Ballot measure takes aim at large-scale animal farms in California county

In a stretch of Northern California known for scenic shorelines and celebrated vineyards, a battle is brewing over the future of the region’s animal farms. Residents in Sonoma County, which is home to half a million people north of San Francisco, will vote this fall on a ballot measure aimed at putting an end to large-scale contained animal agriculture. Proponents say the move is about the humane treatment of animals, but critics contend it’s a misguided effort that could harm egg farming and dairies in the county. The proposal would require the county to phase out what U.S. federal authorities call concentrated animal feeding operations, or farms where large numbers of animals are kept in a confined setting. The measure is supported by animal rights activists but has also stoked a tremendous backlash, with residents posting massive numbers of signs along roadways, in front yards and on farmland opposing so-called Measure J. Kristina Garfinkel, lead organizer of the Coalition to End Factory Farming, said 21 large-scale farms would be affected by the measure and would be given time to downsize their operations. She said she doesn’t believe in confining tens of thousands of chickens in facilities that provide no access to the outdoors, and argues that these massive operations are actually crowding out small egg and dairy farms and making it hard for them to stay in business. Kathy Cullen, who runs a farm animal sanctuary said she opposes confining animals for any reason. But Cullen said proponents aren’t trying to shut down all farms, but rather asking them to change, and that the measure has helped create more awareness about farm animal welfare. Farmers feel the measure has created awareness, too, about the challenges they face, said Dayna Ghirardelli, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Many local communities oppose the measure in a county that has a long agricultural history and had more than 3,000 farms in 2002, according to national agricultural statistics. This article was provided by The Associated Press.