Representatives from the Illinois Department of Agriculture listened last night in Danville as some citizens spoke their concerns about a proposed new swine facility near Ridge Farm. Parks Livestock wants to construct a building 2.23 miles west of Ridge Farm that would house up to 4500 head of swine.
[Ridge Farm Mayor Leigh Busby.]
Ridge Farm Mayor Leigh Busby is one of those who spoke out during a hearing on the matter at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville Thursday night (October 10, 2019)…
{”They should be further away. And they also need to take into consideration the direction of the prevailing winds, because we have citizens who have respiratory problems in our town and they put it where the prevailing wind is going to blow that odor over Ridge Farm most of the time,” said the Mayor.}
Rick Rife was one of those who spoke out at a hearing on the matter at the David Palmer Arena last night (Thursday, October 10, 2019)….
David James, Finishing Construction and Production Manager for the Parks Companies, says the site will meet stringent requirements. He also noted the $1.2 to $1.4-million dollar facility that is being proposed meets and exceeds all setback requirements.
Some Ridge Farm area residents say they are concerned not only about odor, but also about how the pig operations might impact their property values and wells. They were told two wells on the property should be more than enough to meet the need of around 7,000 gallons of water a day.
The Parks Companies hopes to be able to begin construction on the building early next summer…and have it operational by next fall.
