On Tuesday, April 21, freshman Taylor Pulliam noticed a strong odor when she arrived at school that morning.
“I thought it was disgusting and wanted to throw up,” Pulliam said
The odor stemmed from farm activity on New Burg Street.
According to teacher Amy Welsh, whose home is located on New Burg Street near the school, the smell is connected to the start of manure and fertilizer season in the area. The farmer who rents land from Welsh spread manure and fertilizer during the spring to prepare fields for planting, creating odors that can travel into nearby neighborhoods.
While the odor may be unpleasant for some residents, it is a normal part of the farming season in rural communities. Spring is one of the busiest times of year for farmers as they prepare their land for crops.
Students and residents near the school said the smell was noticeable throughout the day, especially outdoors. Some said it was distracting, while others viewed it as a reminder of the area’s agricultural roots.
This is what un-disked manure looks like, which frequently causes the strong smells.
“Manure doesn’t smell good, but it’s a part of farming,” said junior Liam Fitzenreiter.
No town officials have reported any safety concerns.
Welsh said residents may continue to notice the smell for the next few days as agricultural work continues.
As planting season continues, residents may experience similar smells periodically depending on weather conditions and nearby field activity.
“I think this is only the start, and it will get worse before going away,” junior Sebastian Lipe said.
