WHO: Minnesotans Fighting for Minnesota

WHAT: Community education event on industrial swine production and community impacts

WHERE: Sheila’s Place, 17866 County Road 18 NE, Eagle Bend (218) 943-5330 (link to       directions)

WHEN:  Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 11a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.

WHY:  Experts will discuss health and community impacts of large scale swine production due to a recent proposal of a 3,990 head swine facility in Todd County, Minnesota.

Expert Speakers

CHRIS PETERSON: Iowa sustainable swine producer; Representative, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project; Board Member, Organization for Competitive Markets, and past President, Iowa Farmer’s Union

KAREN HUDSON: Illinois farmer; Representative, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project and Co-founder, Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water.

BILL WENZIL: Isaac Walton League

CHRISTING COUGHLIN: Minnesota Voters for Animals

An industrial factory hog facility that will house nearly 3,990 swine is under construction at the corner of Todd County 1 & 65 Leslie Township, in Todd County Minnesota.  The proposal is of great concern to the local community, experts, and environmental and public health advocates.  Local area residents are concerned that the operation will destroy their quality of life and the surrounding environment. Large-scale industrial livestock operations and waste application sites routinely release bacteria and hundreds of toxic pollutants into the environment.  Research indicates that neighboring residents are susceptible to illness from such pollution.  The community is also concerned about the history of factory farms causing property value decline and likely health impacts from dangerous gases, odors and particulates, as well as polluting impacts to the immediate wetlands, drinking water, tourism, and popular recreational waters in the area.