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July 29, 1998
Contact: Connie McElrone
(608)280-0360

Wisconsin Environmental Initiative Receives Grant To Convene Stakeholders On Agricultural Livestock Expansion
(Madison, WI) – Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (WEI) has received a $25,313 grant from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to present "Livestock Expansion and Wisconsin’s Future," a conference series to study the issue of livestock expansion.

The program, to be held this fall, will bring together stakeholders from all sides of the debate and objectively examine issues surrounding livestock expansion. The conference goal is to achieve mutual understanding and reach consensus on how to grow the industry while protecting Wisconsin’s environment and quality of rural life.

"Wisconsin’s environment and livestock farming community can prosper together," said John Imes, Executive Director of WEI. "By learning together and producing workable solutions, we can avoid the serious environmental problems and conflicts experienced in other states. This program will foster outcomes which promote a profitable and sustainable livestock farming community, while preserving and protecting Wisconsin’s environment."

WEI will take a two-step approach to achieving consensus-based recommendations on Wisconsin’s livestock industry. The first will be to present a comprehensive informational conference that addresses: the environmental and economic framework for livestock expansion, regulation and enforcement, local issues including zoning and odor, and a review of case studies illustrating the pros and cons of expansions of all types and sizes. The second step will be to facilitate local working group discussions throughout the state with a goal of reaching consensus on acceptable standards for expansion and recommendations that will minimize conflicts.

A Summary Report of the information presented at "Livestock and Wisconsin’s Future" sessions will be compiled. The report will be distributed to program participants and other interested parties. A special effort will be made to distribute the free publication to local governments and farm organizations. WEI’s intent is that the Summary Report be used by stakeholders to create programs and policies that will protect Wisconsin’s environment and livestock farming community.

For more information contact John Imes, WEI Executive Director, at (608)280-0360.

 

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