THE ARGUMENT

Over the past 20 years, there has been a change in food production in our country, especially when it comes to raising livestock. In order to maximize the profit and output volume of their facilities, distributors have moved away from the traditional family farms to factory farms. Factory farms, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) allow more product to be exported from a single facility (Food and Water). While this has allowed the meat production industry to meet the high US demand, it also has serious consequences for our communities.

The growth of factory farming in the United States means that most people do not have any idea where their food is coming from. Meat production happens out of the view of the public, leaving many people oblivious to the impact that their meat consumption has on their community and environment. At the same time, these factory-farming facilities place little emphasis on environmental safety, humane treatment of the animals, and providing safe and healthy food (Food and Water). Therefore, the environment is not the only negative impact of factory farming. Factory farming raises serious concerns about animal rights and human health.

Due to the many serious consequences of factory farming, it is critical that people take an active role in knowing where and how they get their food. As a society, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to how our food ends up on table; there are too many risks, both for us and our environment, by the time it reaches our supermarkets. It is imperative that we ask questions and demand transparency and humanity from our providers.

This website aims to address some of the most dire issues surrounding factory farming and its impact on our environment. We want to raise awareness of the factory farming industry and how it affects our lives, and hope that this site will inspire you to ask what is in that mystery meat you're consuming.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Factory farming has significant environmental impacts that cannot be ignored. First, it is a serious strain on natural resources. Instead of using resources such as grain and water to nourish people, these resources are used to raise animals, which consume the majority of the grain produced in the United States (Farm Sanctuary). In order to keep up with the demand, more land has been exploited for farming processes. This has lead to the destruction of forests, riverbeds, and other ecosystems. This can have serious lasting effects on local ecosystems (Farm Sanctuary).

Another environmental concern is the amount of waste produced by farms raising animals. In the United States, the amount of waste produced by farm animals is 130 times more than that produced by human beings (Farm Sanctuary). More troubling than these statistics is the way that this waste is often dealt with. Waste is often filtered into man-made lakes, which ends up holding millions of gallons of liquid waste. This water is used to irrigate crops and usually ends up finding its way into local water supplies (Sustainable Living).

A lagoon in Georgia full of animal waste (Vegan on the Cheap)

Besides the fact that factory farms produce excess of waste, this waste can have serious consequences for surrounding communities. Runoff from factory farms is a danger to local ecosystems, causing the death of millions of fish so far. Even worse than that, these sources of water can carry bacteria to humans, causing symptoms such as memory loss, sores, nausea, and fatigue (Farm Sanctuary). This runoff can contaminate water sources used by local communities, and can also lead to air pollution. The stench caused by factor farms can often affect and even disperse the surrounding communities (Food and Water).

Despite the many environmental concerns being raised about factory farms, the number of such farms continues to increase. As they become bigger and cram more animals into small spaces, these institutionalized production sites are putting smaller farms out of business. At this point more than 50% of the U.S.' livestock is raised on only 5% of the nation's farms (Food and Water).

ANIMAL RIGHTS

Animal cruelty is a non-issue to owners and operators of factory farms. These animals are mistreated and abused in order to maximize output from these facilities. Animals are kept in the smallest spaces possible in order to fit more produce into smaller spaces. They are forced into confined spaces, sometimes with several other animals, often preventing them space to move, turn around, or lie down (Go Veg). This lack of movement allows them to create more produce. Due to these conditions, many animals end up dying; however, this lost profit is considered a better option than offering larger cages (Go Veg).

Factory-farmed animals such as cows and pigs spend the majority of their lives inside of crates too small to turn around in. Just a few days after birth, the young animals are roped by their necks and confined to their crates. This lack of space keeps the animals from moving and produces better products. Even while pregnant animals are allowed no movement (Humane Society).

Chickens face the same terrible condition on factory farms. First, they are forced into cages with several other chickens. At a young age the chicken’s have their beaks cut off to prevent them from pecking at the other animals when stress drives them to violence. These procedures are done without anesthesia. In order to increase output, chickens are genetically altered to grow faster than they would have normal. This stresses their fragile systems, causing many of them to die. Often times, their legs are unable to support their increased body weight and become crippled. Even if the chickens survive these ordeals, they often face issues due to the diseased facilities they are kept in (Farm Santuary).

Even after their dismal lives on factory farms, chickens face an exceptional ordeal when they are sent to slaughter. Unlike other animals, chickens are not protected under the 1958 Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which requires that livestock be numbed to pain before entering slaughter plants. However, birds were not considered part of the definition of livestock meaning they are not protected under this bill. Therefore, birds are subjected to inhumane techniques, including “shackling them upside-down, electrically stunning them into paralysis (but not unconsciousness), and sometimes even drowning them in tanks of scalding water—all while countless birds are full conscious” (Humane Society).

This video is one of hundreds of videos drawing attention to the horrors of factory farming.

Unfortunately, animals raised on factory farms don’t have the same legal protection as other animal such as cats or dogs. These species are protected from mutilation, neglect, drug use, extreme weather exposure, genetic manipulation, and unnecessary slaughter. Animals raised on factory farms enjoy none of these protections, and in fact face them on a daily basis (Go Veg).

HEALTH IMPACT

http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/images/china-sick-pigs.jpg

Factory farming poses as much of a threat on the animals that it enslaves, as the humans that consume its result. The mass waste that is produced as a result of the heavy concentration of animals is without a proper home. Sadly this waste is sprayed on fields or kept in huge vats eventually leeching into the ground water. The spraying of animal waste into the air releases numerous amounts of toxins, which can affect air quality for miles due to the heavy concentration. The most hazardous of these gasses are Ammonia and Hydrogen Sulfide; known to be fatal to humans in a high enough concentration. (Kilborn)

The meat, which is really meant to look as little like meat as possible, is of an even more vile condition. The animals are tortured due to their confinement; some are badly scathed with open sores, exposed bone, filthy cages, and even dead animals. Animals are mistreated to the point that some do not even make it to slaughter. As long as the animals are living at slaughter they can legally be sold as meat. How do you know if the animals are not sick if they are constantly fed antibiotics and steroids? How will eating sick meat affect humans?

Antibiotic resistant microorganisms are now common knowledge among most of American society. Yet we still eat the meat responsible for their mutation without much concern. These microorganisms eventually make it into the food chain due to the large scale processing and runoff onto other farms due to improper handling. This has huge impacts on human health especially in the future as the shit accumulates by the lagoon full.

ALTERNATIVES TO FACTORY FARMED MEAT

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SHOP SMART

- Look for labels that read “organic,” “free-roaming,” “free-range,” or “hormone free.” Although such labels do not guarantee humane and safe facilities, it is better than buying unlabeled products. Some stores will even offer products marked “certified humane.” Still the best option is pastured animals that graze on actual grass, if you can find labels that state this it is worth your money.
- Buy local brands. These products tend to be offered by smaller farms, reducing the risk of buying products produced by factory farms. Furthermore, consumers know exactly where their products are coming from.

Where to shop smart in Athens County:

The Farmacy
Athens Farmers Market
The Undercover Market
Kroger

REDUCE YOUR CONSUMPTION

- Reduce the amount of animal products you consume.
- Replace some of your meat consumption with alternatives. Integrating vegetable-based options into your diet is both healthier and reduces the need for factory-farmed foods.

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF THE ISSUE

It is clear that factory farming is a heavy issue with serious consequences. Despite this fact, many have attempted to use humor and creative media to draw attention to this serious issue. Below are some examples of how creative media can effectively draw in viewers.

Mark Fiore

FICTION VS. REALITY

Did you think your animals really grazed on a pasture prior to slaughter?

Thats more like it, no grass, no room, and thousands of cows stuck together.