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Advocacy Group Plans to Fight Mega Farms in New Mexico

Food & Water Watch Seeks Moratorium on Factory Farms in the Land of Enchantment

New Mexico’s agricultural landscape is shifting rapidly, and an advocacy group is stepping in to challenge a trend that’s been gaining momentum for the past two decades. Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental protection, is sounding the alarm about the rise of mega farms, or factory farms, in the state. The group argues that these large-scale operations are a serious threat to the environment, public health, and the well-being of rural communities.

Over the past 20 years, New Mexico has seen a dramatic loss of family-scale dairy farms, with half of them disappearing in favor of mega farms. According to Food & Water Watch, this shift is harmful to New Mexico’s air, land, and water quality. The group is now calling for a moratorium on the expansion of factory farms, specifically mega dairies, which they say contribute to hazardous air pollution and other environmental issues.

The issue is complex and multi-faceted, but one of the main concerns raised by Food & Water Watch is the sheer volume of manure generated by these operations. These mega dairies, which typically house over 500 head of cattle, produce a staggering amount of waste—enough to fill nine Olympic swimming pools with manure every single day. For context, that’s about 11 times the amount of sewage produced by the Albuquerque metropolitan area. This waste isn’t just a nuisance; it can contaminate the air, water, and soil, posing serious risks to both human health and the environment.

Holstein cows dairy factory farm

Environmental and Health Risks: Factory Farms and Pollution

The environmental impact of factory farms is well-documented, with manure and wastewater from these facilities often creating hazardous outdoor air pollution. According to the National Cancer Institute, the pollutants generated by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can contribute to respiratory issues and other health problems. The smell, which can be overpowering, is often a clear indicator of the pollution caused by these operations. Emily Tucker, a New Mexico organizer for Food & Water Watch, recalled a flyover of a factory farm, where the stench was so strong that it could be smelled from 6,500 feet in the air.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” Tucker said. “The smell was just really, really eye-opening, and it highlighted the scale of the problem we’re dealing with. These facilities aren’t just affecting the immediate area—they’re impacting whole communities.”

Frontline communities, especially those that are low-income or predominantly people of color, are bearing the brunt of these environmental and health risks. Food & Water Watch argues that these groups are most vulnerable to the negative impacts of factory farms, and they are calling for stronger protections for these communities.

The Debate Over Methane Digesters: A Climate Solution or a False Hope?

The factory farm industry has sought to counter some of these criticisms by implementing methane digesters—devices that capture methane, a potent greenhouse gas, produced by the cows and their waste. The industry touts these digesters as a solution to climate change, suggesting that the captured methane can be used as a fuel source. However, many environmental groups, including Food & Water Watch, are skeptical of this claim.

Tucker is among those who believe that methane digesters are not a workable solution to the environmental issues posed by mega dairies. “These digesters don’t really solve the problem. They’re just a temporary fix that allows the industry to continue its harmful practices without addressing the core issues,” she explained.

In fact, critics argue that the methane digester system merely creates a “greenwashing” effect—allowing the industry to claim climate-friendly credentials while continuing to pollute the air, water, and land. The real solution, according to Food & Water Watch, is to reduce the number of factory farms and shift toward more sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize environmental health and the well-being of communities.

Clean Transportation Fuel Standards and Carbon Trading

In addition to advocating for a moratorium on new factory farms, Food & Water Watch is also pushing for changes to New Mexico’s Clean Transportation Fuel Standard. The standard, which passed in the last legislative session, created a statewide “carbon intensity” rating for transportation fuels. While many Democrats championed the bill as a step toward cleaner energy, Tucker and her colleagues argue that it doesn’t go far enough.

“We really do oppose programs like these,” Tucker said. “What they’re doing is allowing polluters to continue to pollute without holding them accountable. It’s essentially an industry carbon trading scheme that doesn’t actually address the root causes of pollution.”

Food & Water Watch plans to introduce a new bill in the upcoming legislative session aimed at amending the Clean Transportation Fuel Standard. The goal is to ensure that the state’s efforts to combat climate change are more effective and truly address the industries that are causing the most harm to the environment.

The Road Ahead: Fighting for Change

As New Mexico grapples with the growing influence of mega farms, the fight is far from over. Advocacy groups like Food & Water Watch are committed to pushing for systemic changes that will protect communities and the environment from the damaging effects of factory farms. Whether through a moratorium on new operations, stricter environmental regulations, or policy changes in the transportation sector, the organization is determined to make a stand.

The road ahead may be challenging, but with continued advocacy and grassroots support, change is possible. New Mexico’s rural communities deserve a future where sustainable farming practices are prioritized over the interests of powerful industrial farms.

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