Manure & Polluted Run-off

This image of a confined factory farm pig courtesy  of the Humane Farming Association.

Go to Current News About Factory Farming and Manure Disposal

• Assembly Passes Livestock Factory Siting Bill - Meanwhile the DNR is investigating manure spills at 2 livestock factories.  [13kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.]  And read how one family can't drink their own well water because of a manure spill.
• County Board Hears Opposition To Livestock Siting Bill - Loss of local control feared.
• Manure Worries May Hurt State Dairy Plan - Loans to help farmers buy more cows run up against manure handling concerns.
• The Meatrix - Great animation movie on factory farming uses The Matrix movies for its storyline. 
• Bush Proposal Gives Factory Farms License To Pollute - Deal made behind closed-doors without public input. 
• Read Testimony From Northern Thunder At The Jackson County Factory Farm Permit Hearing.  And see photos from the existing operation.
• Citizens Demand DNR Hearing On Factory Farm Permit - Proposed 3000 head Jackson County dairy will cause more nitrate and manure pollution problems. [69kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.]
• Local Conservation Groups Claim Credit For Rush River Protection Victory - State fines factory farm $43,000 for manure spill into local waters.  And read the news release from the state Attorney General on the settlement. [18 and 38kb pdf files.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of these articles if you contact us.] 
• EPA Considers Easing Air Pollution Reg's For Factory Farms - Move, contemplated without public hearings, would let industry regulate itself for noxious gases and smells.  [If you have trouble reading this pdf file, try downloading the latest free Acrobat Reader for viewing pdf files.  Click here for the download.  We can also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.]
• Judge Upholds Denial Of Feedlot Permits - Rejection of 5000 head beef operation is upheld in Manitowoc County.
• State Takes Baldwin Dairy To Court For Manure Run-off Problems  - Alleged violations "pose a serious threat to Wisconsin wetlands and natural environment," according to Attorney General Lautenschlager.
• 5000 Head Beef Feedlot Proposal Denied In Manitowoc County - Opponents prevail at local hearing, according to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter.
• Group's Praise State Lawsuit To Protect Rush River  - Conservation and environmental groups withdraw their own lawsuit over manure spills into key trout fishery.  [If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here for a free download to read this document.]
• State Files Lawsuit Over Factory Farm Pollution - Action follows suit filed by environmental and conservation groups who were angered by numerous farm manure spills.
• Groups Announce Intent To Sue Factory Farm In St. Croix County - Dairy operation's numerous manure spills have fouled the Rush River. And, read the actual complaint.
• Manure Spill Settlement Buys Protections For Big Eau Pleine River - Buffer strips bought with lawsuit money in unique settlement.
• Groups Issue Report On Industrial Livestock Production Abuses - Meat factory violations part of factory farm system.
• New Guide For Neighbors Concerned About Factory Farms - Understanding factory farm issues and how to gather information and organize in your community are hot topics.
• Groups Object To Turkey Manure Handling Permit - DNR mass permit covers 55 operations in western Wisconsin owned by Jennie-O.
• Marathon County Manure Spill Sparks Lawsuit  - Factory farm spread 250,000 gallons of cow manure onto frozen ground that spilled onto neighbor's land and into Big Eau Pleine River tributaries. Click here to see images of the manure spill.
• CREP Improves Water Quality - Wisconsin counties can access federal program to reduce nutrient run-off.  Has your county signed on?
• 6000 Letters Supporting Family Farm Protection Act Delivered To Legislators - Wheelbarrow full of handwritten letters brought to State Senate. [If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here for a free download to read this document.]
• Family Farm Protection Act Introduced - Legislation would help farmers and rural communities.
• State Ag Board Approves Landmark Conservation Rules - Rules will strengthen farm conservation practices.
• Family Farm Flapjack Feed - Alma event with Congressman Ron Kind serves as  fundraiser and a forum for focus on family farm future.
• Board Passes Tougher Water Protections - Rules aim to limit pollution from run-off, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story.  Andsee the editorial  in the Wisconsin State Journal about the rules package.
• WI Factory Farms Cause More Pollution - DNR records show multiple spills and violations.
• Cost Sharing For Farm Conservation Practices - Proposed rule would enable conservation practices without breaking farmer's pocketbook. [this may take 20 seconds to load]
• Buffer Strips Cut From Runoff Rules - Green Bay Press Gazette reports on removal of key pollution provision.
• Vegetative Buffers Protect Wisconsin Waters - Public support for buffer rules needed.
• Phosphorus Based Nutrient Management Essential - Proposed rules would help clean Wisconsin waters(If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here for a free download to read this document)
• New Public Education Program On Factory Farms - Learn how you can protect your community.
• State Runoff Rules Need Public Comment - Submit your thoughts by September 14 on historic rules.
• Waste Lagoons Threaten Health & Environment - Report prompts call for ban on new waste lagoons.
• Conservation Groups Tour Clean Farm - Visit highlights need to protect and restore farm conseration practices.(If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here for a free download.)
• Parade of Family Farms Planned - Pierce County event aims to raise awareness of farm issues and encourage action by consumers.
• EPA Proposes New Factory Farm Reg's - Move aims to protect public health and environment by curtailing water pollution from animal waste.
• Small Farmer Speaks Out Against Expansion - Testimony at DNR hearing covers groundwater contamination and manure handling.
• Factory Farm Spills Manure, Leachate - Accident occurs before DNR hearing on expansion of operation.
• Take Action On Factory Farms - Email campaign to Dep't. of Commerce underway.
• Four More Family Farm Forums Scheduled - Goal is to unite family farmers and activists in campaign to save family farms.
• Saving Family Farms - Campaign rises to save family farms as factory farms spread in Wisconsin. And a summary of the Family Farm Protection Act.
• Legal Action Closes Leaky Factory Farm Manure Pit - Victory for clean water.
• EPA Petition Prods DNR Action On Factory Farm Permits - Water quality threatened by state permitting procedures.
• Facts And Data On Factory Farms - A great source of handy info on animal waste, environment, anti-biotic, economics, sustainability and other concerns.
• Factory Farm Foe Wins Election- Opposition to factory farms drove county board candidacy in Pierce County.
• 2850 Cow Factory Farm Rejected - Citizen opposition, despite state assistance, pushes back proposal.
• EPA Asked To Veto DNR Factory Farm Permits - Citizen groups file petition requesting federal action.
• DNR Sued For Factory Farm Permit - Family farmer, neighbors, sportfishers, and environmentalists charge violations of state and federal water laws.
• Factory Farm Fact Sheet - Detail on Wisconsin laws and regulatory concerns.
• DNR Violating State Water Laws - Groups call for revocation of Shawano factory farm permit.
• Factory Farm Moratorium Resolution Passes In Martell - Pierce County town approves plan.
• Spilling Swill - New report documents factory farm pollution problems in Upper Mississippi River Basin.
• Changes Needed In Factory Farm Animal Waste Permits - Wisconsin laws can't do the job, says Izaak Walton chapter.
• Trout Unlimited Outlines Factory Farm Position - Wisconsin and Region 5 TU ask National Organization to act.
• Action Alert - Comments needed on factory farm water quality standards.
• Locals Raise Concerns - Pierce County residents share factory farm concerns with letters.
• Town Board Rejects Moratorium Plan - Conflict of interest swirls over vote in Town of Gilman.
• Pierce Co. Committee Considering Factory Farm Moratorium
• Field and Stream Magazine Discusses Factory Farms - Article from August '99 edition.
• The Family Farm Protection Act - Why we need this law to protect family farms and control factory farms.
• DNR Waste Discharge Applications - List for factory farm expansions in western Wisconsin.
• "I Will Not Remain Quiet..." - writer objects to factory farms in home town.
• Factory Farm Forum Aug. 11 In Eau Claire - Discussion focuses on the new face of Wisconsin Agriculture.
• A Front Line Report From the Great Lakes Radio Consortium on a Wisconsin Factory Farm Battle - Five minute audio story highlights Martell dairy farm battle.
• Western Wisconsin Group Sets Up Web Site To Battle Factory Farm - Visit the site.
• Factory Farms Threaten Healthy Fish Populations - a fact sheet from the Izaak Walton League.
• Factory Farm or Family Farm - that is the question posed by this western Wisconsin couple.
• Pierce Co. Dairy Factory Plan Hits Citizen Opposition - Hundreds turn out for town board hearing.
• Primera Abandons Western Wisconsin - victory for factory farm opponents over chicken factory proposal.
• Citizen Letters Demand EIS for Factory Farm - DNR must do full environmental impact statement.
• Investigation of AgBiz Concentration Called For- Coalition of U.S. Senators Want White House Investigation.
• Board of National Catholic Rural Life Conference calls for moratorium on factory farms - water quality, environment and local communities threatened.
• New Report Rips Pollution Problems from Factory Farming - drinking water and public health risks found in Wisconsin and 29 other states.
• Statement from groups concerned with factory farming - released at a Dec. 2 news conference in Eau Claire by groups opposing the Primera Egg Factory Farm.
• Foul Environmental Track Record of Egg Firm Revealed - Primera, the firm proposing the state's largest confinement animal farm, has a sleazy environmental track record in Illinois.
• EPA Wants Public Comments on Water Pollution Standards for Factory Farms - hearing coming to Madison on Nov. 30
• Group Asks DNR for Environmental Impact Statement on Egg Factory Farm - largest animal confinement operation in state history demands EIS, Dunn County group says.
• Factory Hog Farms - controversy grows as operations expand into Wisconsin.
• Egg Factory Ruffles Feathers - Dunn Co. factory farm proposal would be largest animal confinement operation in state.
• DNR doubts need for EIS at Egg Factory - impact statement probably not part of permit process for Wisconsin's largest industrial ag facility.

• Animal Waste Pollution Locater - huge site offers specifics on animal waste practices.
• Factory Farm Alarm - site offers info on threats from hog factory farms.
• Humane Farming Association.
• Hog Watch - find out what the big stink is all about.
• The Farm Credit Administration - the federal source for borrowed money for many factory farm expansions.
• The Grace Factory Farm Project - excellent source on factory farms and alternatives.
• Poultry Internet Information Resources
• What's Factory Egg Farming All About - answers to some of your questions.
• Agrisurf (a search index specializing in agricultural web sites)
• Midwest Environmental Advocates - legal help other information on factory farms. 
• The Center for Rural Affairs - lots of good stuff under corporate farming.
• Feedlot Reg's in Minnesota - see how our neighbor handles this hot topic.
• National Catholic Rural Life Conference - They have supported a moratorium on large scale confinement facilities.
• FARM - Families Against Rural Messes, Illinois group active on factory farm issues.
• Iowa Hog Confinement - the site for info on hog factories in Iowa and the Midwest.
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