Factory Farm Hearing Draws Huge Crowd, Lots of Media Attention

by Taylor Leake · 2011-07-20 09:07:00 UTC
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In a stuffy room in Wisconsin, upwards of 500 people gathered for a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hearing on a proposed factory dairy farm that would bring 5,000 cows to Richfield, WI. Many in attendance wore red "No CAFO" tee-shirts and shared their concerns over waste disposal — especially manure runoff, water usage, and the farm's impact on the local community including its pristine lakes and streams.

The five-hour hearing was held at the behest of local activists and concerned citizens who live near the proposed site. It was meant to help the DNR determine if it will grant a permit allowing Milk Source, the company that will run the proposed farm, to discharge pollutants into state waterways. It seems odd, then, that instead of the DNR presenting the facts and information about the proposed farm to start the meeting, officials granted that role to the CEO of Milk Source. The DNR also seemed to defer to Milk Source, allowing executives to answer questions the DNR should have had answers to (for instance, whether or not Milk Source has had any environmental violations in the past).

The meeting wasn't all pandering, though. Many people got to tell the DNR why they are opposed to the farm and explain their very real worries. Of particular concern is what the farm will do with its waste manure. The farm's current plan is to hold manure in massive pits (small ponds, really), and then have trucks haul it away to spread on fields. "A lot of them will be running right down in front of my house to spread manure on the fields on 3rd and 4th avenue over there," Paul Powolish, the closest neighbor to the proposed farm, said. "I can't live under conditions like that."

The movement to stop this farm has garnered a lot of attention, and supporters from many organizations were out in full force at the hearing, including Alistair Stewart from Trout Unlimited, Elaine Swanson from People Empowered Protect the Land (PEPL) of Rosendale, Edie Ehlert  from the Crawford Stewardship Project, and John Peck from Family Farm Defenders.

The hearing also generated a ton of press coverage (see here, here, here, here, here, and here), and that is keeping local activists hopeful that they can stop the Richfield CAFO, even if the DNR decides to issue a permit. You can still help these activists out with their battle. There are seven days of open comments before the DNR decides whether or not to issue a permit. Sign  activists' petition asking the DNR to block the Richfield CAFO.

Photo Credit: FriendsofFamilyFarmers via Flickr

Taylor Leake is a foodie and activist. He's previously worked for Food and Water Watch and Wake Up Walmart.

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