For farmers in Stearns County, in-vessel mortality composting, or the disposing of animal carcasses through a composting machine, is becoming more popular. However, Stearns County’s Planning and Zoning Ordinance does not currently allow the structures.
Stearns County’s Environmental Services Department is in the process of making an ordinance change allowing the composters in agricultural zoning districts, drafting new language to address this new technology. Until the ordinance is in place, farmers need to wait to put in these composters.
The ordinance changes will be reviewed by various County committees; the County Board will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance changes September 14, 2010 at 10:05 a.m. The proposed ordinance includes setbacks to residential dwellings, public waters and property lines. Any changes allowing the composters would not occur before early October.
Feedlot owners wishing to install a composter must obtain a permit from the County and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Any permanent manure stockpile associated with a composter must also be permitted through the County.
Anyone with questions about the proposed ordinance changes or about the County permits should call the Environmental Services Department at 320-656-3613 or 1-800-450-0852.