Stearns County officials are looking to change how farmers handle dead animals. County officials say composting dead animals using a composting machine is becoming a more popular method, although this method is illegal. Until the ordinance is in place, farmers must wait before installing such machines. Feedlot owners wishing to install a composter or any permanent manure stockpile that deals with a composter must get permitted from the county before having it installed. The ordinance change being made is said to allow composting in specific agricultural zoning districts. The County Board is holding a meeting on the proposal of the ordinance change on Tuesday at 10:00am. Questions about the ordinance change or permitting can be answered by the Environmental Service Department at 320-656-3613.