Galena/Jo Daviess IL Area to be Polluted by Dairy Manure

[yellowwood]

Anybody who knows about the Northwestern corner of Illinois knows it to be one of the most beautiful areas of the state. A huge draw for tourists. A megadairy farm from California wants to relocate there because it is running out of good water. So Jo Daviess County can share the misery.
Now they want to encourage more megadairy farmers to come into Illinois, too.

Group recruits dairymen like Bos
Illinois Milk Producers Association heads to California, hoping to draw more farmers to northwest Illinois
"WARREN, Ill. -- The Illinois Milk Producers Association wants more producers like A.J. Bos in Jo Daviess County, much to the displeasure of the environmental group opposing the California businessman's 4,500-cow dairy plan.
This week, the organization is sending representatives to the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., to recruit more dairymen to the area.
"It's a great opportunity to showcase the benefits of Illinois for livestock producers," said Jim Fraley, manager of the Illinois Milk Producers Association. "These are people that are looking to relocate or establish a new business in a new state, and Illinois has so many good qualities and opportunities"
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=232361

The county board has ruled against it, but the state is overruling their wishes. It's very hard to fight the big money.

[AllyCat]

1. This is going to squelch the tourism dollars into Galena.

That area is so beautiful and so historic. What a shame. People, please think twice about where you buy your milk!

[SpiralHawk]

2. Every dollar you spend on food is a vote

for the way the land (the land your life depends upon) is treated.

Vote for vast industrial animal lots, genetically mutant plants, and chemical fertilizer and runoff, and that's what you get (in your food, soil, and water).

[murielm99]

3. HOMES has been fighting Bos Dairy for years.

So far, they have been able to keep them out. There is supposed to be a further court ruling in a few months.

This is in my Congressional district, but north of me. I went to a fundraiser for a local candidate last summer, and listened to some of the concerns of the local farmers.

Of course, our Congressmen, Manzullo, a republican, does nothing. He is one of the stupidest people in Congress.

The people I spoke with in the Galena area told me that other rich people are trying to buy up large tracts of land in Jo Daviess County. They are trying to buy up whole swathes of land that include fourth generation dairy farms. They want the property because the bottom is going to drop out of everything, and they need be be out of the stock market. They need things like real property if they want to retain their wealth.

Bos and other megafarms are a threat to that area. Thanks for posting something about this.

[yellowwood]

4. HOMES Internet Link

http://hamstercircus.org

Here is the link to article about then-Lt.Governor Pat Quinn's opposition.

http://www.prairie-advocate-news.com/10-29-08/patquinn10_29_08.html

One wonders what went on to cause the Agriculture Department to overrule county board opposition to this under the old governor.

These manure pits would be located only a couple of miles from schools.

We know that we need dairy farms. They should be properly sited and should not be able to damage one of the most beautiful counties in the state.

[AllyCat]

5. Manzullo. Ugh. My mom can't stand him. n/t