Summary
This article examines the effects of intensive hog farming on communities, with a focus on Iowa. It details findings from a report published by Food and Water Watch, which analyzed data from census questionnaires, the US Department of Agriculture and other sources. Some of the findings reported in this article include that Iowa hog production has significantly increased since 1982, which has seen a simultaneous 90% decrease in the number of hog farms and a 20-fold increase in the number hogs marketed per farm. Accompanying this consolidation and growth has been a loss of retail business, fewer grocery stores, a declining population, and higher unemployment. This article also mentions current national and state legislation targeting the expansion of concentrated animal feeding operations. Note: this article was supported by the 11th Hour Project.