To the Editor: That the County Commission ignored legal council advising us not to put the CAFO health ordinance in place is totally false. We had advise from our lawyer who advises 40 other counties every step of the way. We also talked with several of the 20 other county commissions who already had health ordinances in place. Only one other county has placed their CAFO health ordinance up for a vote.

By contrast Cooper County’s commission is presently in a law suit with many of their constituents over how they are handling the very large purported Minnesota sow operation that is wanting to move into a Cooper County community.

Sam Stroupe

Howard County Presiding

Commissioner.

To the Editor: The preamble to the United States Constitution reads as follows: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United Sates of America.

As I sat through the meeting in the basement of Community Trust Bank in Fayette concerning the issue of the Health Ordinance in Howard County that will be on the ballot in less than a month­—and that has been in effect since last year—I could not help but think of these words and the principles upon which the United States was founded.

It is essential that Howard County vote Yes on Question 1 on August 6 to keep the current Health Ordinance, which has been, and would continue to help, limit the ravaging effects of CAFOs on our great county. The “mother of counties.”

The preamble states that this Constitution is ordained and established to provide for a common defence and promote the general welfare. The two words common and general are important here. The Health Ordinance that we, as a county, are voting on does, and hopefully continues to do, just that—defend all of us against the corporate cruelty that CAFOs often times endorse and promote and sustain our Earth’s natural resources—its plants, its animals, its water, and most of all, its people. After all, in a democracy, we are in this together. Too many times I heard opponents of the Health Ordinance use “me” and “my” and “mine.” While I definitely understand looking out for one’s financial interests and pursuing happiness, it should not happen at the expense of one’s neighbors, hence the word ourselves in the preamble. In the end, all that we can take with us when we leave this world is what we give away. We need a lot less “me” and a lot more “we” in this conversation. What happens to one of us happens to all of us, and as I heard the testimony of the farmer from Callaway County last night, if we vote No on Question 1, I fear that these will be testimonies from farmers in Howard County in the near future.

I cannon also help but to notice the spiritual language used in the preamble—ordained. Our nation’s forefathers wrote the Declaration and the Constitution with the teaches of the Bible in mind. For a country that many argue has lost its moral compass, we in Howard County have a chance to be the example in morality and humanity. Would Jesus like CAFO’s? Would Jesus appreciate a state legislature that defends outside, dark, moneyed interests over the family farmer? Would Jesus approve of Ronald Reagan’s “city on a hill” being a China-owned CAFO?

Let’s leave greed at the doorstep and let grace in by voting Yes on Question 1 on August 7. Let’s vote for love and compassion for our neighbors. Let’s stare down the politics of fear and misinformation and show our state and our nation that we are hopeful for our future, that we believe in each other, that we will never stop seeking the truth.

William R. Gerding

Sue Gerding

To the Editor: Is 47,840 cows, or 119,600 hogs, or 4,784,000 chickens enough? If you have this many animals, on your 160 acre farm the health ordinance will NOT affect you. My wife and I raise hogs in Howard County, and trust me I don’t want unnecessary regulations on my farm. When I first heard about the county health ordinance, I’ll admit I was concerned that it would negatively impact, my hog business. Then, I read the ordinance and realized that it is completely reasonable and fair. If someone wanted have more animals than the above number they CAN, according to the health ordinance. They only have to have their animals a certain distance form their neighbor’s farm and from town, also have enough land to spread the manure, and not pollute their neighbor’s water. These are the regulations that they would need to follow, that is it! These seem very reasonable to me. If you think 47,840 cows is enough, vote YES to keep the health ordinance in place.

Secondly, the company who wants to put in this CAFO, outside of Armstrong, is a Minnesota based company with ties to the Chinese government. Do you want Chinese government owing land in Howard County? If you think Howard County farms should be owned by Howard County farmers, vote YES, to keep the health ordinance.

Third, concerning the fact that this health ordinance stops farmers from expanding into “modern farming.” When the company builds a “CAFO,” they own everything, they just hire employees to do the grunt work, is that really the definition of a FARMER? Are these the “FARMS” we want our children to have, owning NOTHING, earning minimum wage, being bossed around by out of state companies? If you don’t want that for your children either, vote YES, and support the Howard County Health Ordinance.

Sincerely,

William Sullivan

Sullivan Farms

Fayette, MO

To the Editor: My friends and neighbors in Howard County, I would ask that you would consider voting NO on Question 1 on the August ballot about the health ordinance concerning the feeding and production of livestock in Howard County. As a third generation farmer and cattle feeder, I am very concerned about these additional measures, which would add even more rules to an already heavily regulated industry. It will add additional barriers to the men and women who work hard 365 days a year to provide the public with safe, healthy and affordable food. People in favor of the ordinance say they are trying to protect the small, independent farmer and rancher from outside interests, but judging by the meeting I attended on Monday, most of the speakers pushing for the measure are not locals and know very little about what it takes to farm and ranch here. And many that are from here, do not make a living off what they call their farm, like I do. My Grandpa raised and fed cattle in the New Franklin area until he was 90 years old. All I’m asking is that you consider voting NO on August 7 and give me and others like me a chance to do the same. Thank you.

Brad Kircher

To the Editor: Bring Common Sense Back to Howard County

On August 7th voters will see Question 1 regarding the county health ordinance that was unfortunately passed in May 2017. This ordinance will affect our farmers and ranchers, especially young farmers and those looking to expand their operations, regardless of what the animal rights activists say.

These activists spew lies in order to sway voters in the attempt to accomplish their end agenda…eliminate agriculture. They want you to think, “…large operations can expect, on average, 600 animal deaths per day.” In reality, any operation, regardless of size, would be out of business if this were the case. Common sense people.

They want you to think this ordinance will protect “traditional family farms.” In reality, this ordinance will inhibit a family farm from continuing to farm with the next generation. In order for a family farm to be able to support the next generation (an additional family), they must get bigger. This ordinance shuts the door on growth in agriculture.

They want you to think the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has lax regulations. When in reality, these regulations are based in science and research, with years of data to back it up. The current health ordinance was modified the day of the vote based on the opinions of the activists in the room and NOT on science. Nor was there any time to allow common sense to weigh in with the speedy vote.

On August 7, I hope and pray the people of Howard County will bring common sense back with a NO vote to Question 1.

Steven Shipp

To the Editor: Vote No on Question 1

As a farmer and Howard County cattleman, I urge everyone to join me in voting NO on Question 1 on August 7. While the ballot language may seem harmless, this ordinance has long-term ramifications for Howard county by eliminating options for feeding animals in our rural county. Our family has farmed in this county for generations. We value our freedoms and take seriously our responsibilities to our land, animals and our community. We work hard and make decisions based on a long-term view of leaving our land better than when we began farming it.

As we prepare our kids as the next generation ...to oversee this farm, we

... should be for what CAFOs will do to their family operations. Without the protection of our health ordinance, the cattle CAFOs will do to cattle operations what hog CAFOs did to hog farmers in the 1990s. Today most independent hog farms have been decimated by CAFOS, and virtually none are left. Missouri families raising cattle are the newest target of corporate “farms.”

Right now, with our existing health ordinance, cattlemen can confine up to 300 head of cattle per acre. That is more than enough crowding of animals for finishing—at some point, cattle population outweighs health benefits for the animals, and for people who live near feedlots.

Animal crowding requires increased use of antibiotics, in an effort to control infection. This, in turn, contributes to more antibiotic-resistant bacteria—it becomes a vicious cycle that is harmful to our whole ecosystem, with people subjected to ever more resistant infections, such as MRSA, Staph and Strep.

The CAFOs are invading our state. If we do not stop them now, it will be too late. Missouri will look like Iowa, with 10,000 mega-farms, and the disease and gross pollution they bring. Corporate Investor-owned cattle and hog CAFOs will be all we have left here, and that really stinks! Please vote YES on Question 1.

Gloria Banning

Armstrong, MO

To the Editor: As a Howard County farmer, I urge you to vote NO on Question 1 on August 7th. The ordinance the ballot talks about is a back-door, one-size fits all regulation imposing restrictive zoning on animal feeding operations. The effect of these ordinances in other counties has been to discourage agricultural entrepreneurship and post notice that animal feeding is not welcome in the county.

Think about this, if livestock is not fed in America’s heartland, home of abundant corn and soybean production, where will they be fed? I care about how my dairy, beef, pork and poultry are raised. I trust American farmers and ranchers and our government’s role in regulatory oversight. It doesn’t rest so easy with me to think of the likely lack of inspection and environmental oversight of food produced outside our borders. If rural counties like ours decide there is no room for food production anywhere in our county, is that the eventual outcome of the choice we are making?

I believe there are farms well-situated to feed animals in this county and hope we don’t slam the door shut on animal feeding; an opportunity which brings along with it demand for our grain, jobs, an improved tax base and a source of natural fertilizer for local grain and hay production. This county has rejected planning and zoning in the past. Don’t accept this broad attempt to eliminate options for agricultural enterprise across Howard County.

We aren’t living in the wild west; the Missouri Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture implement regulations overseeing animal agriculture in Missouri. Laws and regulations already on the books provide oversight of animal health and environmental impact which balance adequate protections with freedom for our state’s farms, ranches and agribusinesses to operate. Let’s work together to grow the economy and communities of Howard County – economies and communities built on the foundation of agriculture. Please join me in voting NO on Question 1.

Larry Felten

Row Crop Farmer

To the Editor: Being a citizen of Howard County I was at first pleased upon learning Howard County might become home to a CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation). This particular operation was to be a management company for the feeding of 7,900 hogs and would be located in north Howard County. Big business in a small rural area usually means jobs, an economic impact and a sense of pride for the community. Turns out that is NOT what a CAFO ultimately brings.

Missouri state standards allows up to 17,499 hogs within 2,000 feet of a residence and an unlimited number of animals can be located 3,000 feet from a residence. That’s a lot of pigs within a short distance of where people call home. Many people living near a CAFO often report becoming sick from toxic gases produced by animal waste and the stench is overwhelming even miles away.

All of those piggies produce a lot of poop. According to an EPA study 4,000 hogs can generate as much waste as a city of 16,000 people and 17,500 hogs plus, can generate as much waste as the city of St. Louis. What happens to the waste is equally alarming. CAFOs are allowed to spray applied waste 50 feet from a property line, 300 feet from a drinking well or spring and 150 feet from a public use area. Manure runoff will contaminate streams, rivers and lakes.

Some CAFOs export the waste from their operation to another entity and the CAFO is then no longer responsible or liable for waste application because there are no state regulations for this procedure. In 2014 in Callaway County, waste from a hog farm spilled while it was being applied to farm land, allowing 10,000 gallons of black, foul smelling effluent to flow into an intermittent waterway that is a tributary of Millers Creek. Clean up was a nightmare.

CAFOs are responsible for many health risks. All hog CAFOs with less than 17,500 hogs are exempt from Missouri air quality standards. Children with growing lungs are even more susceptible to lowered air quality and can become prone to lung disease and other health effects according to the National Association of Local Boards of Health. An Iowa study found that people living within 1 mile of a hog CAFO were three times more likely to have antibiotic resistant bacteria (MRSA) than people not near factory farms. Hydrogen sulfide, which has a rotten egg odor, can cause inflammation of eye and respiratory tract membranes, and loss of olfactory neurons.

Eventually CAFOs take a tremendous economic toll on communities. Unlike traditional family farms, which purchase feed and supplies from local businesses CAFOs typically purchase everything from outside of the region and pay the few workers (much of the operation is computerized) a very low wage. The end result is that the animal factories provide little to no stimulus for local economies, family farms are driven out of business and properties can be devalued from 6.6% to 88% depending upon the distance from the animal factory. Populations of counties eventually decrease...who wants to live in a county with operating CAFOs? Subsequently the only ones who benefit from CAFOs are their CEOs and corporate shareholders (many of which reside in China or Brazil). China has an insatiable appetite for pork and is basically using the United States as its main producer to meet its demand.

A health ordinance trumps Federal and State laws and applies some restrictions and common sense regulations that would be stringent enough to keep out CAFOs while allowing established farmers and ranchers to be grandfathered in.

Being a conservative I don’t usually endorse government rules and regulations but in my opinion this county ordinance is a MUST. The state of Iowa is a prime example of what could happen with a number of over 15,000 CAFOs of all sizes already in place and the number is growing. There are already 500 established CAFOs in Missouri at this time.

Simply put, counties in Missouri with a health ordinance have no CAFOs. Please vote yes on Question 1 and pass the Howard County Health Ordinance.

Sandy Marshall

Howard County Citizen

To the Editor: We support a YES vote on August 7 for the Howard County Health Ordinance passed by the commissioners in 2017 which regulates CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations). This ordinance is not about curtailing the operations of family farmers raising livestock in our county, nor is it about infringing on the rights of property owners. Current livestock operations are grandfathered. Rather, the ordinance protects our community by outlining common sense guidelines for unregulated factory-type animal production. Not passing this ordinance could endanger the health of our entire community.

These corporations don’t give a damn about family farmers or small town folks. These are the same corporations that have caused the near extinction of independent family farm animal production. In 1985 there were over 23,000 hog farmers in Missouri. Today there are only about 2,100.

The ordinance is about making rules so that “Big Ag” is restricted from ruining our quality of life. It’s about not letting greedy US and international corporations exploit our beautiful land. Missouri State regulations allow a production facility with up to 17,499 hogs within 2000 feet of a neighbor’s house. Is there anyone who wants that kind of operation to move in next door to their home? Next to their children’s yard?

The Department of Natural Resources’ regulations do not protect our environment from the disposal of CAFO waste (including excrement loaded with chemicals, antibiotics infectious bacteria and dead animals). As such, it is up to us to protect our own community - our property values, our land, our water, our air, our health and the health of our children - for our present and for our future.

The Health Ordinance safeguards the health of individuals, supports the elements of community health, public health and the health of our local economy. Air Quality is endangered by noxious smells and toxic particulate matter from unregulated CAFOs. Ground water - our water - is endangered when “waste”, AKA excrement, is unregulated. Scientific research has documented that CAFO neighborhoods have higher rates of childhood asthma, higher rates of depression, and increased rates of drug resistant infections.

Propaganda from corporate animal Big Ag will try to convince you that regulating CAFOs somehow impeded potential for new jobs and economic development in Howard County. Do not believe this. Any profit from these kinds of operations gets sucked out of local communities and into the pockets of wealthy stockholders, maybe in Minnesota, maybe in China or Brazil. CAFOs typically offer very few jobs to local citizens. Any potential income to rural communities like ours is offset by the financial burden of maintaining infrastructure like roads and water quality, and the devaluation of local property values.

Please read the ordinance * passed by our commissioners to “enhance the public health and prevent the entrance of infections, contagious, communicable or dangerous disease”. Then VOTE YES on Question One on August 7.

Sincerely, Hope Tinker and David Fortel, Fayette, Mo.

* http//nmplanner.missouri.edu/regulations/mocountyrules/howadCounty.pdf