Down on the Farm: February 2008

At Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever we put a great deal of effort into bringing the concerns of America's conservationists, sportsmen and women to Washington D.C. Of particular note has been our work to strengthen the conservation programs within the Federal Farm Bill. The Farm Bill addresses land use practices on over 50 million acres of America's most environmentally sensitive lands; including the 39.2 million acres making up the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CRP has been the nation's most successful conservation program in history. Since it's inception in 1982, it has prevented soil erosion, improved water quality, created habitat for pheasants, quail, ducks, and a myriad of other wildlife species, and stabilized rural farm economies.

This Old Farm: More Than a Place to Make Money

By Tom Conroy

Jim Schafer relaxed in an easy chair next to the fireplace in front of the patio door. Outside, juncos, chickadees and assorted other birds feasted on the spread of seeds scattered on the deck for them. A spotting scope on a tripod provided a close-up look at the birds that preferred to keep their distance - pheasants, primarily. As Jim chatted with his guests, his wife Marilyn was putting out a spread of her own in the form of pastries, juice, hot chocolate and coffee for the visitors to feast on.

Down on the Farm: February 2008 The Schafer visitors were there on this recent December morning to see first-hand the wildlife habitat work Jim has done on his Renville County property over the years - and then to try to harvest a few of the plentiful pheasants that have taken a liking to the Schafer farm. By day's end, the mission had been accomplished on both counts.

Renville County's fertile soil is intensively farmed and wildlife habitat has long taken a backseat to corn and soybeans. That has begun to change some in recent years as more landowners have expressed interest in programs such as CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) as one way to restore some of their land back to a natural state. Jim Schafer has been doing just that for many years, largely through the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Wetland Restoration Program (WRP).

For Jim, farming has been a gratifying way to put food on the table and a little money in the bank. But he always wanted his farm to be more than just a place where money is made. A wholly tamed farm, he contends, is more lifeless than alive. During his life on this farm, the untamed portions of it have provided the pleasures and memories he values most.

Down on the Farm: February 2008 Restored wetlands, native grass plantings and shelterbelts dot the Schafer property, beginning just a stone's throw from the back deck. Watching deer, pheasants, rabbits, waterfowl and birds at the feeders from the comfort of his easy chair "sure as heck beats watching TV," Jim declared with a wide smile. While these rewards are not economic, he believes they have made his life more full than it would have otherwise been.

Watching eight drake woodducks, feathers gleaming in the early morning sun, waddle single file from a wetland to a nearby field to eat - priceless. A doe and her fawn, ever vigilant, munching on grass at dusk - the same. Ditto for the sound of rooster pheasants crowing mightily on an early spring morning, backed up by a spirited choir of songbirds. And walking side by side with a son or grandson, shotguns in tow, while dogs roust pheasants from the grass - how could you put a price tag on that?

More farmers are reaching the age where a decision must be made about the future of the land they have toiled on for so many years. Retirement is becoming more appealing and in many cases, the kids have moved away to seek a different kind of work. What will become of the farm? Increasingly, a choice is being made by these "baby boomers" to leave a legacy by returning at least some of it to a natural state.

More retiring landowners seem motivated by a desire to give something back, to the earth on which they profited, and to future generations. Often times land is donated to the DNR or an organization such as The Nature Conservancy in order to ensure that it will be preserved in a natural state.

The DNR, in fact, takes in an average of $1.5 million to $2 million a year in cash and land donations each year. Since 1986 when the Reinvest in Minnesota critical habitat match program began, the DNR has accepted nearly 30,000 acres of donated land valued at $33 million. In 2007 alone, the DNR received $746,000 in cash donations and 1,850 acres of land valued at approximately $2.9 million.

Down on the Farm: February 2008 Jim Schafer is not surprised by the growing interest in habitat preservation. As one grows older, he supposes, ideas about what's important in life change. With that, he escorted his guests outside for a walk on the wild side. Soon, pheasants were flushing in bunches. Sure beat watching TV.

Tom Conroy is an Information Officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.

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