Those of you who know me are likely aware of my involvement with Green County Defending Our Farmland. We are a coalition of farmers (Wisconsin Farmers Union), environmentalists (Green Rock Audobon) and concerned citizens (Move To Amend), among others, who have banded together to slow down the flood of CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) into Green County and elsewhere in Wisconsin. We formed a few months ago in response to a Nebraska developer asking to site a 5, 600 cow dairy in Brodhead - an operation that would be 20 times bigger than the average dairy farm in Green County. The operation plans to spray liquid manure on 7,000 surrounding acres of farmland, drastically changing the atmosphere and way of life for those in the neighborhood.
We've since learned there is another permit coming through the pipeline in that county, but obviously this is a growing trend throughout Wisconsin, as water-hogging industrial ag developers such as these come from California and other states out west where the water has been used, the land depleted, and the laws finally making it very restrictive to farm in such an unsustainable way. We have no such restrictions here in Wisconsin, where our "business friendly" state administration has instructed the DNR to streamline the permitting process for CAFOs and frac sand mines and other large business interests. This represents a significant risk for family farmers, who need safe land and clean water; for tourists, who appreciate Wisconsin for our picturesque small dairies and unspoiled landscapes; and for small towns, who rely on both farmers and tourists to make their communities thrive.
So, our group is busy attending township board meetings, writing op-eds and educating the public to do the same. Tomorrow, we are throwing a big party, in Monroe's historic Turner Hall, with a free concert by the Jimmys, a popular Green County band with farming roots in New Glarus. 6:15 pm. There will be speakers and time for questions, as well as beer and cheese. You are invited! Please come and bring others who might be interested in joining this fight. See the invitation attached below.
Then on Saturday, you are invited to protest the ease with which we've been allowing these factory farms to affect our environment here in Wisconsin. Some communities have already seen 30 percent of their private wells made un-drinkable by bacterial run-off. Our Green County group is joining in with similar groups fighting similar industrial ag development all over Wisconsin for a Stink-In on the Capitol Steps from 1 to 2:30pm. Immediately afterward, Family Farm Defenders will host a "Sustainable Agriculture Meet and Greet" from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at the Madison College downtown campus (Rm. 240) - 211 N. Carroll St. (about a block away from the rally site across from the Concourse Hotel)
Hope to see you somewhere this week! If you can't make it - you can still get involved. Go to Green County Defending Our Farmland's website to sign a petition in favor of stricter water ordinances and donate to the cause for more parties and information sessions in the community. Talk to your neighbors, show up at your county and town and township board meetings, call your state and national representatives. Join the Wisconsin Farmers Union and help speak up for family scaled farms.
We've since learned there is another permit coming through the pipeline in that county, but obviously this is a growing trend throughout Wisconsin, as water-hogging industrial ag developers such as these come from California and other states out west where the water has been used, the land depleted, and the laws finally making it very restrictive to farm in such an unsustainable way. We have no such restrictions here in Wisconsin, where our "business friendly" state administration has instructed the DNR to streamline the permitting process for CAFOs and frac sand mines and other large business interests. This represents a significant risk for family farmers, who need safe land and clean water; for tourists, who appreciate Wisconsin for our picturesque small dairies and unspoiled landscapes; and for small towns, who rely on both farmers and tourists to make their communities thrive.
So, our group is busy attending township board meetings, writing op-eds and educating the public to do the same. Tomorrow, we are throwing a big party, in Monroe's historic Turner Hall, with a free concert by the Jimmys, a popular Green County band with farming roots in New Glarus. 6:15 pm. There will be speakers and time for questions, as well as beer and cheese. You are invited! Please come and bring others who might be interested in joining this fight. See the invitation attached below.
Then on Saturday, you are invited to protest the ease with which we've been allowing these factory farms to affect our environment here in Wisconsin. Some communities have already seen 30 percent of their private wells made un-drinkable by bacterial run-off. Our Green County group is joining in with similar groups fighting similar industrial ag development all over Wisconsin for a Stink-In on the Capitol Steps from 1 to 2:30pm. Immediately afterward, Family Farm Defenders will host a "Sustainable Agriculture Meet and Greet" from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at the Madison College downtown campus (Rm. 240) - 211 N. Carroll St. (about a block away from the rally site across from the Concourse Hotel)
Hope to see you somewhere this week! If you can't make it - you can still get involved. Go to Green County Defending Our Farmland's website to sign a petition in favor of stricter water ordinances and donate to the cause for more parties and information sessions in the community. Talk to your neighbors, show up at your county and town and township board meetings, call your state and national representatives. Join the Wisconsin Farmers Union and help speak up for family scaled farms.
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