Clarke County Farm Bureau supports taking land from farmers
August 10, 2009 4 Comments
Farm Bureau members support proposed lake
Surprise, disgust and anger are some of the feelings I had when I read the Osceola-Sentinel Tribune Letter to the Editor by the “Board of Directors, Clarke County Farm Bureau” stating that they were in support of the proposed lake in Clarke County. This local group now has publically communicated that they have chosen to support the land grab for recreational use disguised in the need for water. I share a portion of the letter below.
“A recent letter to the editor called into question the motivations of the Clarke County Farm Bureau to take a measured, considered response in the Clarke County lake project. We are writing to let Mr. Patterson and the other members of Clarke County know that we are here. We are 770 members strong in this county and our board works hard to support the betterment of all county residents.”
Obviously the Clarke County group believes that taking land is for the good of all the county residents. I do not know the thought process behind what the Clarke County Iowa Farm Bureau used to decide what ‘betterment’ is by choosing to support the lake project but after checking out the Iowa Farm Bureau website I must conclude that yet another group bites the dust for not living up to what they stand for.
Here is some of what I found when checking out what the Iowa Farm Bureau states on their site:
“On Dec. 27, 1918, the Iowa Farm Bureau was born.
While much has changed since then, one thing hasn’t: the character of Farm Bureau and its more than 153,000-member families – a character rooted in timeless values like hard work, love of community, a passion for the land and a belief rooted in faith and family.”
“Character? Timeless values like hard work? Love of community? Passion for the land?”
Just a bunch of empty words for the land owners in Clarke County who have for years lived under the threat that their property will be taken to build a lake. Land developers and others will benefit at the expense of those who actually DO have a “passion for the land”. Empty words for concerned citizens like me who see that even the Farm Bureau will not stand up to join to fight of the abuse of eminent domain in Iowa.
More from the Iowa Farm Bureau:
“We will continue to support and speak out for Iowa farmers and their families.
We will continue to champion our youth and everything that they have to offer Iowa’s future.
We will continue to support and provide communities with the resources they need to be better places to live and work.
We will strive to keep health and wellness programs affordable for all Iowans.
And we will continue to promote the rural heritage that is Iowa.
We are the Iowa Farm Bureau. We are the people, progress and pride within all of Iowa.”
Let’s see – assisting with valuable farm land being at the bottom of a man made body of water is support for Iowa farm families?
Be a ‘champion’ for the youth who may not see their family farm passed down to their generation?
“Resources” needed to make better places to live and work… taking land from farmers and turning it over to others is assisting with “resources”?
“Health and wellness”… this one is especially hurtful, even to an interested Iowa Citizen. I can only imagine the suffering of the landowners as they await the next round of decisions and greed. The fight to keep their rightful land must take a toll on their health and wellness!
Sure- promote the rural heritage, Farm Bureau, as you stand by and let the Clarke County Board of Directors rip away rural heritage in their county.
And, pride? There can be “pride” in the horrible actions being taken against so many in Clarke County? Ask Page County landowners about “pride” as they have concerns about suffering the same fate at Clarke County landowners. Many Iowans will not feel pride in learning that a well known organization supports the taking of land that rightfully belongs to hard working citizens in order to turn it over through condemnation efforts to those who will benefit financially, all in the guise of water needs.
How many times did this group vote before they got what some wanted the vote to be in the end? Did everyone know there was even a vote? I wouldn’t be surprised that some who voted had $$ signs for themselves and were members for this sole purpose.
This is just disgusting so say the least.
I wonder how many of those Clarke Co. farm bureau members stand to gain financially if there is a lake built. I think it sounds fishy.
Thank you for continuing to expose what is going on here. No other conservative blogs are covering this. What is happening in this county is sickening.
Thank your for your research.