Cost of Crop damage from glider landing in farmer's field?

Of all the outlandings I've had (lots!) I've only had two that could have gone awry. In one, another glider pilot had landed there, needlessly damaged the crop and departed. The farmer was none too happy to see me. I very carefully de-rigged and went to see him. I told him that I grew up on a farm (true) and therefore knew how important crops were, and how not to damage them. I even apologized profusely for my fellow aviator's lack of judgement. In the end, I left my phone number and told him to call if it looked like there was any damage. I also complimented the heck out of his dairy operation!

In the other, as soon as I said Hi to the farmer, his first words were, "I need the name of your insurance company", because I had damaged his young corn crop (about 2 inches high). Again, I told him about my childhood on a farm, but he wasn't persuaded. I told him that I had a camera, so lets go look and see how much I damaged, so we can report it, and he agreed. All those times that I practiced staying on a centerline while landing payed off.. Didn't even come close to a single plant in 300 feet of rollout! Then didn't step on anything walking out either. He couldn't argue because he couldn't find anything. He was still annoyed, but helped me take it apart. He got an SSA calender from me that Christmas. I later found out that his area was in a drought, and I suspect he was looking for some kind of a payout in a bad crop year. Just my suspicion. I've heard of that happening before.

Bruno, I don't know what you did, or are planning to do but, as was said before, it's an emergency landing, be apologetic, don't try to BS them if it's not true, call the local sheriff if there's a problem and he'll remind the farmer that he's responsible for damage while it's on his property and lastly, let the insurance company handle all payments. They can better estimate crop damage from the pictures that (I hope) you took. If you make a payout and word gets out to the locals, everyone will want a payout, damage or not. And leave his daughter alone, Romeo!

MK