In 2006, we received an invitation from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to partner on a new attraction at the Minnesota State Fair. The Eco Experience would be the largest, and longest public event focused on sustainable living in the country. The ask to us was to design and coordinate an engaging experience on sustainability in food and agricultural systems. And we said yes!
The Eco Experience is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year! And we're back with cooking demos by local chefs, sampling by farmers and foodmakers, the Veggie Grand Prix, and more. Check out the line-up.
Our theme this year is Bird-Friendly Farming. Did you know there was such a thing? You will be fascinated to learn the ways that farmers are incorporating bird-friendly practices that are mutually beneficial for the farmers and the birds.
The Savanna Institute, Seven Sundays, Wild Farm Alliance, and Green Lands Blue Waters are lead partners with us this year. And we couldn't do this without our wonderful volunteers who make this experience possible.
Hope to see you at the fair!
—Jan Joannides, Executive Director
From Farm Beginnings® to Farmland AccessFor most beginning farmers, building a successful farm takes more than determination andhard work—it takes knowledge, experience, resources, guidance, and the right people alongside you.
Take Minneapolis farmer Elyssa Eull. After working on vegetable farms for a few years, Elyssa knew she needed additional skills to run a farm business. She enrolled in the Land Stewardship Project's year-long Farm Beginnings® program, where she refined her goals, developed business and marketing skills, and built relationships with other farmers and agricultural professionals. In 2022, she put those skills to work at California Street Farm on a small leased lot in Northeast Minneapolis.
But Elyssa wanted to expand—and own a farm of her own. Through the Farmland Access Hub, she connected with Laura Cullip, a Farmland Access Navigator with Renewing the Countryside. Elyssa and Laura have been working together since early 2026, and Elyssa hopes to purchase her first farm by the end of this year.
One of the most rewarding parts of our work is being part of a network that builds on one another's strengths to help farmers succeed. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is one of the wonderful partners in that network.
The deadline to apply for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class is September 1. This highly praised program is a great way for beginning farmers to take the next step in their farm journey.
Read more about Elyssa's story and these programs here.
A Wonderful Summer Evening!
We were delighted by the turnout for our Summer Fundraiser at Dodge Nature Center—and by all those who participated from afar through the online auction, donations, auction contributions, and simply spreading the word. Together, you helped us raise more than $27,000, exceeding our goal!
For me, the best part was spending a beautiful summer evening with so many wonderful people—old friends and people I was meeting for the first time. We heard directly from farmers, partners, and staff about the impact this work is having; enjoyed music from our friends Mary Duchene and Nick Jordan; watched kids make art and race vegetables in the Veggie Grand Prix; and shared delicious local food and drinks.
The auction was another highlight, with contributions from many friends who have been “renewing the countryside” for years—from Richard Bresnahan pottery to experiences at Squash Blossom Farm, Keepsake Cidery, Wintermoon Dogsledding, and many more.
A special thank you to Lakewinds Co-op and West Central Initiative Foundation for their generous sponsorship, and to everyone who contributed auction items, beverages, food, time, and support.
We're closing the book on this year's event—but already looking forward to gathering again next summer!
- Jan
Lukas Robinson
This summer, Lukas Robinson has been an intern with Doubting Thomas Farms and RTC. The idea and plan were the vision of our long-time friend and partner Noreen Thomas who applied for and was selected to host an intern through the Fargo-based PaY Program.
Lukas and Noreen have spent the summer welcoming teenagers experiencing homelessness to Noreen's family farm for weekly adventures.
They’ve fished, gardened, explored the farm, and worked on building a wood-fired oven—with welding still to come. The farm has become a place where the teens can try new things, learn new skills, and simply have room to be themselves.
Noreen says the greatest reward is hearing them ask, “What can we learn next?”
And the adventures won’t end with summer—snowshoeing, sledding, and more are already being planned.
Noreen credits Lukas for making this "experiment" work so well. "Lukas' hard work, patience, willingness to jump into anything, and ability to roll with our adventures have made such a difference," she says.
Lukas is headed back to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore year in political science and he’ll be joining us at the EcoExperience at the State Fair!
Minnesota Farmers Union and Midwest Agriculture Conservation Network
Last month staff member Gilbert Schwartz was featured by our friends at Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) as part of a great series of Conservation Advisor Spotlights. Read the full interview and learn about other MN Conservation Advisors here. That same link will take you to MFU's excellent Conservation Agriculture Events tracker and Equipment Rental Dashboard.
Gil's work with us began through an innovative partnership with the Midwest Agriculture Conservation Network (MACN). MACN is a six-state network of organizations working together to help more farmers access conservation programs and implement conservation practices on their land.
Summer is HOT with events and field days! See below for a few RTC is partnering on.
Grazing Field Days with Glacierland RC&D
Glacierland and Renewing the Countryside are hosting a series of grazing field days in WI. From traditional and virtual fencing to integrating honey bees in a grazing system - there's something to come away with for your operation.
Aug. 18, 2026 -- Stern Farm, SULLIVAN, WI
Aug. 18, 2026 -- Schmidt Century Farm, WEST BEND, WI
Aug. 27, 2026 — Bull’s Eye Family Farm, FREDONIA, WI
Sep. 10, 2026 — Bossie Cow Farm, RANDOM LAKE, WI
Sept. 22, 2026 — Old Orchard Farm, CEDARBURG,WI
All these events including descriptions can be found here.
Minnesota Women in Conservation (MNWiC)
Wed, Aug 26, 2026
Zoom
Join MNWiC to learn how Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Pheasants Forever work together as partners with you in conservation.
Renewing the Countryside's 2026 Eco Experience Exhibit
Thu, Aug 27, 2026 – Mon, Sep 7, 2026
This year’s Bird Friendly Farming exhibit highlights how thoughtful agricultural practices can restore and enhance vital habitat for Minnesota’s native farmland birds while helping farmers!
Minnesota Women in Conservation (MNWiC)
Wed, Aug 29, 2026
Graze! Family Field Day
Answer to June Trivia Question:
3,500,000 lbs of Cheese is produced in Wisconsin each year!
give or a take a curd...
August Trivia!
Q: What do you know about Bird Friendly Farming?
A single pair of Tree Swallow parents feed their brood about how many insects before they fledge?
Email your answers to brett@rtcinfo.org and/or look for the chance to answer on Renewing the Countryside's social media. Give us a follow below!
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