National and Statewide Advocacy


Unethical Advocacy by UW-Extension Agents
University of Wisconsin-Extension Agriculture Agents have a valuable educational role for Wisconsin's family farmers, whether helping them with runoff control, marketing techniques or general business practices. 

However, lately some Extension Agents have taken on an advocacy role on behalf of factory farms' efforts to obtain state and local permits. This is a clear violation of UW-Extension's policy discouraging Extension Agents from testifying in legal matters unless subpoenaed.    Moreover, it is a misuse of state funds to pay public employees to advocate on behalf of a factory farm that many of you may not want in your community. 

Tell Chancellor Kevin Reilly of the UW-Extension service to stop allowing your Extension Agents to testify on behalf of factory farms at public hearings. You can call him at 608-262-3786, or email him at reilly@admin.uwex.edu, or write to him at

Chancellor Kevin P. Reilly
UW-Extension
432 N. Lake St.
Madison, WI 53706

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MEA’s comments on revised state regulations for CAFO’s, NR 243
Wisconsin is presently in the process of revising its regulations of animal feeding operations to make them more consistent with federal law. Although the changes should have happened long ago, Midwest Environmental Advocates provided supportive comments on those revisions. View the initial comments [NR243_2001.pdf]. View the most recent comments [NR243_2002.pdf].


MEA’s comments on EPA’s proposed revisions to national CAFO regulations
On December 16, 2002, the EPA revised its federal regulations on CAFO's but pulled away proposals that could have substantially improved waters impacted by livestock factories' manure spreading and leaking manure pits. Midwest Environmental Advocates commented on those changes. View MEA's comments [CAFO.pdf].

MEA’s comments on Wisconsin’s Family Farm Protection Act, SB 445
A coalition of small family farmers, faith-based organizations, environmentalists, and other citizens proposed the Family Farm Protection Act. The FFPA presses for increased market access for small dairy producers in Wisconsin, environmentally sustainable dairying practices, and better enforcement of our environmental laws against those mega-livestock operations that pollute our air and water. MEA provided supportive comments to the proposed legislation. View the comments [FFPA.pdf].


MEA’s comments on Wisconsin’s Revised Nonpoint Rules, NR 151
MEA is a member of the Clean Water Coalition, an organization of Wisconsin environmental groups that have pressed for a stronger clean water program in this state. Although at one point the DNR had proposed to require stream-side vegetative buffers on agricultural lands, the DNR has since removed the requirement from the proposed rules. This is in spite of the fact that stream-side buffers can be a cost-effective and reliable method for preventing polluted runoff from entering our waters. View MEA's comments to the state senate [NR151_sen.pdf]. View MEA's comments to the state assembly [NR151_asm.pdf].

The DNR and DATCP finalized the nonpoint rules, which took effect on October 1, 2002. To view a synopsis of the DNR's new nonpoint rules, you can visit the DNR's website: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/nps/pdf/GeneralRulesPub.pdf