Due to an increased demand for inexpensive meat, confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), also known as factory farms, are rapidly increasing in number around the world. Unfortunately, environmental regulations in the United States have not kept pace with the environmental challenges posed by CAFOs. In many cases new legislation has significantly reduced both health and environmental regulations that might have afforded some protection.
Results/Conclusions
Specific challenges and successes of effective environmental leadership and community engagement are explored through an authentic case study. Explicit examples from planning sessions, public meetings, and sunshine law requests provide the framework for innovative approaches and highlight the value of diverse perspectives. The impact of professional credentials, lapsed licenses, and conflicting expert witnesses in court testimony will also be examined. Collectively the information highlights the need for ethical environmental leaders with diverse perspectives, innovative approaches, an ability to explore issues in a transdisciplinary manner, and a desire to work for positive changes within a challenging political system.