The legal foundation’s first major win came in 2002 when it obtained a favorable outcome for a state rancher in his skirmish with a railroad over livestock fences. The foundation was involved when Noble County Farm Bureau Director Bill Hafner contacted the organization with concerns about a possible liability when his cattle got off his property onto highways due to dilapidated fences on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way going through his property. The new fence and its construction were eventually paid for by the railroad after the foundation provided assistance, causing the railroad to obey state statutes regarding construction and maintenance of fencing along rights of way.