I grew up in the country but we only had 2.5 acres which was just enough property for my horse and a cow.
During the summer I would ride my horse from sun up to sun down exploring new trails, visiting with neighbors and racing through fields. Today my husband and I are raising our two children in the country. We have just under nine acres with four horses, 20-plus chickens, two dogs and three cats.
I love living in the country. There’s nothing better than watching the hawks fly around and hunt in our fields. The deer walk through and nibble on the blackberries as they make their way to Lewisville River for a drink. The wild rabbits run around our fencing trying to get into our garden. My backyard is relaxing and entertaining.
Our property was part of a large farming parcel which produced hay before we came along. At one point in time I think it supported dairy cows. Lucky for us, the family decided to divide the property so that each family member could either build or sell their portion. Most sold, but one built.
When I look at the farming along state Route 503, it provides me with a refreshing visual of how things use to be in Clark County. I love to drive along and see how the farmers work the ground and the crops that grow each year. Watching the healthy cows wander through the pastures and head to the barn at milking time puts a smile on my face. I don’t want to see us lose any more of the country but then again, when I am on state Route 503, I am driving on a four-lane road with a lot of traffic.
Brush Prairie is growing
The dairy cows have vehicles going by at 55-plus miles per hour. The tractors and combines on the road are met with the frustration of angry drivers trying to get to their destination. Have you seen the chaos when they try to move the dairy cows from one side of the road to the other? And that’s no “chicken crossing the road” joke.
Let’s not forget that even though the dairy was there first, people who have since moved into the area complain about the smell.
I hate to see us lose another hay field, dairy or farm to concrete and buildings but in my opinion, what’s been started along state Route 503 isn’t going to stop.
That is evidenced by a unanimous decision by the Clark County Council (a rarity these days) to move forward with a plan to convert 600 acres of agriculturally-zoned land adjacent to state Route 503 just south of Brush Prairie into light industrial property, as reported in last week’s Reflector.
This loss of agricultural land dampens my farmer’s heart, but I see the need and the benefits. As reported, if light industrial grows there, it will allow people to work near where they live, increase jobs in our area and add to the county’s tax base.
Part of the proposed 600 acres is Lagler’s Dairy Farm on about 380 acres.
As the area grows from rural to urban, the combination of housing and traffic don’t mix all that well with a large dairy farm.
I support this land bank and light industrial plan. I would much rather see the land go to light industrial use than postage stamp sized lots in subdivisions or tons of apartments. Let’s think ahead, plan ahead and make the light industrial area beautiful and financially lucrative for our community.
Laura Venneri
General Manager, The Reflector
