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Farmer holds meeting to explain proposed changes, answer concerns

Thursday, June 4, 2009
By ERIC CRUMP/Editor

Jon Burge is keenly aware that hog farming in the vicinity of Arrow Rock is a subject burdened with recent controversies and the potential to generate conflict.

But as he makes plans to expand his hog operation, he is taking a different approach -- and getting different results -- than other hog producers have.

The type of operation Burge is proposing is closer to Arrow Rock than the facility proposed by Dennis Gessling two years ago. Gessling's operation, which wasn't developed, would have been two miles from the village. Burge's will be about one-half mile away from town and even closer to the Arrow Rock Historic Site campground.

The scale of operation, however, is much different. Burge's will be smaller (see the story above by Marcia Gorrell) and, he believes, generate little or no odor detectable in the village.

Burge is also taking a proactive approach to community relations. He called a meeting of interested Arrow Rock-area residents May 23 to explain his ideas and respond to concerns.

"We're trying to work together," he said. "This will establish that we can raise hogs and get along."

At the meeting, about 15 people raised questions he expected to hear -- about proximity, about visibility and about odor -- and they seemed satisfied with the responses he provided, he said.

Unlike the town meetings in 2007, which evolved into an organization -- Citizens to Protect State Parks and Historic Sites -- Burge's neighbors seem more willing to accept his project.

One leader of CPSPHS, Julie Fisher, said she attended Burge's meeting and has learned more about the approach he plans to use. She says she is encouraged.

"I see this is an opportunity for Arrow Rock to provide a powerful argument to CAFO proponents who have continued to accuse our community (and others), of being 'anti-agriculture,'" Fisher said in an e-mail message. "While many of us are anti-CAFO, sustainable agriculture practices ... offer a way to stand behind farmers who elect to raise livestock the right way. My hat is off to Jonathan Burge for making a decision to do just that."

Friends of Arrow Rock Executive Director Kathy Borgman noted that people generally seemed reassured by what they learned at the meeting.

"I think people appreciated the lower number (of animals) and the more sustainable style of raising pigs," she said. "We do live in an agricultural area, so if we can raise hogs in small numbers" that's good.

Not all local CAFO opponents are enthusiastic about Burge's plans.

Tom Beamer said he remains skeptical that the small-scale approach will become a viable business, but he wishes Burge well.

"I hope it'll do good for him. At the meeting, nobody was against him," he said. "If we had a choice, we don't want to see it there."

Mary Beamer said her concern was not so much with Burge's operation but with the precedent it might set. She fears other hog producers might take the opportunity to set up small operations near the village.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

Comments

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farmerwife - no, I don't complain... I know who raises 'em and what feed goes into the meat I eat. I eat less of it, and make it last, but I DO and am happy to - and it tastes great!

-- Posted by NanaDot on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 2:07 PM

NanaDot--I looked at some of the prices on some of the links you provided--Bet we could hear you complaining if we were selling meat around here at these prices--also--these folks don't have a processing plant or organic meat market do they?? Haven't heard of them putting anything like that up in the Arrow Rock area and transportation for a few hogs at a time is going to be quite expensive--and twelve sows farrowing at a time the way Mr. Burge is explaining it is not going to produce a trailer load of finished hogs at a time--Hope for his sake there is something going on in a nich market that he has not made available yet!!

-- Posted by farmerwife on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 1:31 PM

"Efficiency is the key to making it work these days and I don't see that in a small operation that has no confinement system."

http://www.sare.org/

http://www.kcfoodcircle.org/

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/

http://www.goodearthfarms.com/Pastured_P...

http://sustainableagriculture.net/

http://www.missourifarmersunion.org/coop...

http://www.eatwild.com/products/missouri...

Good for you, Jon, and best wishes for your success!

-- Posted by NanaDot on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 12:34 PM

WM - If they want it historic, they should have hogs in every yard, along with horses, chickens and a milk cow. Oh and of course pigs being driven down the main street.

The difference is this farm isn't as close to a certain millionaire from KC (who's made his money condemning homes and building strip malls) who comes to Arrow Rock to stay in his "country home." He's bankrolling the other lawsuit.

Besides no farmers will go to AR anymore, so some AR people are realizing they can't look too anti-agriculture - they said all along they weren't. There are still plenty against it if you read the story. They forget they live in an agriculture community - think they are still in NY.

-- Posted by judgmental bast*** on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 9:13 AM

It is my contention that there is very little history connected with the "Historic Village of Arrow Rock" as it is today!! First of all, if it had any history value to it there would be a barn behind the houses that would have a milk cow, some chickens, a sow and pigs, a vegatable garden, cats and dogs, perhaps a few ducks or geese, some goats and sheep AND an OUTHOUSE!! Then the "historic village council" wouldn't have to decide whose farming operation would be a threat with the smell. They would have their own authetic smell. Then and only then would Arrow Rock look like the village of the past, rather than the village of the future.

It will be interesting to see how long a "small hog operation" will last as there are no local markets to sell hogs unless you sell them one at a time to folks who butcher their own or ship them quite a distance and the cost exceed the profit (if any) very fast. Efficiency is the key to making it work these days and I don't see that in a small operation that has no confinement system. I wish these folks the best in their venture and hope they have good jobs off the farm so they can afford this HOBBY!!

-- Posted by farmerwife on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 9:02 AM

I am still baffled by the contradiction of the citizens in Arrow Rock against Gessling's Hog farms and the support for Burge's. Some of the Arrow Rock Citizens say they want the town as close to its roots as possible-- yet-- do they not have all the modern conveniences as everyone else does-- they just decorate differently than some. Arrow Rock is right in the middle of all agricultural areas and I know for a fact that some of these barns don't smell beyond a few yards of the barns-- citing Mr. Gesslings farm-- it was reported in the paper that the reporter did not smell anything a few yards from the barn.

Maybe it all depends on who you know and what your last name is

-- Posted by workingmom on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 8:30 AM

First Child:

There is a HUGE difference between the operation on 65 Highway and Gesslings operation or Burge's operation. Like 10 buildings (2000 plus hogs each) to the two Gessling proposed or the 24 sows Burge proposes.

Unfortunately these family farmers are paying for the sins of corporations.

All hogs have a smell but if done in the right way they don't have to stink!

Besides people have built new houses all around since the operation went in on 65 highway. Must not be so bad anymore.

Polka Dot - good points.

-- Posted by judgmental bast*** on Fri, Jun 5, 2009, at 7:35 AM

I think Mr. Gessling should put up some "small number" hog operations on the other sides of the town.

I guess Arrow Rock just gets to pick and choose who can and can't do what around their town?

Good Luck Mr. Burge hope your pigs don't stink or Arrow Rock will be suing away your ability to raise your family like they did Mr.Gessling.

-- Posted by Polka Dot on Thu, Jun 4, 2009, at 11:22 PM

Do you not realize Arrow Rock was once where livestock was sold? To be historically correct, not only should hogs be close by, there should be a few in every backyard along with a milkcow and 20 chickens!!

If you really want it to be like it was in the 1800s then farmers should be driving their livestock down the middle of the street on their way to loading them on the river!!

Sustainable means able to stay in business and provide food. Gesslings operation is sustainable as well.

While this may be a great approach to raising hogs it won't be profitable unless people are willing to pay a lot more for the hogs.

Neither operations are or were a threat to the "historic" town!!

-- Posted by judgmental bast*** on Thu, Jun 4, 2009, at 8:01 PM

Well if folks don't want these businesses around them then they should simply buy them out. The cost for a family farm will be mighty high, but if that is what you want then go for it. I wish him and all of us in Ag nothing but the best, however, to have a sustainable, safe and cheap food source there has to be some compromises.

I am concerned that the "Green Movement" is getting a bit overloaded with their cause. Ultimately we will all pay by not having the food we need or not being able to afford it.

Again, I wish him well with this enterprise!

-- Posted by Dave in MidMO on Thu, Jun 4, 2009, at 1:00 PM