Selected Articles from the LAND Newsletter

President's Report - Proposal for Hunter/Landowner Cooperation

By Don Berge, LAND President

Country music singer Kenny Rogers sings "Know when to hold ‘em, Know when to fold ‘em." In my opinion, the time is right to put these words into action for agricultural property owners.

As producers of raw agricultural products and positioned at the bottom of the food chain, we find ourselves at the total mercy of merchandisers. Little control, if any, can be attained at the time of sale since cash flow necessitates the sale at their price.

What card do we hold? What can we do? Will anyone respect our wishes? Who will carry it out? Will we get sued? Will it take much time? How much will it cost? These are just a few of the posed questions.

Frankly, the only card farmers control is access. It’s time we exercise the rights we have and make known what we want in return. In my view, the repeal of Swampbuster is the price that must be paid. We were told that the law was intended for the Florida everglades and the like, but the bureaucrats took control. We were told that a one acre or less slough would be exempted, but no such action has happened.

In retrospect I’ve come to one conclusion, that hunters need farmers, and we need them for game management. Frankly, hunters need us more since Mother Nature will do population control more efficiently in the end. In spite of nature’s effect, I support hunters and/or hunting since I enjoy the sport myself.

Therefore, I propose a simple fall ’04 plan of action which is brief and to the point.

1. Farmers should impose a fee of $10 per hunter with the money donated to Land Legacy Foundation for property rights education.

2. Farmers should submit a property rights petition to each hunter for signature. Such petitions will be delivered to the congressional delegation and the White House indicating the following:

  • a. Permission is required for access to all private property.
  • b. Economic development is desired in rural areas.
  • c. Farmers and hunters demand the repeal of Swampbuster immediately.
  • d. Hunters realize that the fee may be doubled or access may be denied if no supportive action from the government occurs favoring the farmers.

    The only way to gain respect and turn back intimidation by others is to state one’s position and act on it. The threat of further economic decline and population loss is an unacceptable cost that cannot be ignored.

    The Open Lands initiative tells me that the bureaucrats realize that property owners have recognized their rights and are about to act. In the past some easy money has placated us. Let’s play our card and make the bureaucrats fold theirs.