A battle brews in rural Wisconsin over factory farms


A battle brews in rural Wisconsin over factory farms


A community divided. A local official accused of self-dealing. A top political appointee ousted from his job. In Wisconsin, a state where the footprint of agribusiness is growing, the question of how to regulate factory farms is a pressing topic from the town hall to the statehouse. 

The issue made national news earlier this month, when the Republican-controlled state senate voted not to confirm the governor’s appointee to lead the state’s agriculture department, effectively firing him. The official, Brad Pfaff, had polarized the state’s agriculture groups by supporting stronger regulation of large-scale livestock farms.

Yet for some time before that, the debate over how to regulate huge animal farms was underway in towns and counties across the state. As the conversation continues, Wisconsin’s residents are facing a defining battle over the rights of rural residents to shape the future of their communities.

Two counties in the Northeastern corner of Wisconsin recently issued temporary moratoriums on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in response to concerns from residents, and plan to use the pause to better evaluate the implications of inviting massive livestock farms to town....

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Ken Notes: While I applaud the efforts. Temporary often means until the Sate intervenes or new officials are elected locally. Rather than trying to delay or ban CAFOs why not require ground water and well testing and regulation that would lead to better treatment options at the source. It is nice to also see an article that really identifies why Brad was fired...

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- - Volume: 7 - WEEK: 48 Date: 11/25/2019 7:07:19 AM -