Ranchers at the Whitehouse

This was sent along from Jim Knopik, one of the 20 farmers/groups we profiled in Farm Together Now back in 2010. He is involved with a group of Nebraska ranchers who have been doing activism around the proposed Keystone pipeline. This action took place on February 13th, and yesterday 35,000 people from 30 different states converged in Washington for “Forward on Climate,” which is said to have been the biggest rally calling attention to climate change in U.S. history.

Quotes from Nebraskans:

Pics of Nebraskans involved in Wed action from Mary Anne Andrei for Bold Nebraska

Randy Thompson, cattle buyer, face of the pipeline campaign in Nebraska “Stand with Randy”

“I am a Nebraska cattleman and landowner. I am fighting against the KXL pipeline for two very basic reasons. First of all, I feel very strongly that this pipeline represents an assault on the individual property rights of American citizens. There is something inherently wrong about the idea of American landowners being forced to subsidize the private enterprise of a foreign corporation with land that their families have earned through generations of hard work and determination. Secondly, I feel that the KXL presents a real threat to some of our nation’s most valuable natural resources, especially our rivers, streams and underground aquifers. These are priceless American assets that no amount of oil money, foreign or otherwise, could ever replace.”

James Tarnick, young farmer and rancher, proposed pipeline route comes within 50 feet of his house

“I started out fighting the pipeline because it was coming on my land and close to the family farm house and livestock wells.  However, through what I have learned these past 6-7 months I am against it even more because it will impact us negatively economically in the long run and there are way to many ways it can harm our environment.  Landowners have been bullied by TC as our political leaders have looked the other way.  It is time to and this is an outstanding way to rise up against big money and say ‘We aren’t going anywhere. Ever!'”

Abbi Kleinschmidt, 5th generation farmer in the route of the pipeline

“I am fighting the pipeline because I believe it is my duty to stand up for Mother Earth and the health and well-being of all human beings and NOT allow a slimy, rich, foreign oil company to come in and cut through the heart of America. I cannot think of a more heartless act!! I am fortunate to live in a society where I have the right and can speak up for what I believe in. What this situation reminds of more than anything is what our ancestors did to the Native Americans. We came in and told them lies, cheated them, and moved them off of their land. I believe that TransCanada is capable of doing the same sort of thing, especially if there was a sizable tar sands spill. That company is ruthless, relentless, has an endless supply of money and only wants what is good for them. Since our politicians aren’t willing to take the appropriate stand, then power to the people and I would be one of those.”

Susan Luebbe: rancher, featured in Pipe Dreams documentary, one of the landowners in the lawsuit against the state of Nebraska on the pipeline route and eminent domain authority


“As a 3rd generation cowgirl from the Sand Hills of Nebraska I have worked hard with others to get KXL off our ranch. I want to take this risk of arrest with many other landowners, and indigenous tribal members from Canada through the United States to end this fight. I want to make an impact in this fight for residents of Canada’s tar sands region to Eleanor Fairchild’s Texas property. TransCanada’s project cuts right through the heart of environmental sensitive land and cultural history. I want the future generation to see what it takes to fight for something so precious that our ancestors worked so hard to build for all of us.”