From Charles R. Wellington
Monroe
To the editor:
Green County sits on the cusp of the vitally important debate about the future of agriculture in our state. The question is, will we sleepwalk down the road of factory farms (CAFO's) or support more sustainable farming? The recent ad in the Monroe Times by Green County Defending Our Farmland (March 6, 2017) provides a detailed response to the earlier claims made by the Pinnacle Dairy proponents and is worth reading if you didn't see it.
Pinnacle Dairy claims that its 5,800 cow dairy on less than 200 acres is the future of farming. I would suggest that the idea is based on a faulty business model, will ultimately contaminate our water somewhere, will drive out many family farms and will pollute the landscape. I am not alone in this viewpoint. The Union of Concerned Scientists has thoroughly studied CAFOs and concluded that producing milk in a confinement facility is not efficient nor is it the outcome of market forces that supply the U.S. with food. It is the result of the market power of large processors and the public policy that they have influenced. These forces cost the American taxpayer billions each year.
In contrast, small to mid-size operations, especially those centered on pasture "have been shown to produce plentiful animal products at a comparable cost and often at a higher profit than CAFOs."
The potential harm from CAFOs cannot be overstated. Furthermore, if not addressed before they begin operation, it will be too late to latch the barn door should environmental damage occur. It is for this reason that I ask the Green County Board to take action to implement common sense regulations as soon as possible.
Green County cannot rely on the EPA or the DNR to do its job. The current administration in Washington is no friend of the EPA and the Walker administration has systematically insured that the DNR has little power to intervene - although you can be sure it will be blamed should a catastrophe occur. The responsibility currently rests on the shoulders of our county and I encourage all concerned citizens to so communicate with your local county supervisor. Common sense must prevail over the monied interests or we will all pay a price.
Monroe
To the editor:
Green County sits on the cusp of the vitally important debate about the future of agriculture in our state. The question is, will we sleepwalk down the road of factory farms (CAFO's) or support more sustainable farming? The recent ad in the Monroe Times by Green County Defending Our Farmland (March 6, 2017) provides a detailed response to the earlier claims made by the Pinnacle Dairy proponents and is worth reading if you didn't see it.
Pinnacle Dairy claims that its 5,800 cow dairy on less than 200 acres is the future of farming. I would suggest that the idea is based on a faulty business model, will ultimately contaminate our water somewhere, will drive out many family farms and will pollute the landscape. I am not alone in this viewpoint. The Union of Concerned Scientists has thoroughly studied CAFOs and concluded that producing milk in a confinement facility is not efficient nor is it the outcome of market forces that supply the U.S. with food. It is the result of the market power of large processors and the public policy that they have influenced. These forces cost the American taxpayer billions each year.
In contrast, small to mid-size operations, especially those centered on pasture "have been shown to produce plentiful animal products at a comparable cost and often at a higher profit than CAFOs."
The potential harm from CAFOs cannot be overstated. Furthermore, if not addressed before they begin operation, it will be too late to latch the barn door should environmental damage occur. It is for this reason that I ask the Green County Board to take action to implement common sense regulations as soon as possible.
Green County cannot rely on the EPA or the DNR to do its job. The current administration in Washington is no friend of the EPA and the Walker administration has systematically insured that the DNR has little power to intervene - although you can be sure it will be blamed should a catastrophe occur. The responsibility currently rests on the shoulders of our county and I encourage all concerned citizens to so communicate with your local county supervisor. Common sense must prevail over the monied interests or we will all pay a price.
