Two large hog operations proposed for Starke, LaPorte counties

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is accepting public comment on the plans, which were both formally received March 3.

According to the permit applications on file with IDEM, the wean-to-finish operations would be at 400 North and 600 East less than a mile south of Hamlet in Starke County, and just to the north at 700 East and 1125 South in LaPorte County.

JML Family Farms of Knox is proposing the confined animal feeding operation near Hamlet, while TJL Family Farms also of Knox wants to operate a CAFO at the other site. Joshua Lawrence is listed as the registered agent/producer on the JML application and Todd Lawrence is agent/producer on the TJL application.

IDEM says written public comments are being accepted for at least 33 days starting from the date the permit applications were first received.