Community and Economy by sustainabletable.org
This article focuses on the negative effects of large scale farming on economy. Large farms replace smaller, local farms thus creating an economic downturn.
JOB ACCESS
Factory farms promise the creation of more jobs, when actually they do not create more opportunities for the average farmer/rural worker. These farms claim there will be influx of jobs entering community; however, the pay is so low that the work is more of a pay cut. As a result, factory farms end up outsourcing jobs to Mexico and South America.
LOCAL BUSINESS
Local farmers are losing control of way they farm and the prices they can ask for due contract growing imposed by corporate farms. Most farmers don't own animals they raise and are required to buy feed from the same companies that own their animals. As corporate farms get bigger, smaller farms can't compete and eventually disappear.
PROPERTY TAX & REVENUE
Property values are often negatively affected by large-scale livestock production. Its effect on tax revenue is also negative. The reason for this is that many industrial farms receive large tax breaks, abatements, and exceptions contributing little to local revenue.
I particularly liked the sustainabletable.org because their articles use lots of references. This means that they are supporting their claims and arguments with solid facts. Their facts support that there is an obvious issue that should be addressed. I like this article because it really depicts the economic consequences of industrial farms.Industrial farms are focused on economic gain and because of that the economic gain of local community is lost. The local community has to suffer in order to have "efficient" large scale production. This is one of the reasons why should support local farms. Also, the livelihoods of local farmers is taken away from them and destroyed. Given the entire US economy as it is now, we as a society should look for ways to improve everyone's lot in life not just our own.
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