A Jackson Township farmer got the go-ahead Tuesday to streamline his operation.
During its regular meeting, the Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a request by John Simmermon for a special use to expand his confined feeding operation.
"He is expanding his existing facility with 56 sows and boars for gestation," said Madison County Planning Department Executive Director Michael Hershman.
Simmermon Farms Inc. is located on the south side of County Road 300 North between County Road 600 West and County Road 700 West. The property contains 366.5 acres.
During the meeting, Simmermon took pains to illustrate the difference between confined feeding operations (CFO's) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO's), which have met with controversy in the past.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) defines confined feeding operations as any animal feeding operation engaged in the confined feeding of at least 300 cattle, 600 swine or sheep or 30,000 foul such as chickens, turkeys or other poultry.
Due to size or historical issues, some confined feeding operations are defined as CAFO's. A farm with 700 mature dairy cows, 2,500 swine over 55 pounds or 10,000 sheep, for example, would be considered a CAFO.
The expansion will bring Simmermon's operation to 860 head of hogs. He said letters have been sent to neighbors and to Frankton-Lapel Community Schools, which operates an administrative office nearby.
BZA member William Hobbs questioned whether the operation would generate more manure than Simmermon Farms could use. Simmermon respond by saying there is plenty of land.
"Way more than enough," he said. "We have 360 acres there and another 150 down the road. So, it's not a problem."
Simmermon said his great-grandfather purchased the property in 1915. He said his operation will remain essentially the same. While he plans to construct a new building, he said part of another building is scheduled to be torn down.
He said the soil has been evaluated and he has contacted a group in Indianapolis to advise him on well drilling.
Before concluding his comments to the board, Simmermon asked that they keep farmers in mind when drafting new regulations.
"Right now the setbacks are 500 feet and I would ask that when you come up with a new set of rules that you make it reciprocal," Simmermon said. "If we have to be 500 feet away from a house, they can't build within 500 feet of a hog building. You need to protect the producers, as well."
In the end, board member William Hobbs made a motion to approve Simmermon's request.
"The operation already exists and the public should not be adversely affected," Hobbs said. "The surrounding area is agricultural and this is in character."
The motion passed unanimously.
On Thursday, the Madison County Planning Commission will host a public meeting on CAFOs at the 4-H building at Beulah Park in Alexandria. Madison County and IDEM officials are expected to attend.