It is during the EAW that the public and regulatory agencies, such as the DNR, can weigh in with any environmental concerns. The EAW — mostly a state process — will likely take much of the winter to complete. Nicollet County will then have to give its permitting approvals.

Davis faced opposition to early plans for Northern Plains. He said the process for this barn may not be easier, but he expects the debate to be different.

“I think we and the public are more educated and up to speed now. I think we’ll spend more time on the important issues and not just general education,” Davis said.

“The public has had exposure to Northern Plains with visits and things, so the dialogue will be more informed from the get go.”

Robert Redding, Nicollet County deputy zoning administrator, said his office has received some odor complaints about Northern Plains since it opened four years ago.

He said there is just one state-regulated issue related to odor that can be enforced — the level of hydrogen sulfide emissions.

He said Davis has responded quickly to odor complaints and, when a study showed the dairy could exceed state sulfide emissions, Northern Plains added compounds to the waste to significantly reduce sulfide and odor.

“It’s mostly issues of odor as an annoyance,” Redding said of complaints made by neighbors. “Northern Plains has been very good about responding to complaints. I’ll commend them for that. They’re quite expedient.”

Davis said the technology is improving steadily and the new barn will have less odor problems.

“The manure digester and everything has improved since six or seven years ago. The barns are designed better as far as cross ventilation to capture odor.

“The bedding, everything is improved to reduce odor.”

Opportunity for training

The university will pay to build a small dormitory where four students at a time will stay for two-week periods. There will also be a treatment room, small lab, and a classroom and related technology that will be built and maintained by the university.

Davis said the dairy and the family’s food business will also allow students to see safety and security measures needed in today’s world.

“With Homeland Security rules we have things in place to secure it right through to the factory and they can follow how that’s done,” Davis said.