Oh, my. I suggested a book about dispute resolution as a way to avoid escalation. I don't give a rat's backside about anyone's "feelings". I'm just saying that this can go wrong and it's best to listen to the tales of others who have actually been there and done that rather than the trial and error thing. Books can be the collective wisdom of the personal experiences of others in the same shoes.
This guy probably believes he owns that parcel and now that we know he's in a couple of positions of authority, he has a degree of local respect that has to be considered. Get the survey yes, and then try to ask why he does this. There's always time to be tough but you have to live in that community and other things can go your way or not go your way based on the perception of others. "Feelings"? Nah, don't lump me in with that batch.
Oh, my suggestions come from having done it the wrong way decades ago and then successfully navigating a few other issues over the years the right way. Easy is always better than difficult but that's a learning experience.
Your own words, right here, post #5:
-----------Let me offer a different approach. Try to find out what motivates the farmer and it's likely something other than farming. Try not to raise the ante right now.
There is a book by a former private investigator and advisor to the stars etc that explains what motivates people to do the things they do and how to get them to stop doing it. -------------
"Find out what motivates the farmer..."
Feels?
Read OP's first post in this thread again. Then read it over again, slower.
He's been asking the neighbor to stop doing this FOR SEVEN YEARS NOW. Neighbor DOESN'T DISPUTE that he DOESN'T OWN the land he's trespassing on. All of that, all of it, was information that the OP gave us in the very first post.
Also, neighbor has destroyed his property, vandalized it, and criminally trespassed, all while KNOWING the property belonged to his neighbor (the OP).
Reading is fundamental.
Now, why the OP waited seven YEARS to finally do something is beyond me, but it's his call to make, not mine.
So, either read books about feelings, or go and actually do something about it. Maybe get him a stuffed animal, or a pony, or a new bike with a shiny bell on it. Give it a try.
Personally, I would have corrected the problem 7 years ago. There's misunderstandings, which can be solved by "talking" and exchange of information, and then there's deliberate, wanton criminal activity and disregard for property rights. Those 2 things are not solved the same way.
