For months I have waited for someone in the private sector or government deal with the real problems at the cheese plant, i.e., producing enough milk so that CAFO’s were unnecessary. Instead we have a mutually exclusive disagreement focusing on the harms of the CAFO’s. We need to learn to quit insisting that there is a right side and a wrong side and instead resolve problems.
The purpose of this thread is to attempt in a small way to work towards a solution of this problem instead of the constant disagreement and polarization between the two sides.
The first thing we must do is define the problem. The problem is not CAFO’s. I am sure if we could find a way to produce milk and not use CAFO’s the problem would be resolved. However, before reaching this point we must all concur that CAFO’s have a number of inherent disadvantages that outweigh the benefit of producing milk.
The family farmers have been reduced over years, partly due to poor programs that were not designed for family dairy, the increase in cost due to sending trucks to smaller farms and the dependence on CAFO’s.
The area’s Economic Development in Grant County must re-think its position on CAFO’s and promote family farm operations with perhaps a concept of merging milk storage facilities reducing the costs of transportation. Perhaps programs designed to assist in the costs of transportation could encourage family dairies.
The second concept is already in place. Minnesota has long favored big CAFO’s and has been written in the past, a recent task force has indicated that the Minnesota plan includes taking out the local criticism’s of CAFO’s by having the state through the MPCA enforce regulations instead of localities. Minnesota has hundreds of miles near the South Dakota border to encourage CAFO’s. Minnesota is trending toward regionalization and the most western border could be utilized.
The third resolution is that of joining the green revolution. In Europe the dairy operations use manure to create methane gas. A quick web search shows that this technology is available. Let’s expand that concept and be the first to utilize manure to create methane gas on a commercial level. Europe has also created pellets from manure.
The task force should be answering questions and solving problems. The issue is not set back requirements. The issue is two-fold. CAFO’s are undesirable and other alternatives to the production of milk are desirable.
We may need some new leadership with Grant County Economic Development. Most certainly, the way we think about CAFO’s in this area needs to change. Continuing in reduction of population will continue to cause a gradual deterioration of our schools and business community.
Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:40 pm
Calendar