Factory Farms & Their Impact on Animals, Nature & Our Health
Today we're talking about factory farms. What are they, what kind of havoc are they wreaking, and what can we do about it to help the environment, humane treatment of animals, rural communities, small-scale farmers, and our health. My guest today offers a first-hand experience living near and trying to stop factory farms, or officially called concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Sonja Trom Eayrs is the author of Dodge County INC. Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America. She’s a farmer’s daughter, rural advocate, and attorney. Sonja is involved in several rural advocacy organizations, including the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Farm Action, Land Stewardship Project, and Dodge County Concerned Citizens.
RESOURCES
- Order Sonja Trom Eayrs' Book- Dodge County INC. Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America
- Socially Responsible Agriculture Project
- Farm Action
- Land Stewardship Project
- Dodge County Concerned Citizens
- Farm Direct Minnesota
- Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
- Minnesota Farmers Union
- Izaak Walton League of America
- Iowa Environmental Council / Harkin Institute report: New Report Finds Ties Between the Most Common Cancers in Iowa and Environmental Risk Factors
- 2023 petition to EPA regarding nitrate in Minnesota. Minnesota IWLA signed on. 42423-emergency-sdwa-petition-to-epa-with-exhibits.pdf
- Iowa’s Rep. Austin Baeth, MD. He is also a Nitrate Watch participant and advised us on our recent briefing. Austin Baeth (@austinbaeth) • Instagram photos and videos
- Some thoughts on CAFOs from NRDC: CAFOs: What We Don’t Know Is Hurting Us
- SRAP data on Minnesota: Minnesota CAFO Database and Mapping Guide - Socially Responsible Agriculture Project
- Article: Health disparities associated with exposure to animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, USA - PMC
- ETHICALLY RAISED MEAT CERTIFICATIONS. Not all package labels carry legal or strict definitions. Rely on independently audited standards rather than vague terms like "natural" or "farm-raised". Some options:
- Animal Welfare Approved (AWA): Focuses on true pasture-based management, continuous outdoor access, and strict annual on-site audits.
- Certified Humane: Guarantees specific space to roam, anti-abuse handling rules, and no antibiotics or hormones (though pasture-raising isn't universally mandated for every tier).
- Global Animal Partnership (GAP): Uses a tiered step-rating system to grade animal comfort, environment, and welfare guidelines.
- American Grassfed Association (AGA): Ensures 100% grass-fed diets, open family-farm pastures, and no confinement feedlots.
- USDA Organic: Verifies 100% organic feed, outdoor access, and the absence of added antibiotics or synthetic hormones (though it does not strictly guarantee 100% grass diets unless specified).
FOLLOW THE GLOBAL GRIT EXPERIENCE!
Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!
