Kiss the Ground Film Showing & Conversation

Scott Haase

Owner

Blue Dirt Farm & Grassfed Cattle Co.

For 6th generation farmer Scott Haase, the most rewarding aspect of work is serving customers who share the values of deeply caring for the land and also for the health and vitality of themselves and their families.

“Talking with a customer who’s somewhere along this path of understanding all these connections and wants more grass and perennial-based agriculture in the world is what fuels me! I get inspired to work harder and work smarter, bringing about greater change and better product!”

Scott’s journey into farming took a few unexpected turns. He initially studied manufacturing engineering and art, exploring career paths outside agriculture. But, even to his own surprise, a strong desire to steward the land and produce food brought him back to his family farm in southern Minnesota. He’s proud of the strides he and his brother have made in adopting soil-building practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage, ensuring the long-term vitality of their land. Yet, Scott’s drive for innovation led him beyond conventional agriculture. As he learned more about our food system’s limitations, he embraced the challenge of raising and selling pasture- and woodland-based meats directly to customers. Grass Fed Cattle Company feels like the natural next step—a way to apply his experience, forge new connections, and offer customers an even greater variety and convenience in accessing delicious, nourishing food.

Mriganka De

Associate Professor of Biological Studies

MSU, Mankato

Dr. De's lab is passionate about agronomy, soil, and environmental science research. The broad theme of my research is to harnessing soil ecology for enhanced ecosystem functions. We design and conduct a wide variety of field and laboratory-based experiments, all focused on the topics areas of soil ecology, soil health, soil biogeochemistry, soil management, soil fertility and plant nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and water quality.