Iron Gate Resident Expresses Concern Over Proposed Cattle Facility
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer | Iron Gate, VA (June 16, 2025)— In recent weeks, the typically peaceful Iron Gate community has been stirred by growing concerns over a proposed indoor cattle facility located on Tannery Road in the old Canfield building. Should the proposed deal move forward, the facility would invite 400 beef cows to the town of Iron Gate.
Mayor Kawahna Persinger elaborated further, explaining to attendees how the plan was explained to her by the Garten's. "Their plan was to bring in... 200 heifers and 200 calves, put them under so they would be out of the direct sun. There would be enough ventilation with the windows cross-referencing that they should stay cool enough during the summer and then during the winter, they would be in there, their body heat should potentially keep them warm enough," Persinger said, "and I guess that's just going to be a holding tank for them to get them fat and they'll take them up and send them to slaughter."
Currently, there is presentation scheduled on Thursday, June 26, at the next Iron Gate Town Council meeting for the Garten's to explain their plans to residents for the indoor cattle farm.
However, not all residents are sold on the idea. Chuck and Karen Unroe, who live about 200 feet away from the building, were both in attendance. Chuck Unroe, despite being the town manager for Clifton Forge, announced at the beginning of the session that he was merely present as a tax-paying citizen of Iron Gate and nothing more.
Unroe stated, "Why are you even letting it get this far? Why are you entertaining their conversation? You very clearly have an ordinance on your books that says 'No farm animals.' You can't even have a bunny rabbit in the town of Iron Gate. You can't have honey bees in the town of Iron Gate. We amended that ordinance eight years ago, nine years ago... to allow hens only... I'm here in direct opposition to even discussing this because once it's discussed, then you're opening the door." Unroe also asked an arguably blatant question. "Has this deal already been brokered behind your backs?"
"Not that this council is aware of," Mayor Persinger answered. "The only thing that I am aware of is, approximately seven weeks ago, they called and said that they would like for me to meet them over at the Canfield building; they wanted to walk me through the building, let me know what their plans were, and that's what happened."
While Unroe argued that it might have been best to shut down the potential cattle farm from the beginning —given the preexisting ordinance disallowing farm animals— Vice-Mayor Brandon Marshall stated he was unaware that it could be shut down without first hearing it out.
Council also expressed concern over activities held at the park and the possibility that residents wouldn't come out, as the event would be directly impacted by the cattle farm.
The Journal will continue to follow this story as it develops. In the meantime, videos of tonight's work session will soon be available on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. | |
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