Notes
The “Pig poop lagoon” episode from Future Perfect Podcast. There are huge similarities between the FAA and the Department of Agriculture. Both are tasked with the conflicting mandates of supporting a very large industry while (supposedly) protecting the rights of surrounding communities. This podcast documents the struggles of a North Carolina community that is being overwhelmed by the smell and health effects of nearby hog farms.
Although at first it may provoke a smile, this is quite similar to how airport communities are treated. “Why don’t you move?” But the story is much more complicated. In just a few decades, these farms have grown from what we think of as a traditional farm to mega-businesses with thousands of animals, depositing literally tons of waste into the community every day.