That’s the first time the Ohio Department of Agriculture has received all positive oral testimony at a public meeting in the seven years it has regulated environmental issues on livestock farms, a state official said.
Richard Naragon has lived downwind of Pitstick Pork Farms for 39 years.
“I have no problem with him acquiring a permit,” the Fairborn man said in front of 22 people at a meeting on the farm’s draft permits at Fairborn Fire Station 2, 2200 Commerce Center Blvd.
Kathleen Boutis of Yellow Springs, president of the grassroots group Green Environmental Coalition, had concerns when she first heard of the farm’s plans but is supportive after reviewing them.
“I (don’t) want to lose any more farms to mini-mansions,” she testified.
Tom Pitstick, president of his family’s multi-generational business, has said the farm needs to grow to remain competitive, and will raise hogs under contract for Pork Champs of Waldo, Ohio.
He said the expansion would involve converting existing hog buildings at 1146 Herr Road, with no new building construction.
The farm would generate 2.2 million gallons of manure annually, which would be injected to help fertilize 1,813 acres in Greene County.
“I support Tom,” testified James Adkins of Fairborn, a neighbor. “He’s a knowledgeable and good-intentioned farmer.”
In addition to housing 4,695 market hogs, up from 1,900 previously, the farm would continue to house up to 2,400 nursery pigs weighing under 55 pounds.
In Ohio, farms with more than 2,500 market hogs must have state permits. Applications for such permits are always approved, provided they meet state rules — a process akin to securing a zoning permit.
After the meeting, Boutis said she sees the Pitstick farm as a “family farm trying to figure out how to compete in a world that’s dominated by corporate agriculture.”
Written comments on the draft permits must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Livestock Environmental Permitting Program, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. The state is expected to issue final permits to the farm.
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