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CAFOs – Economics, emotion and passion (14:20)
February 4, 2009

First, let’s take a look at the money or economic side of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations – known as CAFOs.

Several state governors promote CAFOs as a rural economic development tool. But are they?

I set out to find an answer to a simple question. That simple question is:

“Are CAFOs economically beneficial?”

The answer, I learned, is equally simple: “NO”. Read entire script...

CAFOs and Economic Development (5:40)
September 4, 2008

CAFOs and Economic DevelopmentSeveral state governors, state colleges and universities, and the US Department of Agriculture promote Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) as a rural economic development tool. But are they?

I set out to find an answer to a simple question: “Are CAFOs economically beneficial?”

The answer, I learned, is equally simple: “NO”. Read entire script...

Global Warming 101 (7:43)
March 30, 2008

A caveat: I am not a scientist. But, I have researched and read enough and wish to pass along my findings. I call this piece: Global Warming 101

A very thin layer in the earth’s upper atmosphere – just down from the stratosphere – keeps our planet’s temperature in check and enables us and other living things (plants and animals) to live. Every thing on this planet has become adapted to the temperature regime.

The temperature of this planet – due to tilting, rotation and other factors relative to the amount and angle of sunshine – does vary considerably. Along the equator, the average temperature is quite high. But, even along the earth’s warmest latitude there is variation ranging from the very wet tropics to very dry deserts. Progressing north and south from the Equatorial Zone, the temperature falls gradually. The coldest spots year around are at the north and south polar regions: The Arctic and Antarctic. Read entire script...

Fantasy vs. Reality  (6:34)
February 6, 2008

You’ve seen those pleasant photos of cows frolicking in a green pasture surrounded by shade trees, pigs wallowing in cool mud, a rooster crowing on a rail fence, or salmon jumping in a pristine stream. While such pastoral scenes are depicted on packages, cartons and labels of meat, milk, and eggs, unfortunately those are completely bogus…just so much hype by multi-national corporations posing as “family farmers”. Read entire script...

Repetition of a Lie (8:17)
December 19, 2007

Fresh country air? Well, no. Not since concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have been popping up like fetid mushrooms all over my state - the state of Missouri – and in many other states across the country. Instead of mowed fields, freshly-turned earth and the pleasant smell of cows on a pasture resulting in sighs of contentment, all too often the odiferous country air stimulates gagging and retching. Read entire script...

Feeding at the public trough  (6:34)
November 21, 2007

This is Ken Midkiff – supporting family farmers, opposing corporate agribusiness. I call this piece: Feeding at the public trough.

It seems that some folks just don’t get it.

It is NOT necessary to confine chickens, hogs or cows by the thousands or millions in order to provide milk, meat, and eggs to meet the current demand. Read entire script...

CAFOs: Air and Water Pollution (9:28)
October 28, 2007