This is what’s happening:
I encourage each of you to take a scenic drive (or bike ride) down 328 this weekend and see for yourself if this riverbank property looks like the ideal spot for an asphalt plant (+ a future full scale industrial park, if this enormous rezoning effort from “agricultural” to “heavy industrial” is approved).
What you will see on this stretch of land between Taylor and Hwy 7 is relatively tranquil. You’ll pass cows, chickens, some beautiful homes up on the north hillside, children playing in their yard, neighbors on their front porches, and a lovely tree lined drive leading into Falkner Farms.
There’s a reason this land was zoned “agricultural”. This is farmland, family land, and community land — not industrial land. Don’t get me wrong, no one is against a new asphalt plant — but it needs to be built where it belongs and it sure doesn’t belong next to fragile floodplain land along the Yocona River.
The current Industrial Park is only half full and was paid for with our tax dollars. That’s the logical place for industry. If there needs to be improvements to the current park for a new asphalt plant, there is federal money for that.
Here’s the reality: accidents happen, flooding happens & WHEN they do (if this plant goes on this site) Falkner Farms will be destroyed and the Yocona River will be dangerously poisoned with chemicals, putting our county residents at risk, Enid Lake fishing at risk, and even the Mississippi River.
Our five elected Lafayette County Supervisors will vote on October 20 weeks on what’s best for Lafayette County. What’s best for Lafayette County? Protecting our land & our people that are 99% opposed to this rezoning, or the alternative?
Let’s stand together to protect our land, our water, our community, and our families. Speak up. Show up. This matters to all of us. Join us on October 20th at 9am in the Lafayette County Courthouse on North Lamar across from Heartbreak Coffee. If you don’t, the character of our county will forever change.
– by Leighton Wilkie McCool
Hey y’all, what’s up?
A typical greeting from someone who grew up in Oxford, Mississippi.
I’m Reed Falkner. I was raised here in Oxford and I operate Falkner Farms.
Growing up, I was raised on a farm filled with livestock. The responsibilities and hard work required to care for these animals instilled a backbone of accountability in me. The same backbone that all farmers rely on. No matter the circumstance, we feel obligated to provide for our livestock and our community.
I have talked with numerous members of community during my time in this role. From Rotary Clubs to Kindergarten classes to College Professors and more. I have spent time in the pastures and the classrooms. Field days and farmers markets. All to educate and inform people of the practices and products our farm provides.
Falkner Farms is a regenerative farm, focused on the well-being of our livestock and our soil. We raise the healthiest products we can, for the people in our community to enjoy. Our farm consists of over 1,000 laying hens and over 50 head of cattle. We provide grass fed and grass finished beef and pasture raised eggs to several restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, and individuals in Lafayette County. We are stewards of both the land and the livestock. For the past 12 years we have worked tirelessly to improve our soil without the use of chemicals.
The idea of having 40.1 acres of Heavy Industry on the other side of the road from us is disheartening. Every practice we have implemented to promote animal and soil health would be in jeopardy.
Heavy Industry brings pollution. Heavy industry brings noise. Heavy industry brings problems to Falkner Farms and detrimental impacts that we won’t be able to withstand. Ask yourself this, how many regenerative farms operate a couple hundred yards away from an asphalt plant? I’ll wait. . . .
We have talked to multiple experts in our field, and each has expressed concern for animal health and overall quality of our beef and eggs. Whether it’s air quality, animal stress due to noise, or physical particles that blow over onto our blades of grass, all have negative impacts on “our side of the fence.” Not to mention the river. The Yocona River has risen above her banks twice in the past six years. Both times bringing with it deadly and devastating waters that not only affect our fields, but hundreds of acres to the south and west of us, before emptying into Enid Lake. I can’t wrap my mind around having 40.1 acres of Heavy Industry, including an asphalt plant, on the banks of the Yocona River. The risks associated with this proposed idea are far too many to mitigate.
Times have really changed around here since I was a kid, I know that. Y’all know that, too. But has time changed so much that this town will sacrifice a local farm for asphalt? Agricultural land for Heavy Industrial? Again, farmers are the backbone of Mississippi, and we pray y’all can help us keep it that way.
Make your voice heard and contact your supervisor or all supervisors for that matter. Expressing your concerns about rezoning 40.1 acres of farmland, in a 100-year flood plain, to I-2 Heavy Industrial.
If you’ve gotten know me, my family, enjoyed some of our beef or eggs, or just support local farmers, please show up Monday, October 20, at 9 am at the Lafayette County Chancery Court Building and oppose this rezoning.
We have been overwhelmed with the support this community has shown our family and our farm, and we cannot thank you enough. Please continue to stand up for the “little man” and fight for the farmers.
With love, Reed Falkner
Letter from Dr. Ken Macklin, Department Head and Professor at Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University
A letter from Dr. Ken Macklin, Department Head and Professor at Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, addressing concerns about the proposed asphalt plant near our pasture-raised poultry operation.
It highlights that noise could reduce egg production by 10-15%, and dust from the plant may harm poultry health and pasture quality.
While recognizing community needs, the letter urges relocating the plant farther from livestock to protect local farms, food safety, and rural livelihoods.
– Elizabeth Falkner
Illustrations by Meg Wolfe, from the October 2, 2025 town hall meeting in Paris, Mississippi by Lafayette County District 5 Supervisor Greg Bynum
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