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Dateline: Nov. 1, 2011
After a 3.5 year hiatus, Farms Without Harm is back in action in Michigan, ready to take on the battle against the polluting corporations known as CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) that have proliferated here thanks to lax regulations. Since their advent in the 1990s, more than 200 of these Franken-farms have cropped up around the state, dumping millions of gallons of manure into our waterways and destroying the fabric of rural life with their subsidized stench, pollution, and unfair advantage over small farmers trying to do things the right way.
While factory farms haven't disappeared while we were out of state, a lot has changed for the better in West Michigan, especially regarding food. An abundance of restaurants sourcing food locally from small farmers have popped up as well as CSAs, farmers markets and a general awareness about the importance of knowing how our food is grown and who grew it.
One of the particular joys of West Michigan that we missed while living in Chicago was being in close proximity to farms (drive 10 miles outside Grand Rapids and you're in the country!) and the multitude of opportunities one has to develop a relationship with local farmers who endeavor to raise healthy food and happy animals. Our state offers that and a lot more in the form of valuable organizations here in West Michigan like the West Michigan Coop, West Michigan Farm Link, Slow Food West Michigan, Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council and many others.
For that reason alone, it's great to be back, but we're also glad to have the chance to contribute something to the fight to end factory farming in Michigan. We hope you'll join us. Review the Take Action page on this website for starters. Get involved in the Sierra Club's work in Michigan. They've been on the front lines of the fight to stop the environmental menace know as CAFOs in this state. Contact us if you have questions or ideas. We can do this!
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Farms Without Harm · gail@farmswithoutharm.org
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