What are the consequences of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in local communities? How will the proposed CAFO in Bayfield County affect Wisconsin? Are there any logical alternatives? On Tuesday, June 16, guest host Patty Peltekos, talked with Mary Dougherty about the proposed pig CAFO.
Mary Dougherty lives in Bayfield Wisconsin with her husband, 5 children and three dogs. Dougherty believes that civic engagement, vigilance and stewardship are critical as we move towards a world where water scarcity will determine the health and viability of communities.
She started a photography project called Words for Water in response to the CAFO issue facing her community. It’s a gathering place for people who value the Lake Superior Basin and its fragile ecosystem. She asks the question, “What are your words for water?” in order to capture the essence of what we, as a community, value about Lake Superior and the land, streams, rivers and watersheds that feed it.
The proposed CAFO, Badgerwood, would be located in Eileen, a small town in Bayfield County. The farm would hold 26,000 pigs, producing 6.5 million gallons of waste which is roughly equivalent to the waste produced by 50,000 humans.
Dougherty is a member of Farms Not Factories, a network against the corporate farm. They believe “environmental stewardship, civic engagement, natural resource conservation, local control and sustainable agriculture are inherently connected and vital to building strong, prosperous rural communities.” The network continues to rally support against Badgerwood, and encourages conservation of wildlife, protection of family farms, and empowers citizens to protect their communities.
Listen to today’s edition of A Public Affair to hear more.
