LSP Announces Dave Serfling Memorial Fund
for Sustainable Agriculture Education

Fund Honors Sustainable Ag Leader, Who Died 1 Year Ago This Week

CONTACT: Karen Stettler, LSP, 507-523-3366; stettler@landstewardshipproject.org
Mark Schultz, LSP, 612-722-6377; marks@landstewardshipproject.org

1/11/07
LEWISTON, Minn.—The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is now accepting applications for the Dave Serfling Memorial Fund for Sustainable Agriculture Education. The fund’s money is available to participants in and graduates of LSP’s Farm Beginnings® program. The fund can also be used to cover the cost of enrolling in the Farm Beginnings course, as well as for continuing education opportunities, such as classes, workshops and conferences.

Dave Serfling was a southeast Minnesota farmer and sustainable agriculture leader who, at the age of 46, was killed in an automobile accident on Jan. 8, 2006. Serfling, along with his wife Diane and children Hannah and Ethan, raised crops and livestock in Fillmore County. Over the years, the Serflings were recognized locally and nationally for their stewardship ethic and use of innovative farming systems such as antibiotic-free pork production.

As a key member of LSP’s Federal Farm Policy Committee, Serfling helped develop the template for a revolutionary farm program that would reward farmers for producing positive environmental benefits on the land. The idea took shape as the Conservation Security Program (CSP), which is now part of the federal farm program.  He traveled to Washington, D.C., numerous times over the years to make the case to policymakers that agricultural policy reforms were needed. Serfling also wrote extensively about the need for such reforms, as well as about his own family’s love of farming. 

A believer in lifelong learning, Serfling received his master’s degree in agriculture shortly before his death after taking classes at Iowa State University for nearly two decades. The Serfling family helped beginning farmers by serving as Farm Beginnings mentors and field day hosts.

The nationally-recognized Farm Beginnings course provides participants an opportunity to learn firsthand about low-cost, sustainable methods of farming. Farm Beginnings participants learn goal setting, financial planning, business plan creation, alternative marketing and innovative production techniques. In the past decade, over 260 people have graduated from the program—60 percent of whom are farming.

“This fund is a fitting tribute to Dave, who believed in sustainable family farming as well as the positive future agriculture could offer young people and our communities,” said Mark Schultz, Director of the Land Stewardship Project’s Policy and Organizing Program.

Detailed information on applying to the Dave Serfling Memorial Fund for Sustainable Agriculture Education is available below. More information is also available by contacting Karen Stettler at 507-523-3366 or stettler@landstewardshipproject.org. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made at www.landstewardshipproject.org/index-joinus-donations.html (go to “Special Gifts”). For more on Farm Beginnings, see www.farmbeginnings.org, or call 507-523-3366 in southeast Minnesota and 320-269-2105 in western Minnesota.

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Applying to the Dave Serfling Memorial Fund
for Sustainable Agriculture Education

Dave Serfling was a southeast Minnesota farmer and sustainable agriculture leader who, at the age of 46, was killed in an automobile accident on Jan. 8, 2006. Dave, along with his wife Diane and children Hannah and Ethan, raised crops and livestock in Fillmore County. Over the years, the Serflings were recognized locally and nationally for their stewardship ethic and use of innovative farming systems such as antibiotic-free pork production.

As a key member of LSP’s Federal Farm Policy Committee, Dave helped develop the template for a revolutionary farm program that would reward farmers for producing positive environmental benefits on the land. The idea took shape as the Conservation Security Program (CSP), which is now part of the federal farm program.  He traveled to Washington, D.C., numerous times over the years to make the case to policymakers that agricultural policy reforms were needed. Dave also wrote extensively about the need for such reforms, as well as about his own family’s love of farming. 

A believer in lifelong learning, Dave received his master’s degree in agriculture shortly before his death after taking classes at Iowa State University for nearly two decades. The Serfling family helped beginning farmers by serving as Farm Beginnings mentors and field day hosts.

The purpose of this fund is to support continuing education by eligible beginning farmers that supports their farming enterprise and/or their community service related to sustainable agriculture.  Appropriate uses of the funds would include attending a conference; taking part in a training; or participating in a less formal educational experience (i.e., attending a fly-in to Washington D.C. to meet with policymakers or touring marketing co-ops formed by family farmers).

To apply:

1.  An eligible applicant must be a graduate of Farm Beginnings® and indicate their graduation year, location and facilitator.

2.  Applicants must include information on the conference, class, training or other educational experience they wish to participate in (provide a web address if possible; otherwise send a brochure or other printed material).

3.  Prepare a statement of need that includes how this specific conference/class/training will meet your needs on your farm or community and how you will share the information you learn with others.  Please provide the cost of the continuing education for which you are applying, and state the dollar amount you are requesting.

4.  If you are applying for a less formal educational experiences please provide: the purpose of the educational experience and how it will address the needs of your farm and/or community.  Please also briefly describe what it entails – for example, who will be visited, for what period of time, what you want to learn, any organizations or group leaders that are involved, and a detailed budget, including costs to be incurred and the dollar amount you are requesting for help.

5.  E-mail (preferred) application materials to: Karen Stettler:  stettler@landstewardshipproject.org

Otherwise, you can send the application to:
Karen Stettler
Land Stewardship Project
P.O. Box 130
Lewiston, MN 55952
507-523-3366
507-523-2729 (fax)

6.  Allow at least two weeks for the Scholarship Committee’s reply.