Land purchasing

[dogs]

MARSHALL - Lyon County commissioners got some strong reactions, both positive and negative, to their position on converting cropland to conservation areas at Tuesday's regular county board meeting.

Although there was no county action to be taken on the matter, representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, farmers and area residents all weighed in with their opinions.

In December, commissioners had directed county zoning administrator John Biren to draft a statement saying the board was against sale of tillable land to the DNR.

The statement came in response to news that around 300 acres in Clifton Township was going to be sold for a wildlife management area.

"One individual piece of land is not an issue," said county board chairman Rodney Stensrud, but commissioners were concerned there would be a widespread trend of taking good farmland out of production. "Is it going to be an explosion?"

"Our purpose today is to notify the board that Pheasants Forever intends to purchase land and transfer it to the DNR," said Lyon County Pheasants Forever President David Rabaey. Rabaey said a private buyer, Steve Snyder, had bought land in Clifton Township and was willing to sell it to Pheasants Forever.

A county resolution wouldn't be required in that situation, said Bob Meyer of the Marshall DNR office.

"This is more of an informational type meeting," he said.

Conservation isn't hurting the area economy, Rabaey said. Hunting brings money into southwest Minnesota, and land under CRP contracts can eventually be returned to farming. Furthermore, he said, it's unlikely Lyon County Pheasants Forever will have the funding and willing seller for another big land purchase anytime soon.

Meyer said the DNR would likely farm about 50 acres of the purchased property and do some hay leasing.

"It's not totally taken out of production," Meyer said.

On the other hand, Lyon County farmers said, there are drawbacks to farming near conservation land.

"Farmers basically feed that wildlife," Clifton Township resident Richard Vroman told commissioners.

Dennis Oeltjenbruns told the board he figured crop damage from deer and pheasants has cost him hundreds of bushels of corn and soybeans. While he isn't against hunting, Oeltjenbruns said, "Farmers don't get paid for pheasants and ducks That's something that needs to be considered."

Clifton Township resident Scott Kuecker said he was also concerned about safety if hunting would increase in the area.

Stensrud said that while the board wouldn't be taking action on the issue, it was good to have the discussion.

"Both sides have excellent information," Stensrud said, "But we're also concerned about taking out tillable cropland."

[C10]

Dennis Oeltjenbruns told the board he figured crop damage from deer and pheasants has cost him hundreds of bushels of corn and soybeans. While he isn't against hunting, Oeltjenbruns said, "Farmers don't get paid for pheasants and ducks That's something that needs to be considered."

Hundreds of acres...so about $5-10k depending? Maybe Dennis should consider farming pheasants and deer if there are so many around. A couple hunts should make up for the money he's losing. Oh and county boards have no business opining on land uses that are obviously legal. I wonder how many farmers sit on that board?

[riverview]

If it is like boards in n.d. they are all farmers. I am a twp supervisor in my opinion the county comm, and twp boards arent a good way to manage roads, water and consv. just my opinion.

[lawdog]

Wow now farmers think they need to get paid for the food wildlife eats???? Where will the handouts end???????

[Musky Buck]

Does that farmer guy realize there are thousands of farmers that lose a bit to wildlife, just the fact that he hasn't lost his farm yet must mean his family is doing ok. The dude could sell a weekend of pheasant hunting on his land that would make up what he thinks he'll lose each year in yields.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

maybe if farmers in minnesota wouldnt already have plowed under 97% of the wetlands this state once had, the MDNR wouldnt have to buy productive land. Good, bad, or otherwise depending what side of the fence you are on, but what other land does the DNR even have a shot at buying anymore?

[Musky Buck]

Agreed and if they couldn't have plowed it they wouldn't have wanted it and I have many farmers in my family, but they love wildlife and have left there farms as is, not expanding their acreage the way some crop farmers can or have. The DNR can buy my 80 if they want it. Be more of a waterfowl production area.

[CJH]

"Farmers basically feed that wildlife," Clifton Township resident Richard Vroman told commissioners.

Dennis Oeltjenbruns told the board he figured crop damage from deer and pheasants has cost him hundreds of bushels of corn and soybeans. While he isn't against hunting, Oeltjenbruns said, "Farmers don't get paid for pheasants and ducks That's something that needs to be considered."

Wow. So much for being conservation stewards who works with the land. How many bushels has he grown over the time he's owned the farm on that fertile soil? Apparenly he thinks he can control nature, or at least should be able to be compensated when he can't. Ignoramus.

They are seriously complaining about one small plot of land???!!!!!!

[Musky Buck]

The funny part is what about the pocket gophers, crows, grackles,sandhill cranes etc. Maybe lol us hunters should get paid for harvesting the very things that are eating his crops or it would be worse. How can a duck do crop depredation ? Better keep those teal off the plowing in the spring. Darn canvasbacks keep jumping up and ripping off corn cobs and flying around with them. Coots are in the soybeans again. Crazy thing is I farm quite a bit, seasonally, I lose basically nothing to ducks, the pheasants I lose probably $3.85 cents a year, basically if I go trap 20 pocket gophers a year it covers what I'm losing. Mother nature has a lot to do with your yields.

[primetime49]

poor farmers is what my mother in law always says when these things are discussed

she is a retired farmer and thinks they are all spoiled

every year she wants us to print the subsidys lists for her so she can see how much each neighbor gets from government,she calls it 4WD welfare

she still lives on farm but her and past husband never programmed any property and retired fairly well off

if your local county officials want to thrive- have them teach farmers to make money on profitable ventures like the rest of society

please quit pouting about 300 acres as they have turned 97%of land farmed into feed for the wildlife

I do not know the land use of the county mentioned but can bet county doesnt have much land for general public use

[ac777]

Wow, It's hard to believe all the negative posts against farming! Come on, where did your food come from today? Just because the government gives some incentives to the farmers, all the non farmers complain. It seems to me they had a good discussion about land use with the DNR and local farmers. We farm in the Marshall area, and Im not against the DNR buying some land, any one has the right to buy land. And what they do with it is up to them. Actually they can buy all the land they want, it will only lead to increased grain prices, which will lead to higher food prices for you! Although this is an exaggeration, if enough land was put into grass land, it would eventually happen. We have many acres of CRP, and provide food for pheasants, deer, turkeys, and whatever else. Lets remember where the roots of America come from and not bash the American Farmer.

[ac777]

poor farmers is what my mother in law always says when these things are discussed

she is a retired farmer and thinks they are all spoiled

every year she wants us to print the subsidys lists for her so she can see how much each neighbor gets from government,she calls it 4WD welfare

she still lives on farm but her and past husband never programmed any property and retired fairly well off

if your local county officials want to thrive- have them teach farmers to make money on profitable ventures like the rest of society

Oh, so we have to believe your mother inlaws gossip now huh? 4wd welfare, ha. Profitable ventures like the rest of society? What? The farmers are some of the best business men I know. It's just like running a business, there is no fixed income, prices and weather vary, don't complain about subsidies for farmers, and then say you pay to much for your food, because that is completely contradictory.

[Tom7227]

Back to the point - the Trib has an article about concerns over too much land going into WMA's. let's keep it on subject.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoo...L7PQLanchO7DiUs

[goblueM]

i think the "too much public land" debate is ridiculous.

I for one am tired of seeing wonderful land being put into strip malls, condo developments, and stuff like that. It is sickening.

With our exploding population and increased land use, we need to act now to set aside land. 99% of the prairie in this state is gone. NINETY NINE PERCENT. Pretty soon we won't have much left.

[scsavre]

Hand out hand out hand out. I want something for free.

Run a business, you make a profit good job. You loose money, maybe you should be in a different business. Maybe people should become accountable for themselves and their businesses. I dont like any of the bailouts i read about. And as far as farmers, I understand natural disasters and droughts and uncontrollable variables, may cause you to need a little help, but this getting out of hand.

I am not going to thank or pay a farmer because his corn field is feeding pheasants and deer. Am i greatfull yes, but the animals arent the reason he is doing it. Its his business. And animals eating your crops is part of it.

If I work in retail and 15% of my products are stolen every year, I dont get free money for it.

[dogs]

"Lets remember where the roots of America come from and not bash the American Farmer". The roots of america are the working people not just corporations that farm. I don't understand this concept of the "state" buying up land. People in the cities, like myself are buying up the land in a cooperative effort so we have places to hunt. If the farmers don't like the buying of the land then allow hunting on their land.

[ac777]

"Lets remember where the roots of America come from and not bash the American Farmer". The roots of america are the working people not just corporations that farm. I don't understand this concept of the "state" buying up land. People in the cities, like myself are buying up the land in a cooperative effort so we have places to hunt. If the farmers don't like the buying of the land then allow hunting on their land.

Im not against buying land for hunting, go right ahead. And there are a lot of small farms left out there, not all corporations. It's not our job to provide people with a place to hunt.

[CJH]

It's not our job to provide people with a place to hunt.

Nor is it every other citizen's job to pay for farming subsidies. Quid pro quo.

[Dave S]

Originally Posted By: ac777

It's not our job to provide people with a place to hunt.

Nor is it every other citizen's job to pay for farming subsidies. Quid pro quo.

And how many of you who are against sibsidizing farmers, rely on farmers to some extent for hunting land? Deer hunting? Turkey hunting? other small game? Keep in mind that the land owned by these same farmers provide a food base and habitat for the very game that you pursue each and every fall.

Take your mentality into a farmers yard and tell them you feel that subsidies are nothing more than 4WD welfare and see how long your welcome wagon keeps rolling.

There's far more actual welfare money handed out to people who sit home doing nothing for themselves than there is to farmers.

I see a couple farmers in this thread but even more non-farmers blowing smoke in mirrors. All of these complaints about handouts to farmers; But yet there's this sense of entitlement again that people feel the need to reap the benefits of the farmers land and all that goes with it.

[graingrower]

Can you imagine the fallout of an organized denial of hunting queries next fall? Suppose I rejected every hunter that (thankfully) actually asked for permission to cover my ground, called the sherrif to arrest every tresspasser, and followed ten feet behind every road hunter with my truck, then with a promise of additional rent influenced neighboring land owners to follow my lead? When I consider the fact that only 5 of us control virtually a six mile radius, it wouldn't be impossible. This is NOT to imply an intent, nor am I convinced such measures could take hold; but if one black sheep in each ag county took to the practice, I venture to guess it would be reflected right here on this forum.

[Dave S]

Can you imagine the fallout of an organized denial of hunting queries next fall?

There would be a few up in arms.

[First Ice-Mike]

The roots of america are the working people not just corporations that farm. I don't understand this concept of the "state" buying up land. People in the cities, like myself are buying up the land in a cooperative effort so we have places to hunt. If the farmers don't like the buying of the land then allow hunting on their land.

a

WOW is all I can say to this - very arrogant. Second time in two days nontheless.

I farm with my dad - hardly a corporation. Every fall we have to deal with "entitled" people like yourself that trespass on OUR land, parking in the middle of township roads we maintain, blocking the passage of equipment, and a host of other things a person with a lick of common sense would know not to do. Then they look at you like you're a jerk when you turn away their -hunting inquiries.

The really funny thing is during winters like the one we're having right now - everything is snowed in and the birds can't find food on their own. Guess who is feeding the birds a couple times a week to keep them from starving to death - The farmers!!! Turns out we feed the wildlife year round - and nobody is asking for a penny. I tell ya, these poor, spoiled, welfare dependent farmers really are the problem (sarcasm). If the DNR wants to buy land that is their right - as long as the P.I.L.T. payment keep coming (whole other issue), but don't give me all this "farmers are the problem b.s." We are part of the solution, the sooner people wise up and realize this the better off everyone will be.

FI

[CJH]

And how many of you who are against sibsidizing farmers, rely on farmers to some extent for hunting land? Deer hunting? Turkey hunting? other small game? Keep in mind that the land owned by these same farmers provide a food base and habitat for the very game that you pursue each and every fall.

Take your mentality into a farmers yard and tell them you feel that subsidies are nothing more than 4WD welfare and see how long your welcome wagon keeps rolling.

There's far more actual welfare money handed out to people who sit home doing nothing for themselves than there is to farmers.

I see a couple farmers in this thread but even more non-farmers blowing smoke in mirrors. All of these complaints about handouts to farmers; But yet there's this sense of entitlement again that people feel the need to reap the benefits of the farmers land and all that goes with it.

I was commenting on the original topic, public hunting land purchases. No one is ever entitled to hunting on private property unless granted permission. Ever!!

As far as the people sitting at home getting welfare, I agree with you, they shouldn't get squat in my mind. Different issue.

However the amount of backlash against buying a small parcel of land for public usage is astounding. Newsflash my family owns private farm land, so I think I would do just fine in a farmers yard, thanks very much.

[Dave S]

I was commenting on the original topic, public hunting land purchases. No one is ever entitled to hunting on private property unless granted permission. Ever!!

[ctlfdr]

Wow, go look at the Farm Bill and how much of that actually goes to the farmers, you might be surprised. They ought to call it the cheap food bill. Food stamps and school lunch, programs such as these make up a large portion of the Farm Bill. For every retail dollar spent on food at home and away from home farmers and ranchers receive only 19 cents. As a farmer I would be fine with getting rid of the farm bill and let the market work on its own. But the end consumer might not like it on their wallet. Yes, that handout does end up in your pocket.

As for the DNR purchasing land that is fine, I believe the tax money would be better spent by doing programs such as Walk In like South Dakota and PLOTS in North Dakota. We all would have more land to hunt and a better experience. I am not a huge fan of my tax dollars being used to bid against us farmers to purchase land. But the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed in 08 and we all had a chance to vote.

I love hunting and fishing as much as all you other guys, but it really sours a lot farmers when people have the attitudes that some people do. Work with them not against them. Come help one day in the fall or spring. You might see things from their perspective and gain some respect. Maybe get permission to hunt that field or slough.