CAFO Case Study
1. What is a CAFO and how is it diff erent from traditional farming?
CAFO's are Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in which these places raise farm animals in a facility.
The difference between this and traditional farming is that these are completely indoor and shut tight. These
also contain a higher pollution output.
2. What types of CAFOs are in Farmville? How many animals are housed in each CAFO?
The CAFOS are poultry and swine.
Animals Housed in each CAFO:
3. Based upon what you currently know about CAFOs, what can you infer are some of the issues for each side
of the CAFO controversy? What are some of the viewpoints that proponents and opponents may state for and
against CAFOs?
I can infer that people against it would say that it is environmentally problematic as an argument while the
other side would say that they have a more sustainable way to produce food. Some viewpoints the proponents
state are that it creates more jobs and revenues. Opponents will say that it is expensive.
CAFO's are Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in which these places raise farm animals in a facility.
The difference between this and traditional farming is that these are completely indoor and shut tight. These
also contain a higher pollution output.
2. What types of CAFOs are in Farmville? How many animals are housed in each CAFO?
The CAFOS are poultry and swine.
Animals Housed in each CAFO:
- 80000 hen, 5-8 thousand pigs, 75000 swine.
3. Based upon what you currently know about CAFOs, what can you infer are some of the issues for each side
of the CAFO controversy? What are some of the viewpoints that proponents and opponents may state for and
against CAFOs?
I can infer that people against it would say that it is environmentally problematic as an argument while the
other side would say that they have a more sustainable way to produce food. Some viewpoints the proponents
state are that it creates more jobs and revenues. Opponents will say that it is expensive.
1. What did you learn about CAFOs?
I learned that CAFOS are where animals are basically prisoners in a small space not being able to move around.
Although it produces food, it creates a lot of pollution.
2. What are or might be some of the negative concerns with CAFOs?
Some negative concerns is that it creates pollution. Nutrients produces in the process could also start
eutrophication in nearby bodies of water.
3. During your review of the reference material, which references are biased and which are unbiased? How can you tell?
#1 was not biased as it just stated information and no opinions
#2 was biased as it stated opinions related to how it was bad.
#3 was not biased as it only showed laws related to CAFOs
I learned that CAFOS are where animals are basically prisoners in a small space not being able to move around.
Although it produces food, it creates a lot of pollution.
2. What are or might be some of the negative concerns with CAFOs?
Some negative concerns is that it creates pollution. Nutrients produces in the process could also start
eutrophication in nearby bodies of water.
3. During your review of the reference material, which references are biased and which are unbiased? How can you tell?
#1 was not biased as it just stated information and no opinions
#2 was biased as it stated opinions related to how it was bad.
#3 was not biased as it only showed laws related to CAFOs
1. What concerns and medical conditions have you heard the residents express?
Some concerns are Asthma, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and heart attacks.
2. What do they believe is the source of their illnesses?
The Eastville Swinery
3. Should you consider their experiences with the CAFO for your vote?
Yes as you are basing it on facts
4. Using the facts you have learned from your independent research and the concerns you have heard from the
residents, what is your current position concerning the proposed CAFO expansion?
It should not expand due to the concerns of the local residents. The expansion could lead to more
health dangers for the residents.
Some concerns are Asthma, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and heart attacks.
2. What do they believe is the source of their illnesses?
The Eastville Swinery
3. Should you consider their experiences with the CAFO for your vote?
Yes as you are basing it on facts
4. Using the facts you have learned from your independent research and the concerns you have heard from the
residents, what is your current position concerning the proposed CAFO expansion?
It should not expand due to the concerns of the local residents. The expansion could lead to more
health dangers for the residents.
1. What are some of the types of microorganisms identifi ed in Hattie’s water samples?
Some microorganisms are E. Coli, Coliform, and Gardia
2. What are the levels of E. coli in water that the EPA consider safe for recreational use? What are the levels for
drinking water?
3. What are some of the bacteria levels detected in Hattie’s samples?
There was one sample that had 1 million colonies of E.coli in water
4. What is the proposed plan the farmers are considering to help their cause against the CAFO expansion?
Their plan is to collect samples and if it is high concentration of bacteria, then they will report to the EPA.
5. If you were one of the farmers, would you participate in the board meeting and/or help collect samples?
Yes to help the community and to stop the expansion of CAFOS.
Some microorganisms are E. Coli, Coliform, and Gardia
2. What are the levels of E. coli in water that the EPA consider safe for recreational use? What are the levels for
drinking water?
- 133 E.coli colonies for the recreational uses
- and no E Coli for drinking water
3. What are some of the bacteria levels detected in Hattie’s samples?
There was one sample that had 1 million colonies of E.coli in water
4. What is the proposed plan the farmers are considering to help their cause against the CAFO expansion?
Their plan is to collect samples and if it is high concentration of bacteria, then they will report to the EPA.
5. If you were one of the farmers, would you participate in the board meeting and/or help collect samples?
Yes to help the community and to stop the expansion of CAFOS.