Board gives unanimous OK to Goblirsch hog operation

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- More than 30 residents of rural Brown County attended the commission meeting Tuesday morning to voice their comments and concerns regarding a proposed conditional use permit for a new 936-animal unit hog feedlot.

The proposal from Robert and Kathy Goblirsch in Section 27 of Stark Township was unanimously approved by the board.

"I just wanted the board to know that our doing this was not a whim, we've been considering doing this for 10 years," said Kathy Goblirsch, "Most of the people here support this and think that Robert is a good farmer."

A nearby resident who lives a half mile away, Linus Kral, said from his observations Goblirsch is a good farmer.

"I don't think it's up to me to decide whether or not Rob can do this or not," said Kral.

Other residents expressed concerns about odor, manure management practices, and construction of the hog barn facility.

The Goblirsches will be a contract feeder to Christensen Family Farms, but they will own the buildings that will be constructed for their new operation, Kathy said.

Attorney Hugh Nierengarten, of Nierengarten & Hippert Ltd. who represented Richard Groebner and several neighbors, said the proposed Goblirsch hog facility has the potential to impact 13 families, which breaks down approximately to 34 people in the surrounding area.

"These people here are by-and-large farmers who are concerned about ... the impact this (hog facility) will have on their lives," said Nierengarten, "It's already impacting them. We need to look at the cumulative effect on animal agriculture in this area. There's a lot going on out there now. It's all going to have an impact on the health and welfare of those people who live out there. It will affect their quality of life."

Sam Erickson, Kathy Goblirsch's father said, "Kathy and Rob are a good, young farming couple, and we need to provide opportunities for young couples to farm."

In other business the board:

­ Approved the Brown County Veterans Council's request to place an eternal flame at the Brown County Veterans memorial site on the courthouse grounds.

"This is something the BCVC has been thinking of for a long time," said BCVC Adjutant Jerome Bentz.

The BCVC will pay for the installation of the eternal flame and maintenance and operational costs of the flame.

­ Approved a reroofing project by the Brown County Ag Society for the White Exhibition Building on the south end of the county fairgrounds. The BCAS appropriation of $20,000 was budgeted. Work will be done in May.

­ Approved an appropriation of half of the cost for a historical marker to commemorate Cobden's centennial. Half of the cost, which the county will pay, is $950.