Does regenerative agriculture work here?

So much about farming seems out of our control. From uncertainty in weather patterns to prices for our crops, inputs, and equipment, everything is constantly changing. Regenerative agriculture has gained attention as a way to build resiliency and ensure lasting profits. But what is it? And does it actually work in our region, with our environment and our soils?

Dr. Jonathan Lundgren from Brandt, SD along with Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz of Redwood Falls, MN will visit Ivanhoe on March 10th to share their experiences and talk with local producers.

Dr. Lundgren an agroecologist, director of ECDYSIS Foundation, and CEO for Blue Dasher Farm received his PhD in Entomology from the University of Illinois in 2004, and was a top scientist with USDA-ARS for 11 years. Lundgren received the Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering by the White House. Lundgren has served as an advisor for national grant panels and regulatory agencies on pesticide and GM crop risk assessments. Lundgren has written 107 peer-reviewed journal articles, authored the book “Relationships of Natural Enemies and Non-prey Foods”, and has received more than $3.4 million in grants. In 2020, Forbes magazine featured his work in the article 'Is Regenerative Agriculture Profitable?'. One of his priorities is to make science applicable to end-users, and he regularly interacts with the public and farmers regarding pest and farm management and insect biology.

Grant & Dawn Breitkreutz run Stoney Creek Farm along the bluff of the Minnesota River near Redwood Falls, MN.  Over the past 20 years, they have converted a conventional crop and cow/calf operation into a multi-enterprise regenerative family business.  Their crops have changed from a corn and soybean rotation to at least a three-crop rotation, with covercrops incorporated whenever and where ever possible in their 100% no-till cropping system. Their overall goal is to heal the land, create a successful and enjoyable multi-generational family business, and ensure that future generations have a beautiful legacy to carry on the family farm. Their story is featured in a short film by Farmer's Footprint.

Registration is free and a wholesome, locally sourced breakfast will be provided by Legacy Bistro and Redwood River Farms along with locally roasted coffee and water. Doors open at 9:00am with the program beginning at 9:30am.

Address: Lincoln County VFW, 116 Saxon St, Ivanhoe, MN 56142

This event is hosted in partnership between the Sustainable Farming Association and the Minnesota Soil Health Coaltion and is sponsored in part by Millborn Seeds and the Lincoln County Soil Water Conservation District. Click here for a printable flyer.

SFA staff and volunteers occasionally take photos during our workshops, cafe chats and field days for promotional purposes and to use as documentation of events to share with our funders.  If you do not wish to be photographed, please let our event host know -- we'll make every effort to make sure you are not photographed.