Part of LSA’s Effort to Move Priorities for People and the Land Forward at the Local Level
9/19/24
HINKLEY, Minn. — Land Stewardship Action issued the following statement announcing its endorsement of Brenna Doheny, running for Pine County Soil and Water Conservation Board District 3.
“We are proud to support Brenna in her campaign to represent the people of Pine County. We share a common vision for vibrant, growing rural communities and sustainable agricultural practices. If elected, we look forward to working with her to offer solutions at the local level,” stated Emily Minge, Political Organizer for LSA. “By focusing on local government, LSA aims to build participation and engagement in all levels of government. We know that there is so much power and possibility at the local level of government and we want to foster connections and understanding of how our values can be put into action.”
Brenna Doheny, PhD, MPH, is an environmental health scientist passionate about advancing a holistic approach to health and healthcare. She is active with Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, an organization that inspires and activates Minnesota health professionals to address climate change through interprofessional education, clinical practice, and public advocacy and currently serves as Chair of its Board of Directors.
When asked why she’s running, Brenna said, “through my training and ongoing work in research and education in environmental health sciences, I see the interconnection of human health and the health of all life on the planet. I want to help my Pine County community manage our soil and water resources to protect our health and wellbeing for generations to come. I want to know what farmers and landowners in my district are experiencing when it comes to things like how climate change is impacting their land and how market fluctuations are impacting their livelihood, and what resources and policies would make a difference in helping them to adapt and thrive. I have had the privilege of caretaking an 80-acre family woodland property in Pine County for the past six years, and have developed a deep love of the land and a sense of responsibility to be a good steward. I have also developed an appreciation for this community and how innovative, hardworking, and generous the people are. I want to use my knowledge, skills, and passion for environmental health in service of this community.”
Regarding the endorsement, Brenna shared, “I have a great respect for the Land Stewardship Project and all of your work promoting sustainable food systems. Access to ethically produced, health-promoting food is critical for supporting healthy lives, and protecting the land through sustainable agriculture practices is critical for ensuring that current and future generations have that access to health-promoting food. I’m proud to be endorsed by Land Stewardship Action and hope to work with you in my role as Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor to advance our shared values and goals.”
To earn Land Stewardship Action’s endorsement, Brenna sat down and spoke with a Land Stewardship leader and cleared an internal vetting process with LSA’s Political Committee and Board of Directors.
This year, leading up to the fall elections, Land Stewardship Action is focusing on engaging members, supporting candidates, and building power at local levels of government. This includes elected County Commissioners and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors. This is a direct response to feedback from those in LSA’s base, as they feel most directly impacted by local government bodies. More information on LSA’s 2024 election initiatives and endorsed candidates may be found here: www.landstewardshipaction.org
Contact: Emily Minge, LSA, eminge@landstewardshipaction.org, 612-400-6353