The personal side of the proposed large-scale dairy
By Debbie Lowe

Throughout the controversy around the possibility of a 3,500- head dairy located in Democrat Township, one aspect of the project was missing. There was a hue and cry from concerned residents for factual information about the project provided by those who are in charge of it and not community members who would benefit financially from it.

Representatives from the developer and the project consultant visited a commissioners' meeting this fall to discuss the details.

The final piece of the puzzle was presented at the Oct. 16 commissioners' night meeting. The Arendsens, the family who would live in Democrat Township and operate the dairy, made a surprise visit to the meeting. Some of the family visited the county fair last summer and met with people who could become neighbors, but they had not presented themselves in such a formal setting before now.

Many similarities exist between the Arendsens and most families in the Midwest. A difference between the two is that those born in the United States do not have many limitations when they have a desire to build a business, but those in Europe do.

Holland born Gerrit Arendsen, the father, has been harboring a dream to be able to produce vast quantities of milk on a large dairy farm. He worked on the family farm in Holland, which was handed down from generation-togeneration, and then moved his family to Germany 11 years ago to further the dream.

But in Europe, i n c l u d i n g Germany, there is a quota system on the amount of milk that can be produced on each farm. Arendsen wanted to do more. He wanted a bigger farm and more cows.

Arendsen connected with Vr e b a - H o f f Daires to learn of opportunities in the United States to expand. After reviewing several sites in three states, he decided Carroll County was the place he wanted to bring his family to live and prosper.

"It's amazing what the possibilities are here to produce milk on a high level," Arendsen said in an Oct. 17 Comet interview.

Opposition concerns me not," Arendsen said. "We chose Carroll County because it is near bigger cities, it is a nice county and Flora has a big supermarket."

The family is like any American family who experiences similar activities and anxieties.

Wife Janet, also born in Holland, works on the family farm and is a homemaker.

Sixteen year-old Steven said he is a little bit nervous to move to the United States due to the language barrier.

Arendsen's three other children, 25 year-old Irene, Rudi 17 and Edwin 27, would remain in Holland in their school or job if and when the others come to America.

"All of our family lives in Holland," Arendsen said. "We moved to Germany just 11 years ago for a bigger farm. But every month we visit family in Holland and we still have the family farm there."

The family shares traditions with many Americans, like enjoying family dinners and taking long walks together every Sunday. Steven plays soccer, computer games, darts and has a recreational room at home where many local youth gather. He is looking forward to driving a car.

Janet gardens and makes soups. She is looking forward to interacting with her new neighbors if the family moves into Carroll County.

"The people here are open," she said. "But in Germany, they are closed."

Gerrit played a trumpet in a band in his younger years and even made a compact disc. He said he enjoys the European version of country music.

Arendsen said he looks forward to "the big day" when the family

moves to America. He wants to have a modern dairy. He said he is certain "the plans will work out. Every time I come here, people show me trust."
It was announced at the Oct. 16
Carroll   County   Commissioners'
meeting a public information meeting
    was tentatively scheduled for
Nov. 29. According to dairy project
consultant Brian Daggy, this is a
meeting for residents to discuss
with the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management about
concerns. He said the permit staff
and engineers, along with geologists
      who received the permit application,
        would be present.
  "If someone thinks there is a situation
        in the area that IDEM needs
to know about, this is the meeting to
say it," Daggy said.
  The public information meeting
with IDEM was announced at the
commissioners' meeting as tentative.
  Amy Hartzok, IDEM media representative
            said IDEM holds meetings
to gain input in response to residents
      ' concerns. She said a notice
would be sent to interested parties
when the date was set.