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STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
wow allomaygeneral.nd. gov
(701) 328-2210 ‘VILLGaTiON
NATURAL RESOURCES
"AND INDIAN AFFAIRS
S00 NORTHO™ STREET
Drow H, Wigley BISMARCK, ND8301-4509
ATTORNEY GENERAL (701) 328-3640) FAX 1) 328-4300
June 29, 2022
and Email: mthompson@vogellaw.com
Mr. Matthew L. Thompson
Attomey at Law
‘Vogel Law Firm
P.O. Box 1389
Fargo, ND 58107-1389
Via U.S. Mi
Re:
North Dakota’s Corporate Farming Law
File No, 2022-58
Dear Mr. Thompson:
‘Thank you for your prompt reply to our inquiry into the conveyance of real property to Red River
Trust on November 4, 2021, via the deed recorded as Document No. 259641. Thank you also for
clarifying the additional questions we had regarding the trust and the filing for a different unrelated
trust having the same name with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
After reviewing all the information, we are satisfied that pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 10-06.1-09, Red.
River Trust’s current ownership and lease of the land to Campbell Farms, a General Partnership,
isin compliance with N.D.C.C. ch. 10-06.1. Accordingly, we are deeming our inquiry file inactive.
‘Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
C Hh ‘Helm
Paralegal
Corporate Farming Enforcement Division State of North Dakota
SECRETARY OF STATE
Certified Copies
of
Red River Trust
SOS Control ID#: 0005803728
Certificate #: 021991328-1
Thereby certify on this date, June 22, 2022, that this is a true and correct copy of 1 pages as
taken from the records of this office.
Alvin A. Jaeger
Secretary of State
Image 1D Filing Description
'B0450-8006 Initial Filing | I AMI
FICTITIOUS PARTNERSHIP NAME CERTIFICATE
‘SECRETARY OF STATE
(Soe SFN 07008)
FILING FEE:
+ Certificate with up to two partners: $25
+ Each adcitional partner: $3 (not to exceed $250)
0005803728
For Ofce Use Only
-FILED-
508 Contr low: 0005009728
Date Filed: 2/15:2022
®4 ZZ0Z/ST/Z0 9008-0Sb0E
Fetious Nome
Red River Trust
Pini! Pace of Business Adress
48111 HIGHWAY 17
GRAFTON, ND 58237-8800
Panershipiformaton
General partnership
State or country partnership was created: NORTH DAKOTA
(Own and manage real estate
Gregory Campbell
Sign Here
Pamnare
‘Name of General Parner Comsat Maing Adress
Gregory Campbell 15111 Highway 17
Grafton, ND 58237
William Campbell 15111 Highway 17
Grafton, ND 58237
Thomas Campbell 19111 Highway 17
Grafton, ND 58237
‘Sonate
|, tho undersigned and a genera partner, have read this Cetfcata, know the contens, and believe the statements
Contained within to be tue. | understand that | make a fale statement, | may be subject to criminal ponates.
02/15/2022
Date
Page 1 of
zebeep “y uqTATY 92835 Jo Aze3Ez09g GN Aq panto:
Page 1 of From: Matthew L. Thompson
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2022 1:57 PM
To: Helm, Kerrie L.
Subject: RE: Red River Trust letter
‘***** CAUTION: This email originated from an outside source. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know:
they are safe. **#***
Ms. Helm,
In response to your first request that we confirm the “trust” meets the definition in N.D.C.C § 10-06.1-01/4)(c):
Red River Trust does not need to meet the definition of a trust under N.D.C.C § 10-06.1-01(4)(c). That provision defines
“Nonprofit organizations” that may own farmland under N.D.C.C. § 10-06.1-09. N.D.C.C. § 10-06.1-09(1) provides that
either “A nonprofit organization or a trust for the benefit of an individual” may own or lease farmland if that land is
leased to a person who farms the land as a sole proprietorship or partnership. Red River Trust's qualification to own
farmland under Section N.D.C.C. § 10-06.1-09(1) is on the basis that itis a “trust for the benefit of an individual” as set
forth in the statute, not as that it is a Nonprofit organization
In response to your second request that we provide copies of the documents filed by Red River Trust with the North
Dakota Secretary of Stat My client, the Red River Trust, did not file anything with the North Dakota Secretary of State. As a result of recent news
articles, it came to my client’s attention that a Partnership Name Certificate was filed with the Secretary of State this,
past February to register the name Red River Trust as the name of a general partnership. Attached is a copy of that
filing. This filing was made without the knowledge of my client.
| hope these responses address your further requests of my client. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Matthew L. Thompson | Attorney
218 NP Avenue
P.O. Box 1389 | Fargo, ND 58107-1389
Tel: 701.237.6983 |
e-mail | vogellaw.com | bia
VoG
P
‘This isa transmission from the Vogel Law Flrm, Ltd. and may contain information which is privileged, confidential, and protected by the
attorney-client or attorney work product privileges. If you are not the addressee, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the
‘contents ofthis message is prohibited.
by-return email
From: Helm, Kerrie L.
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2022 11:16 AM
To: Matthew L. Thompson
Subject: RE: Red River Trust letter
Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for your prompt reply to our inquiry. We require additional information, Please confirm the “trust”
meets the definition in N.D.C.C § 10-06.1-01(4)(c). Additionally, please provide copies of the documents filed
by Red River Trust with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Thank you.
‘Keme
Kerrie L. Helm
Paralegal
Office of Attorney General
Corporate Farming Enforcement Di
500 North 9th Street
Bismarck, ND 58501-4509
Phone (701) 328-3640
Fax (701) 328-4300
From: Matthew L. Thompson
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2022 8:14 AM
To: Helm, Kerrie L.
Subject: RE: Red River Trust letter ***°* CAUTION: This email originated from an outside source. Do not click inks or open attachments unless you know
they are safe. *##4*
Ms. Helm,
‘Attached is Red River Trust’s response to the customary corporate farming inquiry letter, dated June 21, 2022, sent by
your office. If you would, please confirm receipt of the attached.
Thank you and have a great weekend.
Matthew L. Thompson | Attorne;
218.NP Avenue
P.O. Box 1389 | Fargo, ND 58107-1389
Tel: 701.237.6983 |
‘This is a transmission from the Vogel Law Firm, Ltd. and may contala information which is privileged, confidential, and protected by the
attorney-client or attorney work product privileges. If you are not the addressee, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use ofthe
‘contents ofthis message Is prohibited.
Dbyseturemail
From: Helm, Kerrie L.
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2022 4:51 PM.
To: Matthew L. Thompson
‘Subject: RE: Red River Trust letter
Good afternoon Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for your prompt email. Attached is a scanned copy of the letter mailed to Red River Trust on
‘Tuesday. We look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Keri
Kerrie L. Helm
Paralegal
Office of Attorney General
Corporate Farming Enforcement Division
500 North 9th Street
Bismarck, ND 58501-4509
Phone (701) 328-3640
Fax (701) 328-4300
From: Matthew L. Thompson
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2022 3:46 PM
To: Helm, Kerrie L.
Subject: Red River Trust letter “***** CAUTION: This email originated from an outside source. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know
they are safe. *****
Ms. Helm,
Good afternoon. Vogel Law Firm represents Red River Trust. Based on various news stories circulating, we understand
that a customary corporate farming inquiry, dated June 21, 2022, has been sent by your office to my client. We would
like to promptly respond, but my client has not yet received the letter at its Lenexa, KS address. Could you please email
me a complete copy of that letter? Thank you.
Matthew L. Thompson | Attorney
218NP Avenue
P.O. Box 1389 | Fargo, ND 58107-1389
Tel: 701.237.6983 |
‘This isa transmission from the Vogel Law Firm, Ltd. and may contain information whichis privileged, confidential, and protected by the
attorney-client or attorney work product privileges. If you are not the addressee, any disclosure, copyinge distribution, or use ofthe
‘contents of this message is prohibited.
dbyeturn email, Matthew L. Thompson
June 24, 2022
Ms. Kerrie Helm Via Electronic Mail
Corporate Farming Enforcement Division khelm@nd.gov
North Dakota Office of Attorney General
Re: Red River Trust
File No. 2022-58
Dear Ms. Helm,
Please be advised that Vogel Law Firm represents Red River Trust, We are in receipt of your letter
dated June 21, 2022, with regard to compliance with North Dakota’s Corporate or Limited Liability
Company Farming statute, N.D.C.C. ch. 10-06.1 (the “Act”) and the above-referenced file number.
Please accept this as our client’s response to your office’s customary inquiry.
Red River Trust is in compliance with the Act, pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 10-06,1-09, which states in
relevant part as follows:
1. A nonprofit organization or a trust for the benefit of an individual or a class of
individuals related within the degrees of kinship specified in subsection 2 of section 10-06.1-
12 may own or lease farmland or ranchland if that land is leased to a person who farms or
ranches the land as a sole proprietorship or partnership ...”. emphasis added]
Red River Trust is a trust established pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington. William H.
Gates, III its sole beneficiary. The Pembina and Walsh County farmland purchased by Red River
‘Trust in 2021 is leased to Thomas Campbell, William Campbell, and Gregory Campbell, together
doing business as Campbell Farms, a General Partnership, for farming. The Campbell family has a
ong history of operating these Pembina and Walsh County farmlands, which has continued under
the ownership of Red River Trust.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions regarding this matter.
Best regards,
Matthew L. Thompson
2148p | FS | ND 170
OGEL rene BIS BS MND a
Law Firm Fares
rch * Moorhead #Minneapolis * Grand Forks www. vogellw:com
