To the editor,

In response to Kim Bremmer about supporting local farms means supporting local economies, I would like to ask her this: Why wasn’t your coop supporting and improving the lives of small farmers decades ago when they were struggling financially? I want to see dairy farmers continue to survive and thrive. That said, we also need to make sure the residents and local business owners have the right to make sure they have clean air, clean water, protected quality of life, and an economy that works for everyone, not just a few people.

The issue of large farms over 1,000 animal units has been going on for more than 25 years. It was an issue when I was on the county board in the early 2000s. I feel that the current regulations are not up to date and if bigger producers are going to be here, our policies need to change to address such changes in farm size. In short, there needs to be good planning and good regulations in order to protect the local economies and environment instead of being a “sacrifice zone.”

A one-year moratorium will help protect natural resources and our economy as well. We might find ways to dispose of animal waste that could be better to the environment and the economy. Maybe research and development of taking manure and composting it with other organic waste that could be sold as a fertilizer supplement or figuring out other renewable energy opportunities.

We all need to be able to ask questions on how we move forward without having to worry about destroying our local economy, our environment and quality of life. I can see a one-year moratorium helping to address those concerns and maybe making farming better and more profitable. This way, we all win in the end.

John Shafer

Town of Gilman