The hog CAFO proposed by Rick Jarrett Farm in Duck Creek Township near Elwood is NOT going to be built. Rick Jarrett recently submitted a letter to IDEM, in which he voluntarily withdrew his approval for two 4,000 head finishing buildings that were approved on May 12, 2006. No explanation of why Mr. Jarrett withdrew his permits was given.

A group of concerned citizens launched a campaign to oppose this CAFO last year. They have been very active in creating awareness and distributing information regarding the dangers posed by CAFO's. Madison County Commissioners recently approved an ordinace which required much stiffer regulations on CAFO's.

The State Legislature is listening to citizens on the CAFO issue. Several bills have been introduced regarding CAFO regulations. Three Senate Bills need to be supported. Information on each is listed below. And of course, there is Senate Bill # 0570 which we DO NOT want them to pass. This bill provides that local ordinances adopted after May 15, 2007, regulating confined feeding operations may not exceed the requirements of confined feeding control statutes and rules at the state level. WE NEED LOCAL ORDINANCES TO PROTECT OURSELVES.

Here is informaton on Senate Bills we do support.

On Tuesday, November 21st, citizens concerned about the influx of Confined Animal Feeding Operations had an opportunity to sit down and talk with Andy Miller, Director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture. Also from the Department of Agriculture were Sara Simpson and Beth Bechol. The counties represented by the citizen’s group were LaGrange, Madison, Delaware, Randolph and Jasper.

At the beginning of the meeting the group presented Andy Miller with petitions signed by over 5000 taxpayers from across the state opposed to the rapid increase in livestock production through CAFO’s in Indiana.

On Tuesday, October 24, the BZA tabled a request from Rick Jarrett's attorney to modifiy restrictions placed on the proposed CAFO last July. There was significant discussion regarding the legality of the BZA making any modifications. Jarrett's attorney seemed surprised when Pete King, attorney for the concerned neighbors, presented case law supporting the fact that Indiana statute says the only way to appeal a BZA ruling is through the Circuit Court. According to Pete King, the only thing the BZA could do is make minor clerical corrections, nothing of substance could be changed.

After much confusion, the BZA voted to table the discussion and decision until January.

IDEM OFFICIALS ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC IN ALEXANDRIA

On Thursday, September 28, staff members from IDEM met with interested citizens at the Alexandria Fairgrounds to answer questions regarding CAFO regulations. The meeting was sponsored by the Madison County Planning Commission and the County Commissioners. In a tightly managed format, IDEM officials responded to questions that had to be submitted prior to the meeting in written format.

The first question related to recently published news articles stating that IDEM staff had been substantially reduced. The IDEM officials stated they were not aware of any reductions. In fact, they now have 16 state inspectors. Responsibilities of these inspectors includes all CAFO’s and CFO’s, all solid waste treatment facilities, all landfills and open dumps. They estimate response time in case of emergency to be less than 1 hour. There is an emergency spill hot line at IDEM that is staffed 24 hours, 7 days a week.

NORTH CAROLINA HOGS....
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY!!!

Come hear Rick Dove and Don Webb, two North Carolinians, share their perspectives on the impact of the corporate hog industry in their state.

WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 7:30 pm

Where: National Guard Armory
700 Western Avenue
Winchester, Indiana

Sponsored by ECCRC INVITE OTHERS!!!

The Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday approved a special-use exemption that will allow Rick Jarrett to build a CAFO building to hold 4,000 hogs in Duck Creek Township, really close to Elwood. Family farmers in the area continue to fight the project.

CFO and CAFO Applications - July 24th + Madison County CAFO Update
   By kpaul news
   Wednesday, Jul 26 4:33 pm
Some great citizens out there are keeping track of CFO and CAFO construction appplications, both those pending and those issued. I've made PDFs for pending and issued as of July 24th, 2006.

Abandoned Farm in Dundee. Owner?

Anyone know who owns this little piece of land in Dundee, IN - 450W just south of IN 28? There's no address (being an abandoned farm.)