Friends of Rural New York

November, 2004

Dear Neighbors of Rural America

All across the nation, agricultural corporations are replacing farms in rural areas. New York State has at least 700 of these industrial sites and is planning to encourage and welcome even more of them. While some states are paying the animal factories to shut down, New York State is subsidizing and pushing honorable farmers to move all their animals into confined buildings and to construct large pits for liquid animal wastes. If you live near one of these confined animal feeding operations, (CAFOs), you probably know firsthand about the loss of water quality in your wells and streams, about the loss of fish and other wildlife, and about the loss of even the ability to breathe when the stench is coming off the spreading fields and the lagoons. You may know about the fly swarms and the mosquitoes and the loss of the use of your home and yard for gardening and barbecues.

Some people don’t mind the problems of living beside these large conglomerates. Some people believe the state regulatory agencies will keep us safe from harm from them, but not so. We, the smaller farmers and other community members surrounding the factory farm corporations, are considered “collateral damage” in the way of the corporations that are using our community resources and our land, and our tax dollars to subsidize their operations.

There are growing numbers of citizens who want to have a voice to defend traditional farmers and to advocate for the keeping of our right to clean air and clean water. We would also like to find a way to protect our wildlife and our precious soils.

Communication is always the first step in change. If You are interested in changing the trend in New York State from factory-like agriculture to real and healthy farming, or if you feel like you are the only one noticing that every aspect of your life and community is being affected by the huge “farm “ expanding all around you, we invite you to join us in advocating and educating about healthier more productive ways to farm in New York State rural communities.

We hope that through ongoing sharing and education, healthy rural communities can once again thrive in New York State.

Sincerely,
NUFF
Neighbors United for the Finger Lakes
Cayuga County, NY