Bernice Tudela Nelson was back before the CHamoru Land Trust Commission (CLTC) on Wednesday afternoon.

As KUAM first reported, Nelson is fighting to keep her farm, Amot Taotao Tano in Dededo.

Nelson said, “I don’t want to keep going and coming over here and not sure because I’m the only one that’s working on the farm right now and I have two who are just starting the tour and next month I’m getting booked for March to go to the schools and teach the kids about the plants so I want to make sure that I still have the farm or not because if not, then I’m wasting my time.” 

Amot Taotao Tano has been at that location giving tours to various groups and organizations since it was established in 2010. 

A leasing issue came up when Nelson applied for the Federal Disaster Assistance loan to help repair damages the farm sustained post-Typhoon Mawar.

She's since been able to procure documents she thought would protect her business.

Instead, she finds herself at an impasse. The CLTC even called her situation, “complicated.”

Chairperson Dave Herrera questioned her during the meeting.

Chairperson Dave Herrera: You just mentioned your parents were here when?

Owner Bernice Nelson: I was here in 1948 with my parents and my great grandmother’s.

Herrera: Oh so that was before 1950. So you became a US citizen?

Nelson: In 1975, before the Saipan people became US citizens, I became a US citizen here.

The two continued to discuss the finer details of dates and more. 

Herrera: Was your father a US citizen? 

Nelson: No, my grandfather but the only thing is that I’m worried about the farm. I took the loan to fix my house because every month, I’m cleaning all the molds, so that's why I took the loan. 

Herrera: I understand. Were you able to get an exact date of when your grandfather left Guam? 

Nelson: No, I was here before 1950, I was living with my parents and I remember when I was 2, 3 years old I went to Saipan and that’s what make it that I have hope.

The CLTC board was unable to make a decision at the meeting but Herrera reassured Nelson they will continue to review her case. 

The issue is expected to be discussed again at the CLTC's next meeting on Feb.15. 

For now, Nelson continues to work on the farm, educating all who stop by.