GROWW is a community-driven organization, and we believe that people have the power to become leaders and create the change we need in our towns, counties, and state. Residents of Western Wisconsin know what is best for our communities. That’s why we are proud to stand with the residents of Salem Township and surrounding areas to stop the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy CAFO.

What exactly is a CAFO?

A CAFO is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation. According to the Wisconsin DNR, a CAFO is a farming operation that has reached 1000 or more animal units. Animal units (AU) measure equivalencies between animal types as established by s. NR 243.05, Wis. Adm. Code and the CAFO WPDEpermit program. For example, 1,000 beef cattle, 715 milking cows, or 200,000 chickens are equivalent to 1,000 AU.

History of the Ridge Breeze Dairy CAFO

Currently, the Ridge Breeze Dairy in northeast Salem Township operates a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows. Based on verbal discussions with several Ridge Breeze Dairy staff, they are looking over several options for modifying this operation, including a significant expansion of the herd (possibly to 5,000 – 6,000 milking cows), the addition of a manure digester, and a significantly larger waste-storage facility, making it one of the largest, if not-the-largest, CAFO operations ever in all of Pierce County. This is an evolving situation; nothing has officially been communicated from Ridge Breeze Dairy. While nothing is on paper at this time, Ridge Breeze Dairy is actively evaluating its options for this newly purchased operation.

Ridge Breeze Impacts on Pierce County Residents

A herd increase like this could have significant impacts on Pierce County roads, land, water, air quality, and tourism. This would especially impact rural Salem township, and the immediately adjacent townships of Union, Rock Elm, and El Paso. Changes could also impact land valuations, our family farms, our families, and the rural American life currently enjoyed by the residents of Pierce County. There is also a concern for the safety and quality of nearby Rush River, Lake Pepin, Nugget Lake, and Plum Creek.

What Can We Do About It?

The goal right now is to ask the county to enact a 12-Month CAFO Moratorium, effectively putting a halt to any expansions until effective operative ordinances and bonding policies are put in place. These ordinances would be intended to manage CAFO-related waste storage, pollution including spills, township/county roads, and area wells/water availability and quality. We are working with the residents of Salem Township and the surrounding areas to bring together their neighbors. If you live in Pierce County and are interested in helping out, you can contact us here.

No matter where you are, you can share and sign the petition to enact the moratorium here.