Changes in agriculture—whether it's larger livestock operations or food-grade/organic operations or new ex-city neighbors—are continually changing how rural neighbors relate to one another. And with change comes conflict. Yet, when conflict is handled properly, everyone can learn and grow from the challenges.
Take these examples from Lee Telega, Cornell Extension associate for the Pro-Dairy program, and Shawn Bossard, Cayuga County Extension educator. They interviewed four New York farm operations about their communications within the neighborhood. Ideas from these case studies may help your relations with neighbors.
Dairy farm—650 cows.
Farming since 1958 near town with population of 2,266. Expanded in 1988. Group of neighbors complained about manure odors in 1992. Town forum was called where 100 residents attended, and tone was personal and nasty until supervisors intervened.
No official action was taken, but it opened operators' eyes to how they were perceived by neighbors. To improve communications, the operators:
- Started a newsletter to inform neighbors about what's new with operation and family, nutrient management principles, inspirational stories, recipes and farm contact info.
- Hold open houses, sponsor local community events, host school tours.
- Became conscientious about manure application schedules and practices (work with neighbors).
- Respond to complaints immediately and in person and remain calm.
Dairy farm—750 cows.
Top milk-producing county in state, near town with population of 3,945. Needed to expand manure storage. Worked with Natural Resources Conservation Service and found appropriate site across road from farm.
Network of neighbors opposed site, but zoning board approved farm plan. Neighbors protested and appealed. At zoning board appeals meeting to standing room-only crowd, operator and technical experts explained site reasons.
Four neighbors subsequently sued zoning board and farm. Farm decided to build on alternate site more distant from houses and not visible from public roads—at greater expense for installation and operation. One operator said, "You can't let others run your business, but you want to be a good neighbor too." To improve communications, the operators:
- Inform certain neighbors when spreading manure in nearby fields.
- Sell (or give away) sweet corn, plow snow from driveways, apply manure to neighbors' gardens.
- Build rapport and trust with local press.
- Answer questions, address concerns and act friendly.
Dairy farm—800 cows.
Their tips:
- Be continuously active in the community.
- Take steps to reduce odors (they adopted AerWay system).
- Don't spread manure on weekends and holidays.
- Visit all close neighbors—especially when acquiring new land—to explain practices.
- Hold open houses, school tours, support local fire department and businesses.
- Don't post land so neighbors can hunt your ground.
Swine farm—1,200 sows.
Their tips:
- Distribute annual newsletter in spring.
- Do favors for neighbors—holiday hams, plow snow on driveways, help out with needed tractor work, distribute odor-incident reporting forms.
- Participate in National Pollution Prevention Center environmental audit, add fat to feed to reduce dust, increase cleaning schedule, plant tree buffers to filter odors, compost mortalities, maintain attractive front view of farm.
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Challenging Issues. "Farming communities have changed; farming has changed; and social contracts with businesses have changed," says Cornell's Telega. "Baby boomers have taken a more active role in making sure businesses—which include farmers—show greater responsibility for aspects that impact their lives, such as water quality, food safety and the environment."
Telega's home state of New York is a good backdrop for challenging farmer-neighbor issues. Twenty-million people reside in a state with 37,000 dairy, fruit, vegetable, horticulture, hog, poultry and other livestock farms that cover 25% of the state's land area.
A growing number of farm neighbors are faced with such issues as pollen drift, spray drift, manure odor and application, dust, noise, slow-moving vehicles, migrant labor and much more. And growers may easily get defensive about their right to farm when these issues are brought to their attention.
But, if both sides listen, they often both want the same things—land conservation, water safety, proper livestock treatment, healthy and safe food supply. Both can build an understanding and work to reconcile their differences that lead to win-win situations.
"We encourage the established community of farmers to reach out to all neighbors and be proactive so neighbors know they can easily approach you about their concerns," Telega says.
Eight steps. In a 2003 manual by Cornell Extension educators called "Farms, Communities and Collaboration: A Guide to Solving Farm-Neighbor Conflict" eight steps were outlined that can help lead to productive farmer-neighbor interactions.
1. Farmers provide neighbors with information about the farm (hold an open house; send a newsletter) and how to contact the farm owner with questions and concerns.
2. Neighbors contact the farmer immediately and directly when problems arise and treat the farmer with respect when sharing concerns or asking questions.
3. Farmers and neighbors openly and calmly discuss what constitutes normal and acceptable farming practices.
4. Farmers are mindful of neighbors' concerns and anxieties.
5. Neighbors understand the financial and technical constraints that may affect the farmer's ability to address their concerns.
6. Neighbors respect the economic and social context of farming.
7. All parties seek to compromise on a practice or intended outcome and allow for a reasonable transition period.
8. Farmers and neighbors call upon social and economic supports, including individuals and organizations, which can assist them through a potentially difficult conflict-management process. This may involve facilitation and conflict resolution programs and resources that can assist farmers and neighbors in finding a mutually acceptable resolution of the problem.