Membership Update

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

By Elizabeth Makarewicz

Some of our most beloved events take on a life of their own — we look back fondly on formative moments that led to lifelong friendships, career changes, or even great ideas transformed into lasting policy. However, under the scrutiny of the cold, hard facts, our perception of these events may turn out to be bigger than life.

Such is often the case with the annual Twin Cities Cookout and Potluck. To the hardworking Land Stewardship Project staff and volunteers who put this event on, every year feels like the Best Year Ever. Surely we raised more money than ever in 2009 thanks to an especially lively silent auction? Or broke an attendance record in 2022 with our 40th Anniversary celebrations?!

As the lead organizer for the Cookout, each year, I’ve dutifully updated the number qualifier ahead of the Cookout’s title, starting in 2018 with the “17th Annual Twin Cities Cookout & Potluck.” Having skipped the event in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, simple math would make 2023 our 20th Cookout, right?

The truth is, I may be guilty of false advertising. I started writing this article as a 20-year retrospective. Since I knew the first Cookout predated my time at LSP, I enlisted the help of LSP managing editor and unofficial historian, Brian DeVore, to confirm the year of the first Cookout. Turns out, the earliest evidence Brian could find of the Cookout is 2004. Which makes the 2023 Cookout a not unimpressive, but somewhat less noteworthy, 17th event.

Why the long-winded Myth Busters: Cookout Edition? Hopefully, to remind us all (myself included) that LSP’s work is so much more than a number can communicate. Whether it be our 40th year organizing, or our 41st, every year is a good year to celebrate our commitment to keeping the land and people together.

Nonetheless, 2023 was an historic year of organizing, and the Cookout on Thursday, July 27, at LSP’s Minneapolis office, was a refreshing reminder of all we’ve accomplished. Once again, Twin Cities members and allies came together around a shared love of community, good food, and an inspiring message.

From picnic blankets and tables dotted across LSP’s office building yard, attendees heard from a slate of inspiring speakers who shared varying perspectives on LSP’s work. To kick things off, board chair Beth Slocum welcomed LSP’s new executive director, Scott Elkins. Just a month or so into the job, Scott was eager, but perhaps a tad nervous, about representing LSP at one of the organization’s signature events. Nerves appeared to be brushed aside as Scott thoughtfully gave attendees a glimpse of his background and path to LSP. “Food with dignity” is the phrase he used to describe his ethos on food systems work, and he recognized the many ways that LSP has represented that perspective in its pursuit of policies and programs that support the well-being of people and the planet.

The mic was then passed on to steadfast LSP ally and accomplished organizer, Minnesota State Senator Erin Murphy. Senator

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 understands deeply how human health and the health of our planet are intertwined, which happened to be the perfect theme to connect with the next speaker.

Queen Frye, an urban farmer and educator, smoothly transitioned the program to a personal story of growth and change through LSP’s Farm Beginnings course (see page 27). Deeply concerned about the health disparities experienced in her community because of environmental racism, in 2019 Queen and her partner, Michael Kuykindall, founded the urban farm and nonprofit organization, R. Roots Garden, in North Minneapolis. The pair grow loads of delicious vegetables on vacant lots, all while connecting with neighbors and providing apprenticeship opportunities for local youth. Along the way, Queen and Michael have learned a great deal by finding community with other farmers, both urban and rural, near and far, and have especially appreciated the structure and mentorship provided by Farm Beginnings. Queen wrapped up the program with a hopeful nod to the future of LSP’s work, and a call to LSP leaders and all present to deepen their commitment to unraveling the structural inequities that prevent neighborhoods like North Minneapolis from enjoying full health and prosperity.

A pressing reminder of the challenging work ahead hung over this year’s Cookout: climate change. July 27 was a representative sample of the summer as a whole — record-breaking heat that led to a heat advisory for the day, and it hadn’t rained in weeks. Attendance was lower than usual, and a few precautionary measures were in place to help attendees beat the heat, including a sprinkler hose that was much enjoyed by the youngest attendees.

Despite the unfavorable conditions, 161 LSP members and supporters showed up, won some pies, danced along to some groovy tunes by the Brass Messengers, adapted to the heat, and had a nice time. The LSP community, as evidenced by the 2023 Cookout, is hopeful and clear-eyed about the work ahead, and as anyone who was there might tell you, it was probably the best Twin Cities Cookout and Potluck ever. p

LSP membership support specialist Elizabeth Makarewicz can be reached at emakarewicz@landstewardshipproject.org or 612-400-6354.

Membership Questions?

If you have questions about your Land Stewardship Project membership, contact LSP’s Clara Sanders at 612-400-6340 or csanders@landstewardshipproject.org To renew, mail in the envelope included in this Land Stewardship Letter, or see landstewardshipproject.org/join.

New Address?

Has your address changed or do you anticipate moving in the next few months? Take a moment to update your address with LSP so that you can continue receiving the Land Stewardship Letter, event invitations, and other updates. To update your address, see landstewardshipproject.org/address. Make sure you use the same e-mail address you have on file with LSP so your data updates correctly.

Volunteer for LSP

It’s a stone cold fact: the Land Stewardship Project literally could not fulfill its mission without volunteers. Volunteers help us do everything from stuff envelopes and make telephone calls to enter data and set up logistics for meetings. Remote opportunities are available.

Participants in LSP’s 2023 Cookout and Potluck dined on local food, connected with each other, bid on pies, and had a chance to purchase local items via a silent auction. (LSP Photo)