This news story and 2 minute video by John Clay appeared on WTAJ-TV on March 20th, 2019.
Todd Township, Huntingdon County – About 10 minutes from Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County sits Todd Township. About 1000 peole live there. Some run family farms that are welcome. But a new type of farm has residents steaming. And they’re desperate to find a way to keep it out.
They are called CAFOS or concentrated animal feeding operations. The Warner family, just opened a hog farm in cooperation with the Hattfield Ham Company near New Fording Road and Route 994. Residents believe they will be home to 20,000 pigs a year.
And the residents that are part of the Todd Township Comunity Action group believe that manure that collects in a lagoon under the barns would be able to be spread out on the surrounding farmlands throughout the year. The whole operation will bring a strong smell. That could hurt campgrounds and area businesses.
Residents worry about the impact on property values, water supply and Raystown Lake, one of the most valuable resources in the region.
The PA Attorney General says he’ll sue Todd Township over a bill of rights it passed last summer to keep the CAFOS out.
Hattfield Ham didn’t return our calls to comment.
The Todd Township Community Action Group says they are prepared to Harrisburg to push lawmakers to change the definition of what a farm is in Pennsylvania.
This news story can be read and viewed at its original source HERE.