Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2017

the next generation
landowners she has worked with over the
years approached their land successions,
sometimes stepping into character as those
clients.
During the hour-long performance, Martin
recounts cases where violence erupted
and relationships dissolved during land
sales or transfers. She also talks about
peaceful solutions that maintained strong
family ties and the viability of the land.
According to the playwright, the script
resonates with people who have been
through, or are working through, challenging
land transfer issues, including dividing
land among siblings, selling out to a neighbor,
or attempting to preserve the land’s
integrity against urban sprawl.
“It’s the perfect tool for people to start
the conversation,” Swander said as she sat
at the kitchen table of her light-filled home,
which was formerly a one-room Amish
schoolhouse just outside of Kalona.
Getting people to talk about these issues
was a driving force behind the play, which
was commissioned by the Practical Farmers
of Iowa. Map of My Kingdom was performed
in DeWitt and Maquoketa in February
2015. Both performances were followed by
discussions, during which local farmers,
bankers and others shared their own stories,
asked questions, and gave tips on how to
navigate those waters.
The play’s topic hits home with Swander,
who found herself in an uncomfortable
transition years ago. Her grandmother,
who operated a Carroll County, Iowa, farm,
died. Five years later, Swander’s mother,
who was the heir, died. She left the farm to
Swander, then 23, and her two brothers, 25
and 27.
“It was all about expectations, which
were different for each of us. First we had
never discussed the inheritance of the
farm,” said Swander, who was living in
Iowa and assumed they would keep the
100-year-old organic farm going. Her broth-
Map of My Kingdom
is available on DVD,
and performances
in local communities
can be arranged by
contacting Swander.
Information is on
her website
maryswander.com.
The CPA. Never Underestimate the Value.
Front row, left to right: Deb Behn, Senior accountant, Savanna; Mary Stephany, office administrator, Maquoketa; Gloria Miner, CPa, Savanna; Cassie
Corrigeux, Staff accountant, Savanna; Michele Meade, CPa, Clinton; and Cheri Piper, Senior accountant, Savanna. Back row, left to right: Mark Garman,
CPa, Maquoketa; arlene lyon, CPa, Maquoketa; Susan Green, Clerical, Maquoketa; John Gilroy, CPa, Maquoketa; Jenessa Bormann, Senior auditor,
Clinton; and David Meade, CPa, Clinton
www.mgmaccountants.com
Maquoketa 563-652-5143
Savanna 815-273-2315
Clinton 563-243-0280
Galena 815-777-2675
Maquoketa • Savanna • Clinton • Galena
fall 2017 | Eastern Iowa Farmer 57