If you are a farmer, or if you know a farmer, you probably know that the #1 topic of discussion lately in the ag community has been Measure J, slated to be voted on in November. The measure’s proponents claim that it aims to help animals, small farms and the environment. Unfortunately the only mechanism for improvement provided in the measure is this: shutting farms down. Some of our best and oldest farms are at risk for closure under this measure.
Measure J’s proponents are relying on a general lack of knowledge about agriculture to conceal their true aim: ending animal agriculture entirely. The group behind Measure J, Direct Action Everywhere (DXE), believes that no one has the right to produce or consume animal products, such as eggs, milk and meat. They see Measure J as one stage in the process of creating a vegan world.
The reality is that there are no factory farms in Sonoma County. All of the 21 farms slated for closure under Measure J are organic or third-party monitored. The only quality that selects them for closure is the size of the operation (more than 200 cows or 9,000 chickens). Non-farmers assume that humane practices can’t be utilized at a larger scale, and that’s just not true. I farm four acres in Sonoma County with under 100 animals, and I use many of the same humane and regenerative practices that larger local farms do.
J’s proponents have said that the closure of large farms will pave the way for the establishment of more small farms, but that’s not likely. If a 300 acre Sonoma County farm property went up for sale, the price would be astronomically high for a new or small farmer, but not for a housing developer. And when people move into those houses, where will they eat from?
Sonoma County already leads the nation in ecological and humane farming practices, and the established producers at risk helped blaze that trail for the rest of us. Straus Creamery, one at-risk producer, was the first certified organic creamery in the country. These at-risk farms are small by state or national standards, but large for Sonoma County, and they are absolutely necessary to keep this county fed. Not only do they supply food to grocery stores and restaurants, their by-products help serve the entire local agricultural community, so that small farms can also contribute to our wonderful local food supply chain.
Let’s take compost for example. Many non-farmers don’t know how crucial compost is in all agricultural operations. Livestock farmers spread it over their pastures to keep grass healthy and nutritious for their animals, and veggie farmers use it to keep their annual beds producing the local, seasonal vegetables we all love.
One major supplier for many local farms is West Marin Compost (WMC). This organic compost facility began operations in 2011 and produces approximately 20,000 cubic yards of compost and mulch every year. To put this number in perspective, I use about 15 cubic yards of compost annually, on a veggie garden that supports 5+ families. At that rate, WMC produces enough compost for 1,300 veggie gardens, feeding 6,000-7,000 families.
West Marin Compost accepts feedstock (manure and vegetation to be used as ingredients in compost) from local farms; in fact half of all feedstock materials are from local farms and ranches. The WMC facility is situated on-site at Lafranchi Dairy, its sole cow dairy supplier of manure. If Measure J were to be passed in Marin County, the dairy and the compost facility would both likely close, leaving customers to find their compost from a facility farther away, at a higher cost.
Dr. Jeffrey Creque, one of WMC’s founders, says, “Closure of [Sonoma County] dairies would primarily impact WMC on the sales side; while also undermining the integrity of our local ag infrastructure.” Dr. Creque is referring to what many local ag experts fear: the collapse of our local agricultural economy. Sonoma County’s farms are interconnected in ways that many people may not be aware of. Tool sharing, cooperative equipment ownership, community grazing and distribution of byproducts (like unsold veggies or manure for compost) are all ways that the closure of one farm could affect many others.
Vegan compost and fertilizer are available, but at a much higher cost. Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery, a popular local chain, sells vegan fertilizer at a cost 3-4 times higher than its top selling non-vegan brand. I see this as a stark reminder that without animals, there is no agriculture. Many people are already feeling that their food budgets are tight, at $80-$100 per week, per person. Imagine if animal agriculture in Sonoma County ended, and every locally grown apple or potato cost 3-4 times as much. Imagine paying $400 per week at the grocery store, for each person in your family. I think in that case, most people would be forced to buy cheap food grown elsewhere, under less desirable conditions.
Now let’s zoom out. Compost is one example of an essential agricultural product that would become harder to get and/or more expensive if J passed. Large animal vets, feed mills and other agricultural products and services would also be at risk. Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board estimates a negative impact of nearly $300 million under Measure J. It would cripple our local economy and put trusted farmers out of business.
Before you vote on Measure J in November, please talk to a local farmer. Many of them are open to visitors, and questions about their practices. Our robust local food scene is one of the best parts of living in Sonoma County, and we can’t have local food without local farmers.
Sources:
https://www.endfactoryfarming.vote/
https://www.directactioneverywhere.com/core-values (See: roadmap)
