The Illinois Department of Agriculture has scheduled a meeting for 6 pm Monday (7/6) to provide information about a proposed expansion of a hog operation in Ford County.

The Steidinger swine facility northwest of Gibson City is looking to double its size. Colin and Clint Steidinger filed their application with the state in April. The application request would double the size of the current 24-hundred head facility.

Brad Beaver, program manager for the department's Livestock Management Facilities Program. said the informational meeting "will allow the public to learn what is being proposed and provide any comments they have about the facility and ask any questions they have about the operation."

The Ford County Board, within 30 days of the meeting, would then provide the state Ag department with its recommendation on whether the application meets the siting criteria.

The County Board's non-binding recommendation would then be acted on by the Agriculture department. The ag department will have the final say on whether to approve or deny the application, but Beaver stressed that the department usually strongly considers a county board's recommendation.

94.1 WGFA