To the editor,

Family farms and rural communities in Pierce County are currently under attack by corporate dairy interests who aim to exploit the infrastructure and natural resources that are vital to the livability of our rural townships.

Last week lawyers and Big Ag muckety mucks traveled from the far corners of Wisconsin to threaten communities and board members of eastern Pierce County townships with lawsuits and propaganda against legal, protective CAFO operation ordinances that our townships are considering. Maiden Rock had the fortitude to be the first in the county to pass their CAFO Operation Ordinances recently. Thank you, Maiden Rock.

As I listened to a Big Ag’s lawyer prattle on at the Gilman Township meeting last week, she made the claim that she represents all of agriculture. And while she definitely represents the position of mega dairies, Ridge Breeze and a few others, she does not represent the multitude of other farms operating in Pierce County. My husband and I have lived in Rock Elm Township for 24 years and have built a unique and successful vegetable, beef, and chicken farm, which has been our primary source of income since we moved here.

There are so many kinds of farms in Pierce County that add to the fabric of our rural communities. These represent the real farmers of Pierce County, and for most of them, they want nothing to do with corporate mega dairy lies being propagated by lawyers and Big Ag folks from who knows where. Consider attending your town board meetings to help your township adopt protective, necessary and legal CAFO Operations Ordinances.

Angelica Hollstadt

Elmwood