19. George Boody, past director of Land Stewardship Project

Sustainable Agriculture Policy with Ron Kroese

“We want to get continuous living cover, or perennial agriculture, more animals on the land. We have to really get that happening with farmers as much as possible. So that when the change in policy comes, they’re ready for it. They’re receptive to it, they’re ready to go, rather than fighting it.” -George Boody

This week, George talks with our host, Ron Kroese, about taking care of the land through conservation, diversifying the landscape, and water quality. Additionally, the conversation touches on organic agriculture, crop insurance reform, rotational grazing, and more.

George recently retired as Science and Special Projects Lead of the Land Stewardship Project, a nonprofit with headquarters in Minneapolis. Before 2016, he was the Executive Director for 23 years of the Land Stewardship Project.

While serving as Executive Director, George led the Land Stewardship Project through significant expansion of its work into three main areas: policy and organizing, beginning farmer training and community based food systems. The organization gained national attention for its work on sustainable agriculture and family farm issues during George’s tenure.

Prior to the Land Stewardship Project, George was an early leader in the organic farming movement. He has a master's of science degree in horticulture and human nutrition and a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Minnesota. George has deep roots in rural Minnesota, where his mother grew up on a farm and his father was a doctor.

The interview was conducted on Dec. 3, 2015.

Links this episode:

National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive (video link)
Land Stewardship Project

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