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.