Jeff and Linda Mitchell moved to the country in western Missouri in 1986. Jeff was a clinical psychologist. He and Linda decided that they wanted to live in the country after their daughter graduated from school. In 1994 they heard that a company was planning on building some hog CAFOs in their area. The Mitchells and their neighbors banded together in an effort to establish county zoning against hog CAFOs. That effort was unsuccessful. The Mitchells have been fighting against and suffering from the CAFOs ever since.
Murphy Farms built and operate a number of CAFOs in the vicinity of the Mitchells’ residence. The closest one to them is D. M. Farms of Rosehill with 5,472 sows & litters; 34,640 gestating sows & boars; 15,952 nursery pigs; and, 10,800 finishing hogs. These hogs generate almost 108 million gallons of waste every year.
Jeff and Linda used to enjoy sitting on their porch in the evening, watching the sunset. They cannot do this any more as a result of the odor that is emitted by the hog CAFO. In nice weather they used to like to open their windows to let fresh air into their home. If they open their windows now their home will end up smelling like hog manure. They have had to restrict their outdoor activities, such as summer-time barbeques, etc. as they never know when the hog stench will roll in. They find it very embarrassing to have to explain to their guests why all of a sudden no one can breathe for the toxic fumes that come from the CAFO.
Their quiet rural home has been invaded by the noise of thousands of hogs squealing, the exhaust fans from the hog buildings, and the increased truck traffic. Instead of living amongst other farms they find themselves neighbors to a full-fledged factory. They find themselves in an unremitting stressful situation with no way to escape.
