So I have to eat crow and admit that I actually enjoyed and learned a great deal from the experience I had at the "factory farm". Rumors I heard about these behemoths of the agricultural era abound, but exist more as urban legends (oh, the irony here!). One such rumor floating around is that these giants produce an inordinate amount of environmental pollutants that poison our water supplies. The truth: this farm, anyway, produces its own electricity and even sells electricity back to the power companies by recycling methane gas from manure. Also, the manure is also dried and recycled as bedding and fertilizer components that actually save money for the farmers and keep our air smelling sweet--no nasty liquid manure air pollution as with older methods employed when larger farms spread the slurry on their fields on warm, breezy days. Can anyone say "cleaner air"?
So, this corporate farm respects the environment and is economically viable. I also learn that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING that is done here for and to the animals here is documented, aiding in a safer food supply for the consumer. Contrast this with the smaller farms, with much less regulation, which can fly under the USDA radar more easily. I have much more to learn, and even though you'll probably not find me squatting at the flank of a cow anytime soon, I will be able to at least breathe the fresher country air, drink my milk with abandon, and sleep better at night knowing that some things in the world are better because of technology. Thanks to Kim, the ag nutritionist who took time from her very important work to share her passion and expertise to help us all understand better what it means to be a farmer in today's world. It was a great field day--got milk? Thank a farmer!
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