Production Agriculture - A Nuisance?

"We're not ready to accept, just yet, that American families would prefer to import the meat that they serve on their dinner tables each night, rather than have it grown right here in America on our own family farms."  This quote comes from Kyle Broshears.  

Kyle and his wife, Leah, are residents of Jackson County in Southeastern Indiana.  In 2014, they applied for a permit to construct a swine finishing barn on Leah's family's farm.  They then received unanimous approval from the county Plan Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals.  They also met with all neighbors within at least a mile and a half area of the farm.  They felt that things were going well until something changed.  There was a lawsuit filed by disgruntled homeowners in the area.  They were claiming that this construction would be a nuisance.  

At what point are we allowing those who know nothing about production agriculture to dictate how we farm?  When does it stop?  I completely understand the desire to move to the country because it is serene, away from the bustle of town, and the like.  That being said, it's not just some pretty "place" people go.  Those nice fields?  That's someone's office.  We have equipment that will run, we harvest, plant, work ground, spread manure, and spray.  

Yes, that's loud.  Yes, it smells sometimes.  Yes, it's dusty.  Yes, that's unfortunate.

But, it's also beautiful.

What does that do for us though?  It makes an economy run.  It creates jobs.  It delivers delicious bacon, milk, steak, and poultry products to your table (among other things).  I opened with a quote with which I strongly agree.  American consumers are demanding healthy, wholesome, high quality food, and they want it raised in America.  I'm trying to understand what consumers expect us to do.  We try to deliver them food raised here, and are called a nuisance.  We try to grow crops to fill your gas tanks, feed livestock, stock your refrigerator, and produce thousands of other products.  We do it for you.  We don't intend to be a nuisance, we are trying to do a job.

Here you can find the Broshears' video, explaining what they're going through, and what they are seeing in this process.  You can also make a donation to help them cover the lofty legal expenses.

Yours in Agriculture,

Samuel

You can follow along on my social media sites, and send any of your questions to 

lifeofafuturefarmer@yahoo.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

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Disclaimer: All comments and thoughts expressed here are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of my employer.