Questions for Conference

         At our mid term conference I am going to ask how I am doing in the class in general. This is my first college English class, so  I am bit apprehensive I am not doing as well as others.  I am going to ask about my writing as whole.  Do I use my syntax wisely? Do I use appropriate diction?  Do you think I am efficiently transferring my writing into the different types of modules? 

Negative Effects of CAFOs on Rural Communites

           CAFOs were designed to benefit the economy positively.  These operations produce more livestock at a faster rate using less land and feed.  There is a flaw to every perfect plan, however. CAFOs do not only effect the environment and public health, they effect surrounding communities economic health.  Building one of these operations in a rural community causes the local farmers to struggle to compete and eventually these hard working men and women are put out of business.  The surrounding communities are having to pay more money on health care and environmental control rather then on desires.  Which in turn effects local stores in a negative way because their business is also suffering.  In these types of operations "CAFOs may generate profits for a few local investors but they do not promote rural economic development. CAFO operators do business wherever they can get the best deal, which typically is not in the local community." (Ikerd 2009)
            Larger businesses may want to do their business where the best deal is but people are becoming aware of how the food products they are consuming are being processed.  Those cheaper deals are also lacking in nutritional value.   More people are turning to free range and organic food for the safety of the products.  Also promoting local farmers and business to promote a good sense of local economic health.  The public in the types of communities surrounding CAFOs are spending money not at these large businesses because their issues of health and environment, not to mention the lack of income is hindering them from doing so but on more pressing issues.  Large scale grocery stores should turn to these types of alternatives for the safety of their costumers, the quality of the products, and for the fact that the customers might be able to purchase these goods and not have to worry about other concerns.


Ikerd, John. Impacts of CAFOs on Rural Communities, 2008, received fromhttp://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/Indiana%20--%20CAFOs%20%20Communities.htm

Ikerd, John. The Economics of CAFOs and Sustainable Alternatives. 2009. received from http://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/Fairfield%20IA%20-%20Economics%20of%20CAFOs.htm

CAFO Podcast

         A confined animal feeding operation might have some benefits to our society but these operations cause damage to our all around health.  CAFOs are noxious to our environmental health and our physical health.  The mass accumulation of animal waste creates problems for our environment such as polluted ground water and toxic air.  The publics' health is also effected negatively by these operations.  The toxic air can cause respiratory problems in people living close to these facilities. The improper care of the livestock causes the animals to contract deadly bacteria such as E. Coli which can be transmitted to humans.  People living around the location of one of these operations should be aware of the problems caused. Anyone who shops at any grocery store and buys meat products needs to also be aware of problems.  Basically everyone should be aware of the harmful effects of these facilities. 
          A solution to the problems that surround CAFOs to widen the area of the feeding operations so the build up of the livestock waste is not so confined creating a noxious environment.  The widening of the area keeps the livestock from wallowing in their own waste, keeping sanitation hazards at bay.  A healthy alternative would be a free range farm or an oranic farm.  The animals at these facilities have larger areas to roam.  They eat the natural vegation.  The land to animal ratio is much higher compared to the CAFO creating a well balanced eco system.
           There are many problems surrounding a CAFO but the problems do not have to be perpetual.  We can help mend these mistakes by stating our oppositions towards these facilities.  To purchase goods from a local farmer or a free range farm instead of at a local grocery store is another solution.