Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 10, 1990 TAG: 9006100184
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLES CITY LENGTH: Short
Folks in this rural county say the odor from Nice's farm - called Niceview - is unbearable and ruins their way of life. They say they have to stay inside with the windows closed and can't dry their clothes outside after the manure is spread on Nice's 600 acres of wheat, barley, corn and soybeans fields.
"What else am I supposed to do?" Nice asked. "I'm sorry if hog manure smells. If they got a different solution to the problem, let me know and I'll be glad to do it."
Nice's wife, Lois, said Saturday that the couple has had the farm for eight years and started the pig farm in 1984.
"We have the most beautiful place in Charles City County," Lois Nice said. "It's spotless and we have a big lake in front."
At least two complaints to the county Board of Supervisors last month led the board to ask whether Nice's operations comply with local and state laws.
William Britton, county planning director, investigated and concluded this week that Nice is in compliance with all regulations.
Nice said the crops are fertilized only four times a year with manure from the 50 sows and about 400 pigs. He said the fields probably will be spread with manure this week.
Zelma Wynn, who lives about three-quarters of a mile from Niceview, said the smell sometimes lasts up to three days.
Herman R. Adkins, owner of Adkins Store about a mile from the farm, said the smell is strong but tolerable.
"That's his living," Adkins said. "People forget that they are in the country and that you have these odors sometimes."
by CNB