Solutions on Improving CAFOs

        The agriculture community has drastically changed in the past century.  In the 1960's there were over 1 million hog producers and in 2005 the number dropped to 67,000 producers.  Not only do CAFOs effect the health and the environment. They effect people's livelihoods. These large producers are buying out the "little guy".  Many farms are family farms passed down through the generations. With the mega farms these farmers can not compete, many of them reluctantly have to give up their livelihood.  This is unsettling.  To many of these people farming is all they have, all the know.  The importance of supporting local farmers or businesses is significant in assisting your local economy to thrive.
        There are flaws in every plan.  CAFOs certainly have many flaws. Fortunately producers are taking action to improve on the areas that need to be improved on.  The Clean Water Act recognizes the pollutants that the result form these farms.  After reviewing the problems the EPA and the USDA have come up with regulatory requirements, limitations guidelines and also producers have to obtain permits to run these operations. I think this a great way to monitor and control the waste that is being produced in the CAFOs.  
       Both of these sources are credible. The first source comes from a professor from Iowa University, the second from the EPA.  The purpose of these sources are to inform the public about the impact of CAFOs and how the problems are trying to be solved.  The first source is current. The second source is a few years older but the Clean Water Act is still in effect. It has actually been in effect since 1970, however updates are made to the act as agriculture production is also being updated.
           

Donham Kelley J, Flora Jan L, Hodne Carol, Osterberg David, Thorne Peter S, Thu Kendall M, Wing Steven.  Feb2007 Community Health and Socioeconomic Issues surrounding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Retrieved from http://lib-proxy.purduecal.edu:2461/ehost/detail?sid=df4cde3e-e5d0-4099-859e-d62c061cd1ca%40sessionmgr104&vid=1&hid=112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=24222562

Johnson Renee Selinsky, Wheeler William J, Christian Lee A. 1999 EPAs Approach to Controlling Pollution From Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: An Economic Analysis. Retrieved from http://lib-proxy.purduecal.edu:2461/ehost/detail?sid=78fad9fd-1de5-4ce0-9e0b-73e3fd1cf1a6%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=crh&AN=2864813

CAFOs Efficient or Mephitic?

What impact do Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) have on water quality and the environment?
          First of all a CAFO is an animal feeding facility that confines large quantities of animals in a limited amount of space.  During the growing season this area does not produce vegetation.  The concentration of waste combined with improperly managing the disposal of this waste can cause harm to the environment and public health.  Pollutants such as nitrogen, ammonia, and pathogens run off into waterways.  Environmental impact from this neglect can result in degradation of water resources and illness to the people exposed to such pathogens in their drinking water.  Also odors from the CAFOs can contribute to respiratory problems. 
          This paper will summarize how the negative effects of improperly managed CAFOs can harm our environment and residents surrounding the facilities.  I will also explain how simply following guidelines and regulations can improve water quality around the neighboring areas of these facilities.


 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Friday April 15 2011.  How do CAFOs Impact the Environment? Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/region7/water/cafo/cafo_impact_environment.htm.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Monday July 18 2011. Effluent Guidelines: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Industry. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/cafo/index.cfm.

Clean Water

       Water is essential to anyone who enjoys living.  It is one of our most valuable natural resources.  Shouldn't we all be able to enjoy a refreshing glass of clean water without having to worry about infectious bacteria such as E. coli?  Indiana's waterways are unfortunately polluted with such bacteria.  What can we do to preserve one of our state's most valuable resource? What causes Northwest Indiana's waterways to be so unsafe?  How does polluted water effect our other resources such as land and air?  What are the negative health effects of drinking polluted water?

Pathos

Before her accident

     Remember when speaking in public to think of your audience. Keeping your audience interested is very important. You can use logos, ethos and pathos to do just that.
     Pathos in an argument is used to "tug on your heart strings" or evoke a feeling of pity or compassion.  The article I viewed  about Jacqueline Saburido is overwhelmed with pathos. This beautiful young women tragically fell victim to drunk driving; over 60% of her body is severely burned.  This article informs the public of the consequences of a "harmless" ride, which can destroy your entire life. The article contains few words  but these gruesome images make the claim that drunk driving can not only take away lives but annihilate lives.  This argument generates the emotion of extreme empathy or compassion for Ms. Saburido.  Those emotions combined with those pictures should persuade people never even consider drinking and driving as an option. To also be an   advocate against drunk driving. 
                                                     

After her accident