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That’s because very public displays of farm machinery doesn’t necessarily mean the public is persuaded that it can be cut out of the permitting process for feedlots.
Some farmers and agricultural businesses have misread the public outcry over proposed changes to the county’s process for permitting feedlots. One of the proposals would have taken the permitting process and put it behind closed doors.
Understandably, residents cried foul when it was discovered they’d no longer be able to watch their government in action and they wouldn’t be able to raise concerns. Farmers interpreted the outcry as a public statement against agriculture, but that’s not the case.
Anyone doing a minimal amount of research about Winona County knows it’s a Minnesota agricultural gem. And, Winona’s economy is largely driven because of deep agricultural roots. In Winona County, we can be proud that our children know where milk comes from (and it’s not a store).
But two other things mean a great deal to Winona County residents — the amazing land we inhabit and having an active role in civic life.
We care a great deal for this land, in part because the entire county’s economic health is tied to the land and farms here. We also realize the amazing natural beauty of this land is something that should be preserved and protected. It’s a good thing that this area has fostered a protective spirit among the residents, who often see themselves as guardians of a special, nearly sacred land.
Winonans also have a proud tradition of public involvement in government. In Winona County, we believe that you don’t have to be elected in order to have your voice heard. Civic engagement is a way of life and oftentimes a participatory exercise. No one ever said democracy was easy, pretty or expedient. However, transparency and accountability do a world of good for public trust, and county commissioners were right to reject an idea that thwarted both.
Yet a new proposal before the county that creates a special feedlot hearing board doesn’t quite do the trick either.
Farmers are right — all too often the county planning commission doesn’t have the specialized training and background necessary to make consistent decisions on conditional-use permits. It is both understandable and right that farmers and feedlot operators should demand more science and fewer arbitrary decisions. We agree with that.
But cutting the public out of the process wasn’t the way to do it, neither is a special board that answers to no one.
The new feedlot board would be filled with folks who are not elected, merely appointed by the county board.
More problematic, though, the feedlot board would have the final say on any conditional-use permit. This action short circuits a very important check.
With the exception of a township board official and a county commissioner, no other member of the feedlot panel would be elected. That means there is virtually no accountability to elected officials, who are voted in so that they can look out for the public interest at large.
Unlike the planning commission, which has its decisions reviewed by the county commissioners, this new board would have no oversight, no balance. The county board would be powerless to review the decisions and weigh in. We believe it’s absolutely critical the county board have the chance to review the conditional-use permits before they’re granted.
Is that the most efficient way? Not necessarily since it adds another step to the process.
But, is that the most transparent, accountable way?
Absolutely, since the county commissioners are the representatives the voters chose to make the tough decisions that really count — and few decisions can have more hanging in the balance than our farmers and our land.
We like the idea of a feedlot review board. We also like the idea of oversight by the county board.
We’re impressed that the county didn’t try to strongarm a decision about the feedlot issue. The county took a lot of input and then went back to the drawing board to attempt a solution that satisfies more people.
We’re definitely closer to a solution, but not quite there.
The Winona Daily News editorial board also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call 453-3507 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.
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