Oregon values our public health and the wellbeing of our neighbors but factory farms put us at risk 

Factory farms extract wealth from our rural communities. Studies have shown that communities with high numbers of factory farms have higher levels of unemployment and outmigration, increased reliance on supplemental nutrition benefits and a decline in community services. 

The large quantities of manure that mega-dairies and other factory farms produce creates localized air pollution that puts the environment and public health at risk. Decomposing manure emits substantial amounts of toxic air pollutants — including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and particulate matter — known to cause respiratory symptoms and nuisance odors for rural residents.

Oregon mega-dairies are a primary source of dangerous nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, where Lost Valley Farms was located and where Easterday Farms is proposed. Nitrate contamination of drinking water can result in severe long-term health impacts for people who drink it. 

The climate, environmental, public health, and economic impacts of factory farms, particularly dairies, are not felt equally by all Oregonians. Black, brown, and indigenous Oregonians disproportionately bear the burden of industrial agriculture’s harms. Some of Oregon’s largest factory dairy farms are in rural Latinx and Hispanic communities, and these communities should not suffer for private profit. This is an environmental injustice. 

Factory farms are poisoning our communities in their own backyard. Oregon’s rural communities deserve good health, clean air and water and economic opportunities. 

Take Action to protect our rural communities from the harmful impacts of factory farms. It’s time for a factory farm moratorium in Oregon.