09/27/2026
For 151 years, the Stoops family has cared for the land we own in DeKalb County, in Jackson Township south of Auburn. The farm has seen many changes, the biggest of which are the housing additions that now surround us. I’m going to be honest here: we were not thrilled to have all these new neighbors. Through the years, we’ve come to know many of you. Maybe your kids were in 4-H, or maybe you’ve came to the farm for strawberries a few years back, or even flowers just this summer. Maybe we’ve met you at the fair auction or at the Auburn Farmers Market.
The neighborhood’s support of our farm has let us keep doing what we love, and let us keep the family legacy moving to the next generation. We appreciate you and are happy to keep sharing the bounty of our farm with your families.
That’s why we’re asking for your help.
You’ve most likely seen information on the Lulu-Sorenson AEP Transmission Improvements Project. This massive project involves building 75 miles of 756-kV transmission power lines. It changes the landscape and decreases property values for farms and homes in Huntington, Allen, DeKalb, Steuben, and Whitley counties. These towers are 175 feet tall and have a proposed right of way of 200 feet. Historic farms will be forever altered. Trees will be torn down. Our beautiful agricultural and wooded lands will be destroyed.
One proposed route goes through the south side of Stoops Farm. Farmland that has been used to feed people for 150 years would be destroyed. Hundred-year-old trees would be torn down. And, because our backyard is so close to yours, your property would be forever changed too.
Go to https://aeptransmission.com/indiana/lulu-sorenson/ and read about the project. Ask yourself what kinds of facilities require this much power. Understand the scope and use the map to see the number of homes and farms that will be affected. Leave comments on the website. Attend the meetings. Sign the petitions. Contact your elected representatives.
https://go.ipetitions.com/0BrjDA
https://c.org/y6xtx7B8dZ
The Stoops Family
John & Sue Stoops
Lynda, David, and Alex Wolfe
CJ, Dan, Lily, and Clay Tucker
Written by a real person, not AI
