Experienced Ag Counsel, Community Support Key to Zoning Success for Hulsbosch Dairy

When Dominique Hulsbosch and Mary Cuypers moved from Belgium to the United States in 2005, they were pursuing better opportunities for their whole family. As their Decatur County, Indiana, dairy operation evolved over the years, continued growth was needed for both the family and employees to prosper.

“We were looking for efficiencies as costs on the dairy keep rising every year,” said son Wim Hulsbosch. “We can combat these increases with growth, having a more efficient dairy where we can produce milk more efficiently and reduce costs.”  The family selected a site for a new dairy in nearby Rush County. They knew it would be important to have a legal team engaged from the start to help navigate the zoning process of obtaining a special exception for the dairy.

They turned to Todd Janzen and Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Ag Law to help guide them through the legal process, ultimately succeeding with a zoning permit. The Hulsbosches share their story to highlight the importance of having the right legal team, being transparent with neighbors and local leaders, and engaging community support to successfully navigate the zoning process.

“We got Todd and Brianna involved early on, recognizing that you must build a good team of people around you,” Wim said. “Todd and Brianna are extremely good at speaking the language of local zoning law – as well as the ag side of things, which was important to securing our successful zoning permit.”

With some initial public opposition to the new dairy, it became clear there was a disconnect between rural residents and the livestock industry. “We were surprised by the reaction and realized you can never assume what people know or understand about modern dairies, even in rural areas,” Wim said.

He shares their approach to this pushback was to be open and honest. “You need to explain what you are doing and share the positive aspects,” Wim said. Part of this transparency came from preparation. “You need to come to a zoning hearing with information to address every possible concern,” said Brianna Schroeder. “From environmental to economics to animal comfort topics, we wanted to be ready in that moment to respond with evidence to help make it an easy decision for the board of zoning appeals.”

She points out that having community members engaged at zoning meetings was another crucial factor in the successful decision. “There was a groundswell of stakeholder support for this new dairy, from local leaders and ag industry members to people from local foodbanks as well as 4-H and FFA educators turning out to support this project.”

It was also significant that employees of the current dairy testified about how this new dairy would provide professional development opportunities, enabling a career in Rush County. “Livestock development is economic development for rural communities and provides real opportunity,” Brianna said.

With the zoning victory in hand, construction was full speed ahead and is helping the family achieving their aspirations. “We are implementing some technology that is new to us and are excited about what this new facility means for cow comfort and making the milking process more efficient,” Wim said. “We will be able to milk 6,500 cows with 45 employees.”

For fellow farmers considering expansion, Wim summarizes the lessons learned. “In any permitting or zoning situation, people get nervous about change. The more clear communication you can provide, the more peoples’ emotions will settle, and if you are prepared like we were with Todd and Brianna, you can be in a good place to succeed.”