Larson Acres expansion gets first nod
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Larson Acres is hoping to expand their farms to double the size of their herd, if the permits go through, the expansion will likely be completed around April 2010.
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Larson Acres is able to recycle sand by using machines to separate the sand from the solid manure. Here, a machine late in the process sends the manure up a conveyer belt to be loaded onto a truck.
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MAGNOLIA TOWNSHIP — The clock has started ticking toward a town of Magnolia decision on a proposed dairy farm expansion at Larson Acres.
The town on Thursday deemed the farm’s conditional-use permit application complete. That gives the town 90 days to approve or turn down the application.
The planning commission also voted to recommend to the board that it approve the application. The commission’s vote suggested the board consider requiring the farm to test surface water in two nearby creeks as well as in a small number of private wells located downhill from the farm and to require landscaping on a berm between the farm and its neighbor to the north.
The town board will hold a public hearing and likely will take up the matter at its regular November meeting.
In July, Larson Acres submitted an application to build a $12.8 million expansion. The project would double the farm’s herd to 5,275 Holsteins. Currently the farm raises 2,668 animals on two farms at 18218 W. Highway 59, Evansville, and 17162 W. County B, Brodhead.
Both farms are in Magnolia Township in northwestern Rock County.
Two weeks ago, the farm added to the original application after the town said it was incomplete.
A mix of town residents and agricultural professionals spoke during Thursday’s public hearing. All who spoke were in favor of the expansion, although many cautioned that local groundwater must be protected.
The farm has gotten most of the approvals it needs for the project, spokesman Mike Larson said. All construction permits have been approved, but the farm is waiting for permits from the town and the state to populate the facility, Larson said.
Construction already is under way.
Wind moratorium
The plan commission on Thursday unanimously voted to recommend a moratorium on wind farm construction in Magnolia Township.
The town board Tuesday could vote on the issue.
The point of the moratorium is to cover the gray area left between the local ordinance the town adopted in July and the state ordinance that could be adopted in the future, town attorney Glenn Reynolds said.
Gov. Jim Doyle in September signed a state law that puts the siting of small wind projects into the hands of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
Once the statewide siting rules are written, they will overrule local ordinances.
Magnolia’s moratorium would not include turbines for use by private homeowners, Reynolds said.
The town of Union enacted a similar moratorium earlier this month. Both towns have adopted wind-siting ordinances.
Wind developer EcoEnergy has proposed projects in both communities.
Oct 11, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
larson acres? one of the cleanest neatest dairys in wisconsin. They are so neat around there they could host the dairy breakfest any day with out notice.
Oct 10, 2009 at 4:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Babycakes
I understand that volume is the key to making it.
It is called subsidies from the government. It is not necessary to make a profit. I would not live in the country in Wisconsin without a reverse-osmosis water filter. Wisconsin has the most polluted water in the U.S.
It is the way of the future and financed by banks that are financed by our taxes/bailout.
Are we ready to vote the bums out??
Oct 10, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Isn't it par for the course that Larsons are already doing their expansion without the final go ahead. Seems like they are putting the cart before the horse. Nice that the neighbor to the north will have some landscaping done but what about the neighbor to the west who is in another township and county? Where any of the green county neighbors considered concerning all of this? I doubt it. Milk prices are not good. Seems to me that someone is not doing the math. I hope these farmers can make it with all the debt. I pray they make it but how to you repay 12 million dollars? They should probably stay the size they are now so they can manage it financially. Milk prices are hurting farmers.
Oct 10, 2009 at 3:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
They will be drinking their own waste eventually don't you think planning commission?
Oct 10, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is so unnatural
Oct 9, 2009 at 7:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
I wish the Larson's well. My ONLY concern is the DNR statement that said the underground aquafer would "likely" be able to handle the doubling of water usage. We just seem to get these kinds of things wrong too often. But, as I said, I wish them all success.
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