VIEWPOINT | Land-use ordinance enforcement critical to future of rural South Dakota
Guest column by Julie Burgod
Transparency, honesty and integrity are qualities every citizen should expect from our government. Over the past year, I have fought to protect my family’s farm, Mina Lake, the landowners and taxpayers of Edmunds County by asking questions about a proposed 25,000-head dairy. I have come to believe that the future of rural South Dakota depends on county commissioners who have the courage to enforce the ordinances they have adopted and faithfully represent the people they serve.
Edmunds County is my home. I was born and raised here. My husband and I have a grain and livestock farm operation. I have owned and operated my crop insurance business for over 20 years. My two sons farm here. My grandchildren are growing up here. Four years ago, we purchased a home at Mina Lake near our farm.
My concerns about this proposed dairy have never been about opposing agriculture. Agriculture is my livelihood, my passion and my family’s future. My concern is to ensure that a project of this size will meet the requirements of county ordinances and state regulations.
