We have been a customer of Azure Standard, for about a year, since they established a route through Iowa. We have enjoyed and benefited from their products and great service. Our delivery is made by a husband and wife driving team. The team, Gary and Sandy Larson, are now in a fight with their local zoning commission over the establishment of a factory hog farm a mile and a half north of their organic farm.

Unfortunately, there is not much time before the zoning commission makes their determination. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 30, 2007 at 7:30 PM. For background information, I have two documents from Gary. The first document is the testimony Gary gave before the Commissioners. The second document is Gary’s proposed testimony for the April 30th meeting.

Gary asks that if you oppose factory farms that you contact the county commissioners at:

Pierce County Commissioners
C/O County Courthouse
240 2nd St. SE
Rugby, ND 58368

From a personal standpoint, this is something that could happen to anyone who owns a farm. The regulations regarding this is the main reason we decided not to move to Missouri. In fact, when looking for a farm, we seriously considered moving to North Dakota and one of our criteria was that no Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations were within 10 miles of any possible farm purchase. Gary is correct when he says that this factory hog farm will most likely make his farm unmarketable.

The best thing that can be done for Gary and Sandy is to pray. Pray that God will intervene on behalf of his people and stop approval for construction of this farm. Also, no matter where you live, contact the Pierce County Commisioners to express your opposition. Click here to go to a web page with contact information for all of the Commissioners.