Selected Articles from the LAND Newsletter
President's Report - New President's Commemts
By Don Berge, LAND President
Greetings from your newly elected LAND President for 2004. I’d like to commend out-going president Richard Volk for a job well done. Hopefully, his high level of energy and ability to budget time will continue with me.
My wife Terry and I live on a farm that my dad started in l934. Terry works as a paraeducator in an elementary school. Our two children are: our daughter, Krista, an NDSU junior; our son, Layne, an eighth grader.
Our involvement in LAND began as a result of a tree. That tree grew out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by sunflowers which served as a blackbird safe haven. That tree was growing on wildlife easement land. On a day in l993, a state NCRS representative assisted by an Americorp paid volunteer, informed me during an on-site wetland discussion that I could be fined and/or imprisoned if I cut down this tree! This type of intimidation was quite troubling to say the least. It was through LAND that I learned of easement summaries. As a result, I became educated and our property rights were identified.
2004 will undoubtedly have many issues that can have a profound impact on our property rights. Carbon sequestration, the farm bill conservation provisions, conservation easements, land accessibility, watershed boards, and countless other issues will likely be confronting property rights this election year. Interaction between our members and the board of directors is a necessary ingredient for success in responding to these issues.
As committed LAND members, let’s strive to make this our best year ever in recruiting. Our involvement in LAND and the LAND LEGACY FOUNDATION is crucial in withstanding the continuing onslaught on our property rights.
>
