Norm Berg and Ralph Grossi

It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the news that American Farmland Trust’s Senior Advisor, Norm Berg, passed away unexpectedly on March 18th, 2008 from an apparent heart attack.

He had just celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends three days earlier.

Norm was a pioneer in natural resources conservation and was a leader in the development of policies and programs to help farmers, landowners and others protect the land they love for the future.

Always looking ahead, we believe it was passion for enhancing working farm and ranch land for the future that kept Norm going well past the typical age of retirement!

He began an illustrious career in government service with USDA’s Soil Conservation Service, the precursor of today’s Natural Resources Conservation Service that was formed in response to the Dust Bowl. He served in many leadership positions there, eventually as Chief from 1979-1982. Even last week, Norm still came to work at two offices in downtown Washington, DC, here at AFT, and, in his Chief Emeritus office at the USDA.

All of us will miss his fortitude and the gracious way in which he shared his vast knowledge and best ideas about conservation and agricultural land use. We invite you to share your memories and accolades through the on-line condolence book set up for this purpose.

Please send your memories to Jennifer Morrill.

With kind regards,

Ralph Grossi
President