Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Sunday, July 29, 2007
Both sides plan protests over proposed farm limits
VIROQUA, Wis. — Supporters and opponents of measures that would limit large-scale farming in Vernon County have indicated they plan to protest Monday outside a public hearing on the proposed restriction.
The hearing is set for 7 to 9 p.m. at Western Technical College in Viroqua on ordinances that would place a moratorium on large-scale farming and also limit farms to 500 animal units.
The Vernon County Board is expected to consider the ordinances Aug. 7.
WisBusiness.com and other sources have reported those opposing the proposed limits are organizing a tractor brigade from throughout the county.
Meanwhile, members of the Valley Stewardship Network and other groups said they plan to push for the moratorium and further study on the potential effects of large-scale farming.
About 100 people rallied July 13 at the Vernon County Courthouse before a meeting of the county’s Land and Water Department Committee, which unanimously recommended the ordinance limiting animal units to 500.
On July 11, the county’s Health Committee unanimously recommended a six-month moratorium on large-scale farms in the county so health and safety factors could be considered.
The moratorium would delay construction or expansion of farm operations between 500 and 1,000 animal units. A unit depends on the size of the animal: a pig less than 55 pounds is .10 unit, while larger market hogs and sows are .40 units each. A farm with 1,000 animal units could, therefore, have 2,500 market hogs.
The Vernon County measures were sparked by plans by Jeff and Bonnie Parr of Ferryville, Wis., to operate a 2,400-hog operation in the town of Sterling near Retreat.
However, conservationists from Vernon and Clark counties both have said they’ve been approached by other investors interested in operating such farms in the region. The Vernon County Broadcaster has obtained information as well that four to eight similar operations are being considered for Crawford, Vernon, Jackson, Monroe or Clark counties.
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