Despite having sixteen confined animal feeding operations within its borders and becoming a national talking point for water quality issues, Kewaunee County residents will have to travel quite a distance to get their voice heard at upcoming livestock siting ordinance hearings.  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection will host six public hearings discussing the changes, with the closest one being Thursday’s session in Oshkosh. Rule changes include water quality standards and procedures for permitting. Town of Lincoln chairperson Cory Cochart says it is a step in the right direction, though some help is needed.

Since the town of Lincoln passed the livestock siting ordinance in 2012, it has only been used once after Kinnard Farms in Casco applied for a conditional use permit for its renewable energy plant.