Discussions continue, but Randolph County at stalemate on CAFO regulations

By JOY LEIKER
jleiker@muncie.gannett.com

WINCHESTER -- The debate over Randolph County's fastest growing industry continues as a committee appointed by the Area Planning Commission studies the latest idea in managing the growth of concentrated animal feeding operations -- multiple zoning districts for agriculture.

Having dual agricultural districts is the latest proposal to come from four years of discussion over the county's lack of an ordinance to limit CAFOs. Randolph County is becoming one of the state's leading hog-producing counties in the state. Hog production is expected to be an almost $50 million business in the county this year, compared to $12.5 million in 2003, according to a recent study.