The papers document the legal proceedings over the crude oil pipe line route initially proposed by Minnesota Pipe Line (MPL) Company, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, which would have crossed Gardens of Eagan, an organic vegetable farm operated by Atina and Martin Diffley. Gardens of Eagan, one of the earlier certified organic farms in the country, reached a settlement with MPL that set a precedent for other organic farms in Minnesota and across the country whose operations and certification might be negatively affected by siting of oil pipe lines.
Affidavits and expert witness testimony detail the requirements of organic vs. conventional agriculture, the importance of soil health, threats to organic certification posed by proximity to oil pipe lines, and specific measures to mitigate potential problems. Letters from the Diffleys' supporters document community mobilization and support for a long-established local food resource. Included are filed documents, affidavits, information requests and responses between the Diffleys (represented by their attorney, Paula Goodman Maccabee) and MPL, as well as expert witness testimony, township and county resolutions, news clippings, petitions, public hearing registers, community letters of support for the farm, and letters from other farmers and property owners along the proposed pipeline route (for the latter, see digital files dated July 24, 2006, July 28, 2006, and September 20-22, 2006.).
