There are a total of 2,600 livestock operations and more than 400,000 acres of prime farmland in Stearns County. Preserving the county’s farmland while incorporating rural residential development is the focus of a summit to take place Monday, March 15, in Freeport. The Stearns County Agriculture and Rural Residential Planning and Zoning Summit will plan for the future using feedback from city and township officials, livestock producers, farmers, and both urban and rural residents. Input gathered will allow county policy-makers to move ahead with resolving planning and zoning issues, enhance the livestock industry and ensure that development takes place as appropriate. The summit will take place at the Freeport Community Center from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, March 15. The registration deadline is Friday, March 12. To register, please call the Environmental Services Department at (320) 656-3613 or (800) 450-0852. The cost is $7.50, which covers the noon meal. Attendees can pay at the door the day of the meeting. This event is sponsored by the Stearns County Board of Commissioners, Stearns County Dairy Advisory Committee, and the Stearns County Environmental Services Department.
