Draft permits have been submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, signaling a proposed expansion at a Mercer County poultry farm. The applications concern an increase in egg-laying capacity at Langenkamp Poultry, an existing facility located at 2859 Koenig Road in St. Henry. Kevin Langenkamp is identified as the owner and operator of the farm, which currently houses a substantial number of hens.
The proposal aims to significantly boost the farm's ability to produce eggs. Langenkamp Poultry currently operates with two barns that together are capable of housing 505,800 laying hens. The permits, if approved, would allow the facility to increase its total capacity to 606,833 layers. This represents an addition of 101,033 hens to the farm's operations in St. Henry.
The submission of these draft permits initiates a formal process through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the state agency responsible for overseeing agricultural operations, including poultry farms. These documents are crucial steps for any farm looking to expand its animal housing and production capabilities.
Two types of permits are outlined in the proposal. The first is a permit to install, which specifically addresses the construction or modification of facilities necessary for the increased capacity. This installation permit, once approved, would be valid for a period of two years. This timeframe provides the farm with the necessary window to implement the proposed changes to its infrastructure.
Following the successful installation of new or expanded facilities, a separate permit to operate would be required for the ongoing functioning of the larger farm. This permit to operate, also part of the current submission, would be valid for five years. This longer duration indicates the permit's role in authorizing the sustained operation of the expanded egg-laying hen population at the St. Henry location.
The existing Langenkamp Poultry farm is already a considerable operation within Mercer County, with its two barns currently accommodating over half a million laying hens. The proposed expansion would further solidify its presence as a major producer of eggs in the region. The details of these draft permits are now under review by the Ohio Department of Agriculture as part of the state's regulatory process for agricultural facilities.
