Eichelberger Farms of Iowa plans to buy 20 acres from a private owner just south of Interstate 70 for a 10,000-hog confined animal feeding operation.

Residents who oppose the project tell the Columbia Missourian (bit.ly/1njMalP0) they will “explore all legal options available to protect our health, lifestyles and property rights.”

Like most rural counties, Callaway lacks planning and zoning laws that would restrict commercial and industrial projects to certain areas.

Project opponents say that two decades ago, the same prospective seller cited community opposition in rejecting a Cargill purchase offer that would have created a CAFO with five times as many confined hogs housed in 80 buildings.

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Information from: Columbia Missourian, http://www.columbiamissourian.com