BEAR GAP - Joel Knoebel has no immediate plans to build a large-scale pig farm in a Cleveland Township residential zone near here, but he won't go as far as to say it's been ruled out.
"I'm not planning on it at this time," the 28-year-old farmer said Tuesday evening at his house, 110 Center School Road.
When asked to clarify what he meant by "at this time," he said he would stand by that phrase.
"Things could change. I value people's integrity and word, so I won't say I won't build one," he said.
What he would say is that he was "very content and comfortable with the opportunities" that have already been presented to his family.
Criticism of Knoebel reached a peak last week when residents near his farmland surrounding Wynn School, Middle and Polk roads approached Cleveland Township supervisors to complain about the "overwhelming" stench of pig manure used on the fields. More importantly, they presented a 64-name petition asking for an amendment to the zoning ordinance that lists agriculture and horticulture as a permitted use within the R2 Residential Medium Density District, which is designated by the township zoning ordinance to provide orderly expansion to residential development.
The amendment would ban a CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) exceeding 100 livestock animals within 500 yards of a residential dwelling in the R2 District.
Two CAFOs already
Joel and his wife, Sarah, 27, live in Cleveland Township with their three children, all under age 3. They are the owners of Cleveland Pork, a four-year-old pork producing operation contracted with Country View Family Farms, Middletown.
On their 600 acres of property, they already have two CAFOs: a 4,500-pig farm located on their home property, approximately three miles away from the R2 District, which is operated under Cleveland Pork; and a 2,200-pig farm located in Irish Valley, which is operated under the name RK Farms Inc.
Joel Knoebel has most recently entered into a contract to buy Shamrock Mills, Paxinos, which provides supplies and medicine for livestock and horses, including ground corn and oats.
Cleveland Pork was honored by the 2011 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards for demonstrating "a firm commitment to safeguarding the environment and their local communities," according to an announcement from the organization earlier this year.
Among the practices for which they were honored were odor-control strategies, farm aesthetics and neighbor relations.
15,000 acres farmed
Between Knoebel and his father, brother and father-in-law, the family has nearly 15,000 acres of farmland in Cleveland and Ralpho townships.
The 86 acres of farmland in question, which was purchased last year, is across the road from the R2 District where many residents said the extreme stench from a few weeks ago kept them awake, that flies and other insects were rampant and that manure run-off had pooled around mailboxes. They are concerned local wells could be polluted.
It's normal practice to spread pig manure - between 4,000 and 5,000 gallons per acre - on his other farmlands, and there have never been complaints, Knoebel said.
"When manure is applied, there's always odor. It's nothing more or less than the standard that I would apply, or anyone else would apply," he said.
Knoebel said he must issue an Act 38 Nutrient Management Plan to the state for approval, which has a maximum allowable spreading rate and a required setback distance from any water sources.
A representative of the Columbia County Conservation District, who stated policy while withholding his name, said Knoebel is spreading at a rate below the maximum limit and spreading further back than the required distance of the setback. He is following state regulations and implementing in accordance with Act 38.
Because his farmland is regulated by the state, his plan is publicly accessible. If anyone wants to read over the plan, a right to know request must be filed with the conservation district.
"We've got it together," Knoebel said about how well his operation is run, "and we will continue to operate in a Christian-like manner," Knoebel said.
Residents 'stand ground'
Nevertheless, Virginia Dall, 70, of 78 Ridge Acres Road, said she feels ignored in the R2 District.
"We have seven good taxpayers back here and we're absolutely invisible. It's a beautiful area. It's a simple life, and we want it to stay the same," she said.
Dall, who lives on 2.11 acres of property, said she signed the petition, but not because she hates farming.
"We don't mind farming. We don't mind animals. But an industrial, large pig farm would be devastating for the area," she said.
Agriculture is allowed, according to the township zoning ordinance, but, "We were there first," she said.
They are not going to give up and even plan to hire an attorney to represent the residents if needed, she said.
"We're going to stand our ground. We're not going to take no for an answer," Dall said.
Henry Doraski, township chairman, previously said a CAFO must be approved by the state and federal government, and any ordinance hindering such businesses could be overturned. The supervisors are seeking advice from their solicitor and checking with state agencies to determine what the township can and can't do.
The next township supervisors' meeting is April 17.
While there are no current plans to build another large scale pig operation in that section of Cleveland Township, Knoebel said he and his family need to make business decisions that make sense.
"We have every intention of growing," he said.
Knoebel said if anyone in the township has any questions or concerns, they are welcome to stop in at his farm or contact him by calling 847-6347 or e-mailing jdk271@yahoo.com.
"I have nothing to hide," he said.