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When news broke of a large dairy being locating in Wood County, many farmers, including Farm Bureau members, wanted to stop its construction. There was a lot of division throughout the county about Manders Dairy moving into Weston and the impact it would have on the rest of the community.

To put its members at ease, Wood County Farm Bureau held its August board meeting on site at the farm. Following the meeting, the board received a tour of the new operation. Another big step in lessening the dissention was inviting Walter Manders, operator of the dairy, to be the guest speaker at the Wood County Farm Bureau annual meeting.

"We thought by having Manders speak to our group, we could educate them about the operation. We learned he was operating to reduce the odor from the manure and run a clean operation," said Jeremy Harrison, OFBF organization director for Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties.

Manders uses sand in the stalls to reduce the odor and makes them easier to clean. The farm is currently milking 470 head three times a day, but wants to increase to 650.

Wood County FB is also sponsoring tours of the Manders’ farm this fall. Anyone interesting in attending should call the Wood County FB office at 419-833-4500.