What makes this site so great? Well, I think it's the fact that, quite frankly, we all have alot at stake in this thing they call shale. We share similar risks and we share potential benefits. I also think it's a little more than that. This site is made up of individuals and families who have worked hard for that yard we call home or that farm on which blood, sweat and tears have fallen.

That's our story. Our farm has been in the family for over 80 years. Though much of the family is out of state, we still gather there for holidays and summer vacations. It's a refuge of sorts. We have a couple ponds, timber, and a couple now-vacant chicken houses that reveal a glimpse of the past. We believe Grandmother and Grandaddy would be thrilled to see the current activity around their homestead and the impact the farm may now have on generations to come. Never in their wildest dreams had they ever considered such a thing.

Now because of shale, this refuge is potentially worth much more monetarily speaking. But, as exciting as this is, we know that we have a responsibility to take care of the farm. After all, we want the farm to remain a place where the family can gather for another 100 years and beyond.

This site was born out of these desires. Before we started this site, googling "shale' brought up little information. Certainly nothing that was useful as we negotiated a lease and sought ways of minimizing the impact of drilling. This site allows us to communicate with each other and collaborate. Sure, you can't trust anything 100%, so be sure to verify anything you read before acting upon it. But at its core, this site is filled with landowners and professionals who want to network and be of assistance.

So, thank you for joining and have fun "shaling."

Keith Mauck, Publisher