Dear Judge Klein:
Most Family farms are barely surviving, averaging 300 to 500 acres. ( 300 acres isn't enough to sustain a family with out at least one provider working in the city.) The counties already restrict the farmer on his ability to produce; with animal units, manure management and permits. Why has the local and state governments declared war on the family farm? This MPCA rule will effectively push more small farmers out of business. When did we become the enemy? Don't you realize that all the little farmers like me are the competition to the large corporate farms, keeping your food cost low. With out the small independent farmer the corporation farms would triple your food prices.
Farmers are not the environments problem! The U of M did a study of  the who, what and where of chemicals; guess what 2/3 of the chemical purchased went on city lawns. These lawn care companies are the ones the MPCA need to look at. These lawn care companies apply 28% nitrates and 2-4D at 5 to 10 times the rate needed so the city dwellers can have a beautiful lawn. 10% stays with the lawn, guess where the other 90% goes.
As I understand; all ready the feedlot officer here in Rice County is abusing the authority given him; he made 4 farmers in the Northfield sell off their herds sighting they were the cause for the contamination in the Cannon River. After a study was completed it was found that the City of Northfields sewage plant could not handle a very large rain fall and its sewage over flowed in to the river. When the farmers threatened to sue, the planning and zoning said go ahead the county attorney is on a yearly salary. The point is; that these state and county officials are not accountable for their action; yet they can effectively kill a family farm with out any recourse to them.
Between Federal programs, the State and County bureaucrats the farmer has lost his rights.
We are no longer FREE.  I served four years during the 60's in the US Air Force. I was part of the iron curtain in Germany. I thought I was keeping the communist and their socialistic government contained, what happened? When a bureaucrat can come on your property and tell you what you can and can not do; that is socialism. I served my county keeping Russia contained for the cause of freedom, and now I have my own country taking my freedom away.
This rule will require all farmers to register with the MPCA.
Quote " Failure to register will result in a penalty. " Unquote.
I urge you to stop this attack on small percentage of us family farms that are left.
What's next are you going to make us ware a yellow star like Hitler did with the Jew's?

This MPCA rule will have substantial financial impacts on the small farmers, effectively putting many of us out of business.

I urge you to Reject the entire rule.

Thank you for your time:
Del Voegele  ( Small Farm Operator )
22274 Jackson Ave
Morristown, MN 55052
Ph 507-685-4384
 
 

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