Kristina Garfinkel is an activist and Santa Rosa resident who said she treasures Sonoma County’s rural, farm-based culture. Still, for the past year, she’s been one of the lead organizers of an initiative that many say could upend farming in Sonoma County. Measure J is on the ballot for residents of Sonoma County and has caused division in the mostly agricultural and farming based region.
If passed, Measure J would put an end to concentrated animal feeding operations, “CAFOs,” that are often associated with factory farms. The new law would limit the number of animals allowed at dairy farms to 700 or fewer cows and 82,000 or fewer hens at poultry farms. The Yes on Measure J campaign is backed by the Coalition to End Factory Farming, a Sonoma County based group.
Backers like Garfinkel say this first of its kind ballot initiative is needed in Sonoma county to protect smaller farms, the environment and animals. The yes campaign says factory farms harm livestock and cause an excess of animal waste that pollutes waterways. They argue that without large factory farms, smaller farms will prosper instead.
But many farmers say Measure J would potentially destroy the farming industry in Sonoma County. They believe that if larger farms and companies are forced to close or relocate, other agricultural operations will then go out of business. They also claim that Measure J will increase the prices due to limited inventory, thus harming businesses overall.
Many of the farms in Sonoma County are multigenerational; farming is a way of life for this community.
“Sonoma County is an agricultural county, and the coalition to end factory farming is not trying to take that away,” said Garfinkel. “I do think that places like Ryker Duck Farm and Petaluma Poultry, which have hundreds of thousands of animals in them confined in industrial sheds, aren’t at all what people think of when they think about farms in Sonoma County.”
Factory farming isn’t what most people think of when they see Sonoma County. Many of the farms are registered as organic and use cartoons of happy animals in their branding. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District lists 85% of dairy farms in the county as organic. This requires that animals have access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking and direct sunlight.
According to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CAFOs are defined as, “as livestock operations where the animals are confined for at least 45 days in a 12-month period and don’t have access to grass or other vegetation during the normal growing season.” These operations usually raise their animals in confinement with little to no exposure to pastures or fields.
Garfinkel says the Yes on Measure J campaign isn’t trying to harm the industry as a whole; instead they are focused on a few large operations. There are 21 farms in Sonoma County that classify as factory farms according to EPA guidelines.
The Coalition to End Factory Farming has advertised that factory farms harm not only the animals, but also create negative impacts on the environment. Their claims are that factory farms contribute to greenhouse emissions and pollution of waterways from animal waste.
These claims have been dismissed by opponents of the measure, who far outweigh those who support it. The city councils of Sonoma, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Rohnert Park, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Windsor, Santa Rosa and most recently Cotati have voted to oppose Measure J.
At a rally in opposition of Measure J, farmers, political leaders and community members gathered to show their support for farms in Sonoma County. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa) and State Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) were present along with representatives from prominent farms in the area such as Clover Sonoma, Strauss Family Creamery, Petaluma Egg Farm and Weber Family Farms. All of these farms would have to downsize their livestock if Measure J passes.
Opponents claim that Measure J would negatively affect Sonoma County’s economy. Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-Marin and Sonoma) said jobs would be lost and pollution would actually increase.
“Rather than have our food locally sourced, we’re going to have to get it from far away and even out of state or out of country rather than right here in our communities,” said Connolly. “Quite simply, there is absolutely nothing local about Measure J. And members of our community know that our local farmers are doing the right thing.”
An Impact Report commissioned by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in May estimated that if limitations are placed on livestock, there will be a loss of $80 million in wages and 1,381 jobs in Sonoma County. It is believed by opponents that if larger farms close, then feed companies and other businesses in the agricultural field will also close.
Measure J, however, is not requiring the 21 factory farms in Sonoma County to close immediately. The text of the measure allows these farms three years to comply with the new guidelines.
“Many of these farms are actually just barely over the federal limit and could also downsize. So not all 21 farms even have to leave the county. Some could absolutely just downsize and continue operating,” said Garfinkel. “We just don’t see the large economic impact that others are really advertising.”
Supporters of Measure J say they hope that even if the measure doesn’t pass, it will at least spark a conversation for other agricultural regions throughout the country.
A similar measure is on the ballot nearby in the city of Berkeley. Measure DD would prohibit factory farms from operating in the city. This measure is preventive as there are currently no factory farms in Berkeley after the closure of Golden Gate Fields earlier this year. This was a racetrack classified as a CAFO because it housed around 1,200 horses.
The Coalition to End Factory Farming has organized various banner drops across Sonoma County leading up to the election on Nov 5.
Doug Fuller is a former resident of Sonoma County who now identifies as a nomad of California. He was present during a Yes on Measure J banner drop on the overpass of U.S. 101 highway in Santa Rosa.
“I’ve lived here for many years and worked here for many years and I’m here right now because I want to help people raise their voices for this important issue,” said Fuller. “This is also very important for small farmers who can no longer compete with these large facilities that get subsidies and such.”
About 100 supporters of Measure J were present, carrying signs and chanting in English and Spanish as they marched to the overpass. Their presence was met with supportive honks from those driving by as well as obscene hand gestures from others.
Fuller emphasized that while Sonoma County is known for its organic farms, that does not mean farms are treating their animals well.
“Organic does not equate to humane in any way, or environmentally friendly. It does reduce things like pesticides and harmful fertilizers. Organic farms can also exceed what is appropriate for taking care of the environment and taking care of the animals,” said Fuller.
As for Fuller, he is hopeful that the movement to end factory farming spreads across the U.S. and leads to a shift in how we grow and consume our food.