County to apply for 'Livestock friendly' designation

Cheyenne County will seek to join all five of its neighboring Nebraska counties – and three dozen counties throughout the state – in being designated "Livestock friendly."

A public hearing on Monday when county commissioners considered applying for the designation was packed with supporters. A motion to submit the application passed unanimously.

Tyson Narjes, a county resident, first approached commissioners about the Nebraska Department of Agriculture program eight months ago.

The voluntary program was established by the state Legislature to show support for the agriculture industry. The status is awarded by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and while largely symbolic, honors a county's commitment to agriculture.

As part of the application, commissioners must pass a resolution supporting the livestock industry after holding a public hearing, submit a narrative explaining why the industry is important for the area and supply a copy of county zoning rules and animal feeding regulations.

Last July, Narjes said he was committed to completing all the required paperwork. In addition to the initial application, he explained, there is a document that must be submitted annually to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture noting any changes to county zoning regulations.

Last fall, the county planning and zoning committee split a vote on whether to proceed with the application.

In December, Narjes explained the committee wanted him to contact municipal planning commissions in the county before proceeding.

On Monday, Narjes said he had, and none of the groups had expressed concern.

"Let's put an emphasis on agriculture here today," he said at the meeting.

Steve Martin, of the state agriculture department, was also at the meeting. For some counties, the designation is simply a "tip of the hat to livestock producers, farmers and ranchers," he said. Others use it to help in recruitment efforts, he added.

"It's the county's program, really," he said. "After designated, it's up to you how you want to use it. We don't tell you what to do – we simply evaluate what you've done and tell you if it meets program critera."

Commission chairman Darrell Johnson asked if the county applied and was designated livestock friendly, would it allow the state control of county zoning.

"There is nothing in the regulations that allows us to change what you do," Martin responded.

Jeff Metz, a Morrill County commissioner, said his county was the first in the state to be named livestock friendly. The program allows the county to demonstrate its pride in the agriculture industry, he explained.

"Livestock is what runs our county," he said. "We have agriculture and we're proud of that."

After the public hearing, Cheyenne County commissioners said they supported the initiative.

"I'm in favor of it," commissioner Philip Sanders said.

Following the meeting, Narjes said he submitted the application to Martin.

"He took the application with him, and the Department of Agriculture will be reviewing it," Narjes said.

A final decision on whether the county qualifies for the designation will be made in the near future.

"They review it, and then get back to us with more questions or approve it," he explained.

If approved, a celebration will be scheduled. In other counties, Gov. Pete Ricketts and state and federal politicians have attended the event, he added.

Narjes said he was happy with the support shown at the public hearing.

"For us to get a group together to support an agriculture cause in the county feels great," he said.