Below are FAQs asked of the McCarthy Family Habitat Forever Foundation ...

Q: Why would Patrick McCarthy entrust the future of the farm to Lee Markell and not to, for example, distant cousins?

A: Anyone who does a bit of background research into Lee Markell would discover that for nearly forty years, Lee was recognized for his land preservation work on behalf of The Nature Conservancy, Friends of the Mississippi River, the Minnesota DNR, Friends of the Farm, and numerous other related groups.  Given the cousin who factored in the Star Tribune's initial article lived in Utah and may not have seen Patrick in years, it appears that Lee Markell, who resides in Eagan, was the best possible local champion for saving the farm that Patrick could find.  He clearly knew what he was doing.