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Their grandparents did it, their parents did it, they do it, and now they are teaching their kids to do it, too.
“They say big is more efficient, but if you put a value on letting parents work with children ... ” Greg paused while explaining his theory with his wife in his backyard garden. “Well, I can’t put a value on teaching them how to put up fence or drive a straight stick.”
The organic dairy farmers from Lewiston will host the Land Stewardship Project’s 25th anniversary celebration Sunday. They are 20-year members and have embraced the ideology of the White Bear Lake-based nonprofit organization: Don’t put into the land anything you wouldn’t eat.
Founded in 1982 by a family farm activist and a former National Farmers Union vice president, the Land Stewardship Project was inspired by the writings of Aldo Leopold and Wendell Berry. Originally focused on combating soil erosion, the project’s scope has expanded to include programs such as New Beginnings, which helps new farmers enter the business.
Today, the Ericksons practice sustainable agriculture, or low-impact farming that focuses on minimizing soil erosion and increasing water quality.
They plant hay, corn, oats and soybeans in 100-foot contour strips, which help control water runoff. They don’t use herbicides or pesticides; instead, they’ve learned to use fly zappers, geraniums, garlic and cinnamon. They don’t use antibiotics on their cows.
Twenty years ago, the Ericksons joined because they had high nitrates in their well and were concerned about their animals health.
“There was a real callousness out there and no awareness of what was going on,” he said. “What we learned wasn’t that earthshaking, and we didn’t use the word organic. It was more, how do we stop soil erosion? Now, it’s to save the family farm.”
If You Go:
What: Land Stewardship Projects 25th anniversary “Food, Family and Farming” celebration
When: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Erickson Farm, 255526 County Rd. 25 in Lewiston
Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members, $5 for kids age 6-12, free for 5 and younger
- hog roast and potluck, farm tour, hayrides, petting zoo, 10th graduating class for Farm Beginnings
- bring own plates and utensils
