Wilson Hosts Forum on Factory Farms Jan. 30

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Jan. 13, 2016

Chambersburg, Pa. — As part of its FRESH (Finding Responsible Eating Strategies for Health) series, the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living at Wilson College will host The Factory Farm Forum: Concerns About Industrial Animal Production in Our Communities from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in the Brooks Science Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Increasingly, today’s agricultural operations are “food factories” where animals spend their short lives in cramped cages tended by workers in biohazard suits. “The family farm with animals peacefully grazing in sunlit pastures has almost become a thing of the past,” said FCSL Director Chris Mayer.

Concerns are growing about the environmental and health impacts of factory farms: massive amounts of antibiotic-laden manure piles up in pits, threatening water supplies; and air emissions from high-density livestock facilities may have harmful effects on human health.

The forum will provide a venue for discussion about the environmental, health and property value concerns of local residents living with confined animal feeding operations nearby. In addition, those attending will learn how they can support another way forward, a move “back to the future” of wholesome, sustainable agriculture, Mayer said.

Topics and speakers for the day include:

• The Impact of CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) on the Environment, Workers, Our Communities and Animals — Maria Payens of the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project and Brent Kim, program officer for the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
• Community Experiences with Industrial Agriculture — Marjorie Hudson on swine CAFOs in Fulton County; and Connie and David Slye discussing a chicken CAFO in Franklin
• Two Approaches to Egg Production in Franklin County — Leslie Bowman of Lesher Egg Farm and Troy Hubers of Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs.
• Factory Farms, Democracy and Local Government Power — Chad Nicholson of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund
• Harnessing Tax and Other Policy Incentives to Encourage Sustainable Agriculture — Alanna Hartzok of the Earth Rights Institute
• Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Eating — Judy Scriptunas of Wilson’s Robyn Van En Center and Patti Nitterhouse representing the local Healthy Eating Adventures.

Following an open microphone session from 4:30 to 5 p.m., the forum will conclude with a brief discussion of next steps. Visit http://www.wilson.edu/factory-farm-forum-resources for a complete schedule.

Vendor and display tables for businesses/organizations are available for the forum at no cost. For information, contact Mayer at 717-264-4141, Ext. 3247, or christine.mayer@wilson.edu.

Those attending the forum must register at https://eventbrite.com/e/the-factory-farm-forum-concerns-about-industrial-animal-production-in-our-communities-tickets-19410487290.

MEDIA CONTACT:       
Chris Mayer, Fulton Center for Sustainable Living Director
Phone: 717-264-4141, Ext. 3247
Email: christine.mayer@wilson.edu

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Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 29 majors and master’s degrees in education, the humanities, accountancy, nursing, fine arts and healthcare management for sustainability. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.

Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college had a fall 2015 enrollment of 923, which includes students from 22 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.