UWEX Land Use and Agriculture Team Report abstract

The ongoing consolidation of animal agriculture is creating fewer and larger (in terms of animal numbers) production facilities than in the past. Large operations, called concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) raise new concerns about their effects on air and water quality, and on local economies and communities. Members of UW-Extension's Land Use and Agriculture Team have developed an educational program to support local government officials as they explore the emerging issues surrounding animal feeding operations. Local governments play a key role in assuring that values and interests of the public are considered and are increasingly involved in planning efforts that must consider whether regulations will be imposed on large animal feeding operations. The workbook for this educational program covers: (1) general trends in the dairy farm economy, (2) Issues to consider in CAFO siting, (3) manure management and water quality issues and regulations, (4) odors, (5) social and economic issues, and (6) planning and regulatory options.

This publication is not available on the web. For copies of this report, please contact the PATS office @ 608-265-2908 or email nlcarlis@wisc.edu

For more information on this program, see the Land Use and Agriculture Team Website at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/teams/landuse/index.html