By Poultry Producer Staff
October 13, 2025

Controversial Poultry Operation Halted in Coffee County, Georgia

A proposed poultry operation in Coffee County, Georgia, which was set to become one of the state’s largest, is currently on hold. This comes after a Superior Court judge issued an injunction, citing potential harm to local residents and the nearby Satilla River.

Project Details

The plan involved the construction of five farms comprising 60 poultry houses, each capable of housing over 25,000 birds. According to court documents, the facilities were projected to produce up to 40,000 pounds of poultry litter every eight weeks and would manage approximately 450,000 carcasses annually.

Judicial Concerns

In his ruling, Judge J. Kelly Brooks expressed concerns that the project could adversely affect air quality, property values, and local water systems. Notably, he remarked that the defendants failed to provide necessary details concerning carcass removal, odor management strategies, or community consultation prior to the court proceedings.

“The evidence clearly showed that Defendants pursued this project quietly and avoided community engagement until forced to respond through these proceedings,” Brooks stated.

Community Response

Local landowners voiced apprehensions regarding odors, dust, and potential contamination of the Satilla River, which could eventually impact downstream waters leading to the Atlantic Ocean. The sentiment among community members indicated a strong need for transparency in local agricultural developments.

George Lott, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, attributed the injunction to grassroots efforts by local residents advocating for more transparency in the project’s planning. Meanwhile, Kasey Sturm, representing the defendants, argued that the farms met all state and county regulations and conformed to Georgia’s agricultural zoning practices.

“These family farmers obtained the requisite authority both from the state and the county,” Sturm asserted, noting the presence of similar poultry operations across Coffee County.

Next Steps

The permits for this project were filed by Patrick Robinson, owner of Southern Ag Builders, Inc., based in North Carolina. The court’s injunction halts all construction until a full trial can take place, a process that could extend over several months or even years.

Future Implications

Defendants warn that this ruling could deter future investment in poultry farming within Georgia, contrasting with the plaintiffs’ perspective that the ruling serves as a temporary safeguard for local residents and the surrounding waterways.

Source: Georgia Recorder (Ross Williams)
Republished under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)