A confined animal feeding operation planned for rural Pulaski County is drawing complaints from local residents. Under the proposal, four wean-to-finish pig production buildings could be constructed near county roads 300 South and 700 West.
In order to move ahead, the land needs to be rezoned from General Agriculture to Intensive Agriculture. That rezoning has already gotten a favorable recommendation from the advisory plan commission, but the change still needs to be approved by the county commissioners.
A few residents met with the commissioners Monday to voice their opposition. Tom Fritz said the operation would hurt his property values and wondered how it would benefit the county. “It just don’t make no sense,” he said. “I mean, I’ve worked by butt off for 20 years and finally got the place paid for. Now it’s going to be worth half, in what I’m going to get out of it.”
John Green also had several concerns, including the treatment of the animals. “This county is a farming community. It’s not a commercial hog-raising community,” he told the commissioners. “You’ve got 3,800 hogs in a barn, four barns. That’s 15,200 hogs. Number one, it’s inhumane. These hogs should be out free range.” Green and Fritz were also worried that the operation would lead to increased truck traffic.
The county commissioners plan to decide on the rezoning at a future meeting, but exactly when that will be is unclear. Commission President Kenny Becker said he’d like all three members to be present. Bud Krohn Jr. has been absent since February.
