MT HOLLY SPRINGS, Pa. — Springtime in rural Cumberland County has a familiar smell that comes from nearby farms. However, several people are reporting to their local municipalities that the odor coming from those farms has gotten worse over the past few years.
“If they were outside having a picnic or gathering, they noticed the strong smell and wouldn’t be able to tolerate it," said Rob Cole, the Dickinson Township Supervisor. "They couldn’t be outside.”
Cole said the stronger smell is coming from "food processing residuals," which is a waste by-product of food production. The waste is being used as farm fertilizer.
Neighboring states like Maryland, New York, and Virginia have banned most use of FPRs in farming. Cole believes this has led to an uptick in the waste products being used in Pennsylvania over the past few years.
He said people have reported several health concerns because of FPRs.
“People started to complain about their children having breathing problems, and adults having breathing problems," said Cole. “We had a resident come in a few weeks ago, and he was in tears saying he was going to have to move if nothing is done about it.”
On Monday, the Dickinson Board of Supervisors voted to join South Middletown Township's municipal coalition about the use of FPRs. Cole said the purpose of the coalition is to unite all local governments to call for regulation from state lawmakers.
“It’s important that Dickinson Township and our neighboring communities have a voice at the table in how that legislation is crafted," said Cole. “We don’t want to do anything that’s going to make it more expensive for [farmers] to farm their land.”
Penn Township held a vote on whether to join the coalition on Thursday, March 21. The supervisors voted 3-0 to join.