In many parts of the Midwest, township governments are serving as an effective line of defense against the influx of large factory livestock operations. When a Factory Farm Comes to Town: Protecting Your Township From Unwanted Development is a new Land Stewardship Project publication developed specifically for local government officials and rural residents concerned about their community's future.
The guide takes a pro-agricultural perspective and identifies ways that rural citizens can legally restrict the establishment of industrial livestock operations in their townships. In easy to understand language, this 35-page booklet provides step-by-step guidance for using the Minnesota Interim Ordinance and other tools in the stateÕs Municipal Planning law. It also contains an overview of comprehensive planning and an extensive list of resources.
"This guide is specifically targeted at rural citizens who want to use local democracy to guide their community toward family farm agriculture that is environmentally, economically and socially responsible," said Mark Schultz, the Land Stewardship Project's policy director.
To order a copy, send $6 (that covers shipping; LSP members receive a 10 percent discount; Minnesota residents add 6.5 percent for sales tax) to: LSP, 2200 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110. For more information, call (612) 653-0618.
