Long-time AFA member Alissa Kircher wrote a letter to the editor of her local newspaper. In it, she called for local, state, and federal programs to help farmers transition to fiber-rich food crops.
She titled it “Maryland Department of Agriculture Accepting Proposals for 2021 Animal Waste Grants”, and she made especially strong points about adverse environmental impacts of livestock production near where she lives.
Here are some excerpts:
Animal agriculture poses serious human health and environmental risks due to animal waste that pollutes the air, land, and water. In fact, 80% of ammonia emissions in the United States come from animal waste, which leads to illnesses, especially for communities near these farms – including right here in Maryland. Furthermore, water used in the industrial farming system is so contaminated with antibiotics, hormones, and bacteria that it cannot be returned to the water system.
https://southernmarylandchronicle.com/2021/02/11/letter-to-the-editor-regarding-maryland-department-of-agriculture-accepting-proposals-for-2021-animal-waste-grants/
Transition Programs Needed Now
To effectively restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding communities from animal agriculture waste and runoff, Senator Cardin, Senator Van Hollen, and Representative Hoyer should support policies that transition animal husbandry farmers to plant-based farming practices. These types of programs would provide options to any farmers interested in exiting livestock production and entering plant-based food or green energy production. Not only is this lucrative to the farmer, but it also creates less need for fertilizer/pesticides, while reducing the risk of pollution and many other human health hazards associated with farming animals.
https://southernmarylandchronicle.com/2021/02/11/letter-to-the-editor-regarding-maryland-department-of-agriculture-accepting-proposals-for-2021-animal-waste-grants/
Do you want to write a letter to the editor of your local paper too? If you want to express support for transition programs for livestock farmers, AFA can help. Writing a letter to your local paper can help AFA pass the FARMS Act.