A workshop entitled, “From Entomology to Economics: Building Soil Health with Jonathan Lundgren” will be offered by the Land Stewardship Project in three southeastern Minnesota locations March 5 and 6, according to a press release.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 5 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston St. in Caledonia, Lundgren will present alongside a farm panel featuring local Minnesota farmers. This workshop will also take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 6 at Lion’s Community Center, 105 Broadway St. in Goodhue. The cost is $15 per person, $10 for an additional farm partner and $30 per family, which includes a noon meal featuring a local foods lunch.

An additional presentation by Lundgren, co-sponsored with the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. March 5 at Riverland Community College’s west campus cafeteria, 1900 Eighth Ave. NW in Austin. Look for LSP signs. Registration and a light supper will be provided at 5:15 p.m. There is no entry fee for this evening event, however, free-will contributions will be accepted to cover costs. To register for any of the three workshops by March 3, contact LSP’s Alex Romano at 507-523-3366 or aromano@landstewardshipproject.org.

A challenging and provocative presenter, Lundgren is an agroecologist, entomologist and beekeeper, the release stated. He received his PhD in entomology from the University of Illinois in 2004 and was a top scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service for 11 years. Lundgren’s research and education programs focus on assessing the ecological risk of pest management strategies and developing long-term solutions for regenerative food systems. Together with his family and laboratory team, he began Blue Dasher Farm in 2016 in South Dakota. The farm raises livestock, crops and bees.

Lundgren will present on his team’s efforts to:

• Research ecologically-based pest and farm management solutions that reduce disturbance and increase biodiversity.

• Educate farmers, the public and future scientists on regenerative farming practices.

• Address the financial feasibility of regenerative agricultural practices on a working farm.