article appeared in the January/February 1999 issue of Sierra featuring several LSP members: "Bringing the Land Back to Life" www.sierraclub.org/sierra/199901/goodfarms.asp

Quick Links

Select One ------------------------- Home --About Us --Join Us --Contact Us --Calendar --Gallery --Search ------------------------- News --Press Releases --LSP Letter --Close to the Ground --Multiple Benefits of Ag. --LSP In The News --Commentary ------------------------- Programs --Midwest Food Alliance --Farmers & Consumers --Developing Regional Markets --On Farm Research --Stewardship --Farm Beginnings --Pork Checkoff Campaign --Federal & State Policy --CSP --Fighting Factory Farms --Multiple Benefits of Agriculture --Agroecology ------------------------- Food & Farm CSA Directory Stewardship Food Network Resources

Tel: 612-722-6377

 ©Land Stewardship Project, 2009


back to the top