Neighbor and Community Relations is the fourth and final part of Site Considerations article series. Neighbor and community relations are directly related to the productivity of your farm, and are a critical part of environmental stewardship. Keeping good relations with the community is important in reducing complaints towards the operation and could make the future possibility of expanding much easier. In addition, time spent building these relationships, at your choosing, can maximize your time during critical periods when labor is at a premium.
If you are in a situation when you can predict complaints, then you should make an effort to discuss your production practices with your neighbors. The more they understand what is involved with modern production agriculture , the better the chances are that complaints toward your operation will decrease.
As mentioned earlier, if an operation currently has a negative reputation within the community the idea of expansion is bound to bring opposition, without obvious efforts to establish positive goodwill. These citizens are concerned with water and air quality. They usually are not against animal agriculture but want to maintain a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. One step you could take is to discuss with them the practices your operation uses to avoid air and water pollution (such as incorporation of manure and following recommended setbacks from environmentally sensitive areas). This will help them understand that spreading manure doesn’t equal pollution and health risks. It may help to let them know the benefits of manure. A couple of these could be the recycling of organic matter and nutrients needed to produce health crops. Aside from community education, there are a few things that you could do around the farm. One you have probably heard before is landscaping. This gives a farm “curb appeal” and will create an image of a well kept farm. Windbreaks will help in keeping the odors from drifting towards neighbors and add to the landscaping of the farm. Windbreaks can be a good investment in reducing odor complaints, however, may take a number of years to establish. Covering a manure storage facility is a more complete way of reducing odors. There are a variety of covers available to fit different farm needs and goals. Doing some research is the best way to determine which cover will fit your farm.
The applying manure can also be a big source of odors. Broadcasting manure causes the most odors because the manure is flung into the air. This releases more odors than direct injection. Direct injection is the best alternative but working the manure into the ground after surface application can help reduce the length of time the smell hangs around. Your decision of when you apply should use some common sense. Applying Friday through Sunday will likely irritate the neighbors more than on days when they are at work, assuming off-farm employment. If it is a nice warm weekend, chances are, people are probably outside working or playing and don’t want to be disrupted by odor. They also may be planning on having guests over. If it is crucial that you apply on the weekend, call the neighbors ahead of time and let them know your plans.
It is important to develop a good relationship with the community around you in order to operate smoothly. Education can be a strong tool for your neighbors. Talk to them or invite them over for a tour. Lastly, remember to be considerate of your neighbors and that they are probably more sensitive to the odors than someone who works around it everyday. Making a few small changes can make a big difference when it comes to neighbor and community relations. To see a complete version of the Site Considerations and past articles visit oema.osu.edu/OEMAPublications.htm and click on the first link Site Considerations for Production Facilities.
