More than 200 people attended this week’s open house for a new 2,400 head hog facility in Hutchinson County. Bryan and Melissa Kludt own the slated floor pit finishing barn located just south of Menno. Bryan says while the permitting process was a challenge, the completion of the unit fulfills a long term goal for him.

Bryan says it has been a long time since a new swine unit was built in Hutchinson County. However, the economic activity related to the construction and day to day operations is substantial.

Melissa says as a young farm family they are excited for the opportunity to get into farming.

The Kludts say they held the open house to help build community support for the project. It was sponsored by Ag United of South Dakota.