© 2002 Richard Krogstad, Sole Survivor 3, 24 by 40 inches, oil on panel
In 1958, University of Minnesota Professor Willard Cochrane wrote in his book, Farm Prices: Myth and Reality:
Like all people who take pride in our country, I value certain of our institutions highly: our public school system, our Bill of Rights, sullied as it may be from time to time by overzealous patriots, our near-universal suffrage, and our national forest and park system. All of these, and many others that could be named, give the United States a distinctive flavor; make it, I believe, a good place to live in. But there is one institution I value particularly, one that is currently undergoing rapid change and may be in danger, like the whooping crane, of passing out of existence. It is the family farm — the farm as it flourished in the Alleghenies to the High Plains and north of the Ohio River. It once provided a way of life as well as a way of business, and to me it provided a good way of life. Now it provides primarily a way of business, and in years to come it may not provide even that in an owner-operator sense. With capital requirements running as high $100,000 per farm it is difficult to see how these farms can remain family affairs. But what I want to say here is that I think our country will be losing something vital if it loses the institution of the owner-operated family farm. (quoted from Willard Cochrane and the Family Farm by Richard A. Levins)
I recently discovered Cochrane through conversation with my old neighbor 
Richard Levins, who works with and has written a biography about him. I had run into Levins at an agricultural legislative forum last year in Sioux Falls, he spoke about agricultural economic issues, and I’ve followed up on several themes that were presented that day.
Last Thursday, after the Senate hearing, I met with Forest Township residents who were celebrating a pause in land-use changes and wanted to talk about land abuse issues in their respective communities. They were, to a one, concerned both about the County’s Comprehensive Planing process and potential changes to the Plan, lack of input from affected local governmental units, and about the lack of enforcement of zoning and land-use laws already on the books.
They had legitimate concerns about the way planners and developers seemed able to manipulate the system in ways that had not only adverse environmental consequences but could, without careful planning, permanently alter their quality of life and the rural character of their township. They are particularly troubled by lack of enforcement of land-use regulatoins, because if the county is not doing its job, it falls on the citizens to challenge the violators. Citizens do not have the resources, either in cash or experts, to enforce the laws. Even where they do find the resources, it is often difficult to establish their authority — yet when those with authority and responsibility for enforcement do not do it, what avenue is left? In this time of state agency cuts, a gutted agency is ineffective. It was an interesting discussion and encouraging to witness their willingness to get involved in the process and learn the intricacies of land use. They’re putting themselves on the line and doing tremendous work.
It reminded me of another Cochrane quote from Levins’ book:
Where competition has led to ruinously low prices and returns, poor service, or injury to certain persons or groups, government has historically intervened to regularize that competition, to equalize bargaining power among contending parties, and to redress inequities.
Although this issue is not about prices and returns, it does speak to the undue influence moneyed interests have over boards and commissions, influence that regular citizens do not have. Only government can change that, and government has the obligation to change that..
As the township discussion grew to a close, Stephanie Henrikson announced the opening of an art show that she and her husband, David Kamis, both artists, had organized. 
I attended the reception for the artists on Friday and had a chance to speak with several of the artists. I was particularly taken with their simple and unassuming approach to their art and how they talked about their work. The show’s opening brought together a good mix of artists, agricultural, political and environmental activists, even St. Olaf alum Sen. Chaudhary. If you want to see the show, gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
From the press release
Minnesota farms and rural life: a tribute
Painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, printmaking, and photography will come together in a show depicting Minnesota’s fast-disappearing family farms and rural life at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts. The exhibition, “Family Farms and Rural Communities: A Tribute,” includes the work of 14 artists and will open April 2 and remain on view in the Center’s galleries through May 8.
BANFILL-LOCKE CENTER FOR THE ARTS: “Family Farms and Rural Communities: A Tribute,” photography, paintings and sculpture by 14 artists. Opening reception 7-9 p.m. today. Thru May 8. Gallery: 6666 E. River Rd., Fridley. Contact: Lia Rivamonte, Executive Director: 763-574-1850
For more information, please call BLCA during Center Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. BLCA is located at 6666 East River Road in Fridley, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Take East River Road off 694 and travel north approximately 2 miles, it’s on the left.
Following is a review of the show:
“Family Farms and Rural Communities: A Tribute” will be shown at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, 6666 East River Road in Fridley, MN, April 2- May 8, 2004. Gallery hours are 10 am-4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Opening reception with artists Friday, April 2, 7-9 pm.
Family farms are being driven out of business at an alarming rate. Causes are many–urban sprawl, weakening of Minnesota’s Corporate Farm Law at the State Legislature, prices kept low by processors, a Farm Bill which puts subsidies in the hands of the mega-farms. Minnesota’s dairy farms are particularly at risk.
With that in mind, a farm couple from Dundas, Stephanie Henriksen and David Kamis, walked through the 2002 Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, listing names of a dozen artists they felt made strong visual statements on a rural theme. Nine agreed to show their work as a group at other locations and five from the Northfield area joined them for a total of fourteen. Barbara Claussen of Lauderdale located galleries that might show the work. When Director Lia Rivamante explained that Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in Fridley was originally the site of the largest dairy farm in Minnesota, Fridley Farm, all agreed this would be a perfect place for the show. Future plans include galleries in Northfield and Winona.
Painting, drawing, sculpture and pottery, printmaking and photography are included in the show. One of the painters, longtime art teacher Dorothy Divers of St. Olaf College in Northfield, died suddenly in November and the show is dedicated to her. Her gouache paintings depict farm machinery painted on location at a local implement dealership. Other paintings include the “Land Dispute” series by Barbara Claussen and “Moonlit Barn” by Richard Krogstad of St. Bonifacius. Intimate small town scenes by Patricia Canney of Minneapolis titled “Barbershop” and “Lunch Counter” contrast with free standing life-size oil portraits of “The Gardener” and “Lydie in Overalls” by Stephanie Henriksen of Dundas.
Pastel and charcoal works include “Pig” by Sharol Nau of Northfield, scenes from Stearns County by Mark Pederson of Elk River, “County Road l5” and “Heartland” by Debra Connolly of Danvers. ” And anyone who craves detail will enjoy an intricate pencil work of cows by William Murray of St. Paul,” said Kamis.
Sculpture pieces by Melanie VanHouten of Minneapolis combine found objects and cast elements. “Her ‘Forget Me Knot’ table literally drew me back in time to our kitchen on the farm,” said Henriksen. “The artist said they are very personal having to do with loss of place,” she added. David Kamis of Dundas will show pit-fired pots from his “Space Pod” series. Lids open to view seeds germinating within.
Viewers will enjoy the large prints by Fred Hagstrom of Carleton College Art Department. “One of them of my neighbor Steve Albers feeding his calves is on the postcard announcement,” said Kamis. Photographs include “Home Place” by David Bjorkquist of Robbinsdale. “An older couple seem to float across the yard as if through time,” said Henriksen. “It was a ‘must have’ piece for the show,” she said.
Finally, Martin Berg of St. Paul will show a very large color photo called “House of Representatives in Session, 2002”. Members, including those who served on the agriculture committees, can be seen from above in minute detail. A floor map is included so visitors can locate their representative. “That’s where good and bad bills are passed that effect the future of farming,” said Henriksen. “It is the centerpiece of the show for me,” she said.
Sponsors of this exhibit include Minnesota COACT (Citizens Organized Acting Together), Clean Water Action Alliance, Land Stewardship Project.
Check out Willard Cochrane’s latest book from University of Nebraska Press: