Justin Schneider, Herald Bulletin
justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
A Madison County farmer has won the support of colleagues and neighbors as he plans to create a massive concentrated animal feeding organization, or CAFO.
On Tuesday, the Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals heard a proposal for a petition by Willemsen Dairy LLC to expand its dairy and livestock operation near Frankton.
Founder Tejo Willemsen plans to more than triple his cow herd, from around 1,800 to 6,000, at the farm located at 6615 W. 500N near Frankton. Willemsen and his wife, Alberdine, moved to the United States from the Netherlands six years ago.
"It was six years ago when I first came to this board," said Willemsen, who broke ground on his farm on July 5, 2001. "I was excited and anxious to start on our American dream."
The two have prospered. Willemsen said he has 4,000 more cows in Kentucky and Oklahoma and owns seven houses, six of which are rental properties.
"I manage my farm with passion, care and pride," Willemsen said. "As a farmer, it would be wrong to fall asleep now with the future ahead. We want to make the future better for this country and for our children."
Willemsen's dedication has earned him high esteem from neighbors and fellow farmers. When BZA Chairwoman Mary Jane Baker asked any supporters in the nearly full room to stand, almost everyone present did and no one spoke in opposition.
Two engineers and a consultant attended the meeting in support of Willemsen. Ken Perkins of Wabash said Willemsen is well equipped to handle the challenge of expansion.
"If you're going to make milk in this country, this is how to do it," Perkins said. "This is state-of-the-art equipment, and I recommend you consider this."
Willemsen's neighbor, Dennis Swartz, said Willemsen has been nothing but responsible and considerate.
"I've seen everything that Tejo will do," Swartz said. "Odor has not been an issue. It does come sometimes, you smell some things, but it's not offensive."
Expansion would require a special-use exemption, and Willemsen Farms has two county-regulated drains on its property, so the BZA must wait for the Madison County Drainage Board to rule on its proposal. A special meeting of the BZA has been scheduled for Aug. 14.
Willemsen's attorney, Gordon Byers, submitted a 39-page proposal to board members and said Willemsen plans to install a pollution-free water system.
"Everyone is concerned about water quality and how much water is used," Byers said. "This is a closed system where everything, even the rain that runs off the roof, is captured and treated. It's the same as the process used by cities and towns, except there is no discharge."
Willemsen said his project will generate 40 new jobs for Madison County. He expects to need 45,000 yards of concrete to construct the operation he called "the second-largest east of the Mississippi."