The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By DAVID GRIMES for The Quill
Construction of a two-building livestock management facility three miles west of La Harpe is under way after receiving approval last month from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Andy Johnson, owner and operator of Johnson Farms, requested a permit to construct from the department earlier in the year.
The finished operation will house 4,800 head of swine.
There is no cost attached to the permit, but it is granted or denied based on the owner's compliance with eight points that safeguard the property on which the operation is to be located, as well as the surrounding community as stipulated in the Livestock Management Facilities Act of 1996.
A 1999 amendment to the act allows for a hearing on proposed facilities.
While the hearing may be requested by a county board or through a petition signed by at least 75 resident county voters, the ultimate decision is made by the Department of Agriculture.
A hearing on the proposed Johnson operation was held in November at the request of the county board.
Board members later issued a non-binding recommendation to the ag department approving issuance of the permit.
A report by the Springfield engineering firm Frank & West showed Johnson satisfied each of the eight criteria and has complied with requirements regarding environmental concerns.
The state Department of Agriculture issued its decision Dec. 23.