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Bills that could restrict local control discussed Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Agri News staff writer
WILLMAR, Minn. -- Bills that could restrict township and county input on feedlot expansions were the topic of a meeting organized by the Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota National Farmers Organization and the Land Stewardship Project last week.
"Our focus is on putting the wheel on the road to make sure the state Legislature doesn't take away what townships need to do for the best of their community," said Mark Schultz, LSP policy and organization director.
Organizers want lawmakers to hear from constituents who are concerned about the future of township government. Participants with cell phones were urged to call their state legislators before they left the Kandi Entertainment Center.
Event organizers cited Minnesota Agri-Growth's report, the "Minnesota Livestock Industry Benchmark Report," that says the "township and hearing structure is a central negative issue" toward livestock development in the state.
The group has taken issue with much of the Agri-Growth Council's report, saying its not an accurate picture of the state's agriculture. The MFU, NFO, LSP and Sustainable Farming Association have created a Citizen Task Force on Livestock Farmers and Rural Communities to study challenges facing independent livestock farmers and rural communities.
Nancy Barsness, a New Prairie Township officer and Minnesota Association of Townships District 5 director, has helped 40 townships establish zoning ordinances. The process doesn't happen overnight, she said. It takes time to create a vision for the township, develop the ordinance and then conduct public hearings. She helped author the zoning ordinance in her township that was challenged in court, but upheld by a district judge.
Township government can address odor, nuisance and road maintenance issues in its ordinances.
Through zoning ordinances, townships can encourage ag production for smaller producers, she said.
"They say it takes a village, but I also think it takes a township," Barsness said. "There are ways we can be supportive of our communities and our schools."
She wants township officers to remember that they do have controls, she said.
Of the state's 1,795 townships, only about 400 have some type of zoning ordinances, said Jim Peters, an Alexandria-based attorney who works with townships. The townships that have zoning ordinances often have farmers who serve as supervisors. They understand livestock and the planning and zoning process, he said. |
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