In Spring of 2023, residents around Salem township in found out that a big dairy facility, was moving to more than double in size from under 2000 to more than 5000 cows. That’s when the seeds of this campaign began. 

No matter where we live in the state, we deserve clean water, healthy homes and safe roads. But massive factory farms like these tear up roads, contaminate water, and shut down small farms across the state – using and abusing our rural resources to create wealth for their shareholders and CEOs. That’s why GROWW leaders and residents across western WI are working together to find solutions and create accountability right here. 

Since 2023, when started meeting in a family garage on a sixth-generation farm, we’ve worker with our local county and town boards to put a stop to unchecked expansions like these. We’ve helped WI residents pass town ordinances ensuring they have the tools and oversight to put plans in place to keep residents safe and ensure factory farms cover community costs. We’ve successful ly supported updated Waste Storage Ordinance and won the creation of the new Groundwater Advisory Committee. But this work is far from over.

Together we’re rallying with our Pierce County and WI neighbors to take action to protect our homes and futures here.

The facility that sparked this campaign an example of what’s called a “CAFO” in industry jargon.

A “ Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation,” is a meat, dairy, or egg “facility”, which squeezes as many livestock as possible onto the smallest possible portion of land. Animals are kept and raised in confinement instead of grazing or eating in pastures, fields, or on range lands.

Managing these facility farms isn’t fool proof. Manure and other waste, is liquified to and held in outdoor “lagoons” or “pits” before being pumped and trucked to spread on offsite locations. Unfortunately, leaks, spills, and mismanagement are common problems.