Conservation Through Three Generations of Burfeinds
by Mary Ann Burfeind
It all started some 60 years ago when Grandpa Henry had contour strips made. Donald, Gerald, and Murray, his sons, helped plant pine trees. This is always accomplished with a spade as a tree planter could not be used on the terrain these trees were planted on.
Donald and Gerald continued with the help of their sons, David, Paul, Mark, John, Joel, and Scott. Then Donald bought another farm and Gerald continued.
Farm ponds with dams, and terraces and buffer strips were built. Oak trees and black walnuts were planted under Gerald’s instructions.There are over 25, 000 trees.
Gerald, with the help of grandson Ryan, took the temperature of our creek, which is spring fed. It is 56 degrees year round. This is the optimum temperature for fish, so brook trout were stocked in our pasture. A fence was put up and trees were planted to give the fish shade. They are spawning, so it is successful.
Paul , third generation, has had a farm pond constructed on his farm, which his great-great Grandpa bought for a dollar and homesteaded after serving in the Civil War.
Gerald is servidng his second term as treasurer of the Wells Creek Watershed Partnership.
The Burfeind Family was presented an award in 2000 as Outstanding Conservationists by the Goodhue County Soil and Water Conservation District (website).