Land Stewardship Letter, No. 2, 2023

Membership Update The 2023 Twin Cities Cookout & Potluck: No Major Milestones, Just a Really Nice Time

Murphy exuded her mantra, “The politics of joy,” as she described the ways her background in organizing has contributed to her success as a legislator. First a nurse, and always an organizer, Senator Murphy unNonetheless, 2023 was an historic year of derstands deeply how human health and the

By Elizabeth Makarewicz organizing, and the Cookout on Thursday, health of our planet are intertwined, which July 27, at LSP’s Minneapolis office, was happened to be the perfect theme to connect a refreshing reminder of all we’ve accomome of our most beloved events with the next speaker. plished. Once again, Twin Cities members take on a life of their own — we Queen Frye, an urban farmer and educaand allies came together around a shared look back fondly on formative motor, smoothly transitioned the program to a love of community, good food, and an inments that led to lifelong friendships, career personal story of growth and change through spiring message. changes, or even great ideas transformed LSP’s Farm Beginnings course (see page From picnic blankets and tables dotted into lasting policy. However, under the scru27). Deeply concerned about the health across LSP’s office building yard, attendees tiny of the cold, hard facts, our perception of disparities experienced in her community heard from a slate of inspiring speakers who these events may turn out to be bigger than because of environmental racism, in 2019 shared varying perspectives on LSP’s work. life.

Queen and her partner, Michael Kuykindall, To kick things off, board chair Beth Slocum Such is often the case with the annual founded the urban farm and nonprofit orgawelcomed LSP’s new executive director, Twin Cities Cookout and Potluck. To the nization, R. Roots Garden, in North MinScott Elkins. Just a month or so into the job, hardworking Land Stewardship Project staff neapolis. The pair grow loads of delicious Scott was eager, but perhaps a tad nervous, and volunteers who put this event on, every vegetables on vacant lots, all while connectabout representing LSP at one of the organiyear feels like the Best Year Ever. Surely we ing with neighbors and providing apprenzation’s signature events. Nerves appeared raised more money than ever in 2009 thanks ticeship opportunities for local youth. Along to be brushed aside as Scott thoughtfully to an especially lively silent auction? Or the way, Queen and Michael have learned a gave attendees a glimpse of his background broke an attendance record in 2022 with our great deal by finding community with other and path to LSP. “Food with dignity” is the 40th Anniversary celebrations?! farmers, both urban and rural, near and far, phrase he used to describe his ethos on food As the lead organizer for the Cookout, and have especially appreciated the structure systems work, and he recognized the many each year, I’ve dutifully updated the number and mentorship provided by Farm Beginways that LSP has represented that perspecqualifier ahead of the Cookout’s title, startnings. Queen wrapped up the program with tive in its pursuit of policies and programs ing in 2018 with the “17th Annual Twin Cita hopeful nod to the future of LSP’s work, that support the well-being of people and the ies Cookout & Potluck.” Having skipped the and a call to LSP leaders and all present to planet. event in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, deepen their commitment to unraveling the th The mic was then passed on to steadfast simple math would make 2023 our 20 structural inequities that prevent neighborLSP ally and accomplished organizer, MinCookout, right? hoods like North Minneapolis from enjoying nesota State Senator Erin Murphy. Senator The truth is, I may be guilty of false adfull health and prosperity. vertising. I started writing this article A pressing reminder of the challengas a 20-year retrospective. Since I ing work ahead hung over this year’s knew the first Cookout predated my Cookout: climate change. July 27 was time at LSP, I enlisted the help of a representative sample of the summer LSP managing editor and unofficial as a whole — record-breaking heat historian, Brian DeVore, to confirm that led to a heat advisory for the day, the year of the first Cookout. Turns and it hadn’t rained in weeks. Attenout, the earliest evidence Brian could dance was lower than usual, and a few find of the Cookout is 2004. Which precautionary measures were in place to makes the 2023 Cookout a not unimhelp attendees beat the heat, including a pressive, but somewhat less noteworsprinkler hose that was much enjoyed by thy, 17th event. the youngest attendees.

Why the long-winded Myth BustDespite the unfavorable condiers: Cookout Edition? Hopefully, to tions, 161 LSP members and supportremind us all (myself included) that ers showed up, won some pies, danced LSP’s work is so much more than a along to some groovy tunes by the Brass number can communicate. Whether Messengers, adapted to the heat, and th it be our 40 year organizing, or our had a nice time. The LSP community, 41st, every year is a good year to th celebrate our commitment to keeping This was the 17 time people gathered for LSP’s Twin Cities Cookout, see page 35…

Cookout and Potluck. (LSP Photo) the land and people together.

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No. 2, 2023

The Land Stewardship Letter