Editor, Times-Union: Surely many of you have read the concerns expressed about production agriculture, specifically CAFO, in our county. Admittedly, the more modern approach to livestock production lacks the whimsy of our grandparents’ “family farm,” but most of the CAFOs in Kosciusko county are family-owned farms, and they deserve our recognition and appreciation for the service they provide. These farmers are some of the most devoted conservationists in our country, despite misunderstanding of what they do. Just as opponents of CAFOs are not willing to change their minds or back down, CAFOs themselves will not disappear. With that understood, we should all be working together to make realistic suggestions for improvements.
One area of contention is the use of animal waste, but as the old adage goes, “it” happens, and rather than condemning those who use animal waste as fertilizer, we should recognize its many benefits as an eco-friendly option. Not only does using manure eliminate the potentially dangerous misuse of chemical fertilizer, it reduces soil runoff and greenhouse gas emissions used in producing commercial nitrogen fertilizers (eXtension.org). Also, the USDA reports, that our country imported over 18.5 million tons of potash, phosphate and nitrogen last year. Using the fertilizer that occurs naturally in our county is a much more responsible option for our farms. Also, since most live in the community where they are using this natural fertilizer, farmers would not risk mismanagement and endangering their families or the area they call home.
Of course, chickens in the barnyard alongside a bountiful garden would be the ideal of country nostalgia, and if this is how you are able to live, you are to be commended; however, production has had to evolve in order to meet the growing demands of our world. Still, the intent of production agriculture – to provide a healthy, high quality product while being stewards of the land – has remained the same.
Mindy Wise North Manchester, via e-mail David Ransbottom Claypool, via e-mail
