|
|
During
an action on TDS Farms, Vicki Huelskuetter, reads
passages
from the Bible that call for good land-stewardship.
By:
Ben Wiederholt
Central Illinois Organizing Project
Springfield, IL
The Central
Illinois Organiz ing Project (CIOP) and member group Farmers Serving
Independent Agriculture (FSIA) joined forces in action against TDS
Farms, an affiliate of a mega-farm operation
run by Dean Dowson, who left two anhydrous ammonia tanks unattended
near a FSIA family-owned farm in Logan County.
The abandoned tanks are inviting targets to people who siphon anhydrous
ammonia to make methamphetamine (crystal meth), an addictive homemade
drug. The abandoned tanks were a serious community safety threat
for the families in the area, almost all of whom have children.
More than a dozen CIOP and FSIA members braved chilly, windy weather
conditions to bring the issue to the attention of the community.
Throughout the harvest season extensive public awareness efforts
informed farmers of the methamphetamine problem and the need to
keep anhydrous ammonia tanks hidden from the drug producers. The
Dowson’s ignored these warnings and for over a week left the
two tanks next to a roadside where they could be seen from over
a mile away.
CIOP took action and quickly helped FSIA organize a public protest
of the neglected tanks. Signs were posted on the tanks urging people
to call the Dowson’s demanding the tanks be removed, and Scripture
passages were read calling for good land-stewardship.
During the action, a family member of the Dowson’s who was
plowing in a nearby field down the road came charging up the hill
and shouted:
“This is America! We can do what we want, and you are fighting
a losing battle!”
Apparently, doing whatever the Downson’s want includes agreeing
to the demands of CIOP and FSIA. By early the next morning, the
tanks, and the crystal meth threat, were removed.
FSIA member Vicki Huelskoetter felt that putting a face to the issue
really helped.
“The arrival of the farmer in the tractor was a tactic to
scare us away,” she said. “Our action brought
out the ‘face’ of the aggressor. It helped us
identify that we were dealing with a bullying attitude. Once
we knew the attitude we’re dealing with, the right steps were
taken to overcome it.”
The county sheriff was also present at the action and he applauded
CIOP and FSIA for their concern, and the initiative taken, to do
something about such a serious issue.
“The action was a necessary experience,” said Larry
Huelskoetter. “It proved there is power in organizing.
Most people don’t realize the amount of power that can be
created through faith-based community organizing. It works.”
Unfortunately, the lack of accountability for the anhydrous ammonia
tanks is only one example of the Dowson’s negative impact
on small family farmers in Central Illinois.
The Dowson’s farm 6,000 acres in Logan County, which drives
up the cost of cash rent and takes away land that has been in families
for generations. The disinvestment in the community and local economy
as a result of these practices is devastating. According to an economic
impact study by Illinois State University, the Dowson’s are
costing the community of Lincoln, with a population of 15,000, a
minimum of $1.89 million annually.
|
|
|
