I. Unite the Prairie in Sheldon
In the early part of the last century the call went out for settlers to come to the country and establish farmsteads where they could live happily ever after. Sheldon was home to an active effort to encourage and aid newcomers. The Ransom County Immigration Association came into being to deal with land sales. Much land was available and they came with the assuring, but imaginative, words that “rain follows the plow.” They set to work turning the soil with their one bottom plows and through the years more and bigger equipment blackened increasing acres of ground. One Indian observer shook his head and stated, “Wrong side up.”
It didn’t take long before they realized the plowed dirt rain promise was junk science, but with the right conditions the land yielded a rich bounty. Pioneer accounts of their efforts tell us that the grass plowed under was so tall cattle could get lost in it. Wildlife thrived and all manner of four-legged animals and winged insects and birds found their homes in it. Then with wildlife habitat disappearing, various species disappeared or became endangered. It is beyond reason to think that we could or should ever return to that time, but could anything be done to help restore habitat for the affected plants and animals?
One man has set his sight on doing what he can. Jon DeVries began wondering what he could do to help and twenty years ago founded “United Prairie Foundation.” The organization’s goal is to restore prairie habitats that wildlife need for survival. Also, through a patch-burn-graze program they aim to utilize diverse local ecotype seed and prescribed fire to benefit livestock grazing conditions. He works with other groups and has received co-operation and know-how from them. For instance, the Meadowlark Initiative has been initiated by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and is closely aligned with United Prairie. Who doesn’t like to hear the meadowlark’s song in the countryside?
Seeds. To reach their intended goals, they need seeds. To obtain them, the organization operates the only dedicated native plant nursery in North Dakota. Located in Enderlin, it is a collection and propagation site for seed harvested from remaining spots of native wild prairies. Those seeds have proved their hardiness in the harsh conditions of our area and are distributed to cooperating sites throughout the area.
Leafy spurge, a particularly noxious weed, can be fought with the spurge beetle, its natural predator. Problems arise because it’s hard for the beetles to survive harsh winters. The Foundation has been collecting and releasing leafy spurge beetles to control leafy spurge since 2010. They’ve found help with this project from the local Sheyenne Braves 4-H Club.
In order to recognize its twenty year anniversary they sponsored a full day of activities in the community center of its home base in Sheldon. By the way, the building also houses trucks for the Enderlin-Sheldon Fire Department through which the foundation works closely with their controlled burn activity.
Tractors lined main street including a full collection of “20” model John Deere tractors collected by the Bartholomay family. At noon a cavalcade of three dozen classic tractors arrived from their starting point of McLeod just in time to sit at a luncheon provided for them by the Sheldon Lions Club. Range management seminars featured presentations by two NDSU professors, Dr. Torre Hovick and Dr. Kevin Sedivec. A beef feed at suppertime and a street dance with live music by the Tainted Vibes concluded the day’s activities.
II. Sodbusters in Fort Ransom
We wanted to visit the Fort Ransom Sodbusters again and midday left the activities in Sheldon to drive there. A 90 degree temperature with the hot sun magnified through high humidity didn’t make for comfort, but we’re North Dakotans and can take it. It’s hard to find a more beautiful setting anywhere than what is found in the Fort Ransom area, especially the Sunne Farm.
The Sodbusters stated purpose for existing is to preserve the heritage of the area by demonstrating the farming methods and lifestyles of the 1900s. They do just that with their horse drawn machines scattered throughout the farmyard. As an old farmboy I almost started itching while watching the crew working around the threshing machine with some on the rack pitching bundles of shocked oats.
Matched teams of horses powered the demonstrations. From the parking area we rode to the farm site on a wagon pulled by a pair. Even though I’m far removed from those days, I couldn’t help think how nice it was to travel quietly along and hear birds singing. A hay loading machine worked in the distance and another crew was trying to lift hay into the hayloft of the big red barn. Try as they might, they just couldn’t keep hay bunched in the rope slings to lift into the big door. It kept collapsing back into the rack. All the while the team of horses standing at the end of the long tow rope stood patiently waiting for the next try.
In the log cabin ladies sat displaying their skills of tatting and spinning. But the best part was to sample the homemade ice cream. Now that was a treat! The heat got to us, though. Another horsedrawn ride took us to our air conditioned car. If you’d want to visit the farm you can go again this fall. They’ll be celebrating their 40th year of existence with another session of demonstrations, plus a wagon train rolling through the countryside.
No comments:
Post a Comment