Farmer will withdraw request for 4,000-head hog farm

A Jackson County farmer plans to withdraw his request for a special exception that would allow construction of a 4,000-head hog farm near Brownstown.

Grant VonDielingen said he is confident his request would receive approval at Tuesday night’s Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals hearing and withstand any resulting legal challenges.

But the prospect of those challenges and the acrimony directed at him forced a change in heart, the 26-year-old farmer said in an interview Monday afternoon.

“The stress and frustration my family and I have suffered has taken my heart out of this project,” VonDielingen said. “A wise man told me, ‘If your heart isn’t right, nothing is going to work.’”

VonDielingen told Building Commissioner Mike Weir about his plan to withdraw the request Monday morning. He said he intends to formally withdraw it at Tuesday night’s zoning board meeting.

For the full story, see Tuesday's edition of The Tribune and watch www.TribTown.com for updates.