A Nebraska dairy farmer is hoping to open a large dairy plant in Green County, but some living near the potential site oppose the project.
Tuls Dairy Farms already operates Rock Prairie Dairy in Rock County and now wants to expand and build a 5,000 cow operation in the Township of Sylvester in Green County.
“Just the thought of 5000 cows within a half mile of our home was very frightening,” said Jen Riemer, who lives near the proposed location.
Riemer started rallying neighbors, who also oppose a large-scale dairy operation in Green County. She started a Facebook Group, “Green County Defending Our Farm Land,” that’s gathered more than 500 ‘likes.’ Jen says she’s concerned about the smell, property values, and pollution.
“Potentially the run off to the creek, which is already an impaired creek and in to Decatur lake is a huge concern for people,” Riemer said.
One thing Riemer’s group is trying to do is get a moratorium in place that would halt projects like the dairy farm, for six months.
“A moratorium is actually posted at the Township in Sylvester,” Riemer said.
The township still has to vote on that moratorium proposal. Riemer’s group is also lobbying Green County’s Land and Water Conversation Department to introduce a similar measure at the county level. The head of the department, Todd Jenson, says they’ve heard many concerns from residents, but that there are also potential benefits.
“They’ll be buying feed from neighbors,” Jenson said. “And it’s been said that for every $1 that a farmer has, he’ll spend in 7 times over.”
Jenson says Tuls Dairy has not submitted permit requests yet. He says the project would need two from his department and one from the DNR to open.
Tuls did not return a request for comment.
Source: WKOW
