Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Operational Ordinances topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Farmers tell Dunn County committee operational ordinances would burden local agriculture
Summary
Several Dunn County residents and farmers told the Planning Committee Dec. 17 they oppose operational agricultural ordinances, arguing size-based thresholds and business-hour restrictions would harm family farms and not necessarily improve groundwater protection.
Multiple residents and farmers urged the Dunn County Planning, Resources and Development Committee on Dec. 17 not to pursue operational agricultural ordinances, saying draft standards would capture established family farms and could impose impractical limits on farm work.
Tony Chrisoberson, who identified himself as a farmer living in Elk Mound, said he submitted copies of operational ordinances from Polk and Burnett counties for committee review. He cautioned those sample ordinances could create unintended consequences and said, "so anyway, so I guess I'm opposed to any sort of operational ordinance." Chrisoberson also questioned a draft threshold he said was set at 500 animal units, noting the state’s regulatory benchmark is 1,000 animal units and that many local farms are near 430 animal units.
Kevin Gobenson, a fifth‑generation dairy farmer, told the committee many standards in the sample ordinances conflict with conservation practices his farm has implemented with County Land Conservation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, UW–Madison and the DNR. He urged caution, saying past practices left Elk Creek degraded but that recent conservation efforts helped restore it: "Now it's a class, high class trout stream," he said.
Andrea Wolf said operational ordinances would add financial and time burdens that could harm county agriculture and jobs. "Dairy farming brings in a $165,000,000 in milk. That is the largest single commodity in the county," she said, arguing regulations could halt efficient production and cause economic decline.
Dave Acker, a former farmer, added brief remarks opposing operational ordinances while emphasizing agreement on wanting safe water "but we gotta do it right too." Committee members and staff acknowledged the public comments and said farmers would be invited to participate in any further discussion.
No formal ordinance or regulatory change was proposed or voted on at the meeting; the topic was listed as a possible future discussion item and staff indicated the committee might gather more information before any formal action.
