Despite objections, supervisors recommend approval of sow farm

After its third public hearing in the last week and a half, the Calhoun County board of supervisors voted unanimously to recommend the approval of a large Iowa Select sow farm projected to create 18 jobs between Somers and Knierim despite Environmental Health Specialist Shelly Schossow’s questioning of points she believed to be taken in error on the Master Matrix application. “I spent 60 hours on this project. I should not have to spend that much time.
(The Department of Natural Resources) is not giving us the tools we need to do this,” Schossow said. “They’re expecting us to look and not telling us what to look for… I’ve talked to so many people, and I’m getting mixed messages.”
The overlying debate pitted the values of economic development and keeping younger generations involved in farming against increasing corporate infl uence over the industry, environmental concerns and quality of life for neighbors.
“I think it’s a very good deal. I don’t have any objections to it whatsoever. I can’t see no negatives,” a supporter said. “People are not going to die… There are going to be 18 employees. What company have we had in the last 30 years that’s employed (18 people)?”
Schossow’s deduction of 60 points would have placed the application under the passing threshold of 440 and potentially could have derailed the entire project, but supervisors Carl Legore, Scott Jacobs and Mike Cooper still gave it the green light.
Read the full story in the February 14 edition.