Chicken farm set in Southington
Work is under way on three large barnsBy AMANDA SMITH-TEUTSCHTribune Chronicle
Article Photos
SOUTHINGTON - Even with the economy in a downward spiral, James Allen figures demand for food isn't going to decrease much.
''There's always a market for chicken,'' the Southington resident said.
He's building three 61-by-600 foot barns on his Helsey Fusselman Road property and plans to raise broiler chickens for Case Farms of Winesburg.
A part-time farmer and full-time meat cutter, Allen said he became interested in the poultry industry after learning Case Farms was looking for producers. After an extensive background check, he was approved as a grower for the company.
''After all, they're investing as much in this as I am,'' he said. ''They want to be sure you're taking care of their chickens.''
Chickens will not be confined to cages in the barns, which will be climate-controlled and feature automated feeders. He declined to state the cost of the barns.
When the barns are operational he hopes by the end of the month the first of the chickens will start to arrive, Allen said. Each of the 36,000-square-foot barns will be able to support 40,000 chickens.
Case Farms has facilities in Winesburg and three different facilities in North Carolina. The company sells fresh, frozen and breaded chicken breasts, thighs and drumsticks under its own brand in grocery stores and also supplies chicken to private-label retailers. Roasters, wings and other products are supplied to food service, and still more chicken is set aside by the company for export, according to the Web site.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. broiler industry was worth $43 billion in 2007, and included 36.1 billion pounds of chicken. Of that, 16 percent, or 5.8 billion pounds, were exported to other countries.
Allen said his farm is subject to regulation from the USDA, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.
He will operate the farm with Denise, his wife of eight years, and will be observed by their 5-year-old daughter. His parents and grandparents also have roots in farming, with his grandparents operating what he described as a ''hobby farm'' in Southington.
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SmellsLikePoo
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04-08-09 11:12 PM
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P.S.Thanks for decreasing my property value literally into the *******!!!!
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SmellsLikePoo
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04-08-09 11:09 PM
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Well so much for this place not stinking up the town, "Country Air" is more of a manuer aroma. This odor smells like a burning corpse covered in gorilla shit. It makes you want to throw up in your mouth. 40,000 ******** chickens does not add up to a pleasant country air smell. It already stinks and its only april. Wait till it's 90 degrees in August should be really ripe by then. You honestly believe this isn't going to be a problem? Amazing.....can't wait to sit back and watch this one explode in your faces.
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reader
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01-14-09 8:30 PM
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And just for the record, I just checked the Trumbull county auditor's website. As of today, and in honesty there may be a real estate transfer pending, he does not own that property I don't think. It may be a family member, but I don't see his name listed on HF.
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reader
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01-14-09 7:56 PM
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So I am hearing you say there will be an odor problem because of the possibility of a prevailing wind pattern? He may own the property, but not the air. However, I hope he does well and at least takes into consideration my comments. If an odor does appear, I hope he will take into consideration his neighbors and attempts to find a solution that will be acceptable to all. He probably has read these comments and is now aware of a concern.
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TheCortlandguy
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01-14-09 3:42 PM
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If he so chooses he may do so. Remember that Donaldson did NOT I repeat did NOT live in the farm he milked at everyday. He can live where he wishes and raise chickens where he wishes because he owns BOTH properties. If it bothers you too much may I suggest relocating to the west of the farm..away from the prevailing wind pattern. I would like to suggest to Jim that he put a large open access outhouse on the property too...just to please the crowd.
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reader
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01-14-09 12:26 PM
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And those farmers on HF live on their farms. We expect Jim and his family to join his 120,000 chickens and us soon.
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TheCortlandguy
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01-14-09 7:30 AM
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Well it is a "farming" community so I am quite sure the folks can handle the smell. This is the typical nimby (not in my back yard) comment that people make when someone else is about to one-up them with an innovative idea. Helsey Fusselman road, especially on the west end of it, is almost ALL farms. Jim is just following in his dad's footsteps of owning his own successful business. Way to Go!
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reader
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01-13-09 11:53 PM
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Someone asks why I care where he lives. People on here are thinking this is a farm where the farmer lives on the property, takes care of his animals, and supervises his animals. That is not the case here. I really don't care what he does with his property. This is a legal business. At this point, though, he does not live there. Hopefully he will sell his house and build next to his chicken barns. What is good for his neighbors, should be good enough for him. He is himself, in a way, a suburban transplant (Dschweck) and should also have no problem in smelling his own sweet "smell of success" (cat1245)
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BBJ123
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01-13-09 8:37 PM
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The new school is not going to be "right " next to the chicken barns, it is at least 3-4 miles away. School is going on 2440 state route 534 and the barns are at least 2-3 miles up Helsey Fusselman.
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47ocs60
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01-13-09 8:34 PM
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There is nothing wrong with Mr. Allen using his property as a chicken farm. What I want to know is WAS THE SCHOOL BOARD AWARE THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A CHICKEN FARM ON THE PROPERTY NEXT TO OUR NEW SCHOOL WHEN THEY VOTED TO PLACE THE SCHOOL THERE? The School Board owes an explanation to the community.
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47ocs60
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01-13-09 8:31 PM
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There is nothing wrong with Mr. Allen using his property as a chicken farm. What I want to know is WAS THE SCHOOL BOARD AWARE THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A CHICKEN FARM ON THE PROPERTY NEXT TO OUR NEW SCHOOL WHEN THEY VOTED TO PLACE THE SCHOOL THERE? The School Board owes an explanation to the community.
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MYVIEW
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01-13-09 8:05 PM
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To a chicken- yours does not smell much better- Eat beef-clog up them arteries- some of you people are just down mean and nasty!
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rxqueen
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01-13-09 6:40 PM
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i would LOVE to eat chicken from a local farmer than go to the store and get a chicken that was given hormones to grow and live its life cycle to quickly. yuck. i support!
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theikkila
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01-13-09 5:54 PM
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The Meat-Hog lives on!
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blablabla
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01-13-09 5:36 PM
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The funniest part is that this farm is right next to where Soutington is building their new school. Should make school even better on a hot summer day. But Mr Allen should have the right to use his property for any legal activity and this one might actually make the township some money. There are plenty of houses in warren that smell worse then the inside of a chicken coop, so city dwellers aren't safe either.
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Sassysue
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01-13-09 4:53 PM
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Reader, why exactly do you care where he lives?
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reader
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01-13-09 3:17 PM
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Then there should be no problem with him selling his house and moving on his farm with his family, like the rest of the farmers in Southington do, to be closer to his agricultural endeavor. That way we would all be assured that the surrounding area will be taken care of. Right?
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skeptic33
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01-13-09 2:46 PM
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Good for you Mr. Allen!!!!! Too bad there aren't more people like you.
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david04
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01-13-09 1:17 PM
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look at old man grump.... he hates everything from the auto workes to the farmers . poor miserable old bastard,must be*****when that welfare check is late
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Sassysue
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01-13-09 1:03 PM
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James Allen...you go!!!! Prosper, take care of your family and enjoy yourself. The booming metropolis of Southington will survive.
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teddybear
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01-13-09 12:55 PM
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I think it is about time someone got a little initiative. Cudo's to him for his efforts. He may even hire someone to help him. Good news for the area.
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skeptic33
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01-13-09 12:36 PM
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What is wrong with a casino? Have you ever been to one?
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Silverthorn
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01-13-09 12:27 PM
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I would much rather live next to the chicken farm than a casino.... Run properly and kept clean the smell won't be any worse than some smokestack factorys.........
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skeptic33
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01-13-09 12:20 PM
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Would the smell be any worse then that coming out Washington D. C. on the Tarp that was passed with no oversite or strings?
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cat1245
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01-13-09 11:32 AM
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I can't believe this! You all complain about no business in the area--this young man is not only starting a new busness but making a living for his family and all you can do is complain about the smell! I totally agree with BBJ123. Way to go James Allen! I wish you nothing but success for your business and family. I applaud your foresight and ambition! There should be more persons such as you in the area who strive to make a honest living and with no jobs in the area--you are doing whats best for you and yours!! As for those who complain about the "smell" That will be the smell of success!!
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