Initiatives

Michigan stands at a crossroads. For decades, our agricultural landscape has been shifted away from independent family farms toward an industrial model that prioritizes corporate profit over the health of our communities. We believe a different future is possible.

Protecting Our Pure Michigan Water

Our Great Lakes and inland waterways are Michigan’s greatest treasure. Industrial-scale "factory farms" (CAFOs) produce millions of gallons of untreated waste that can leak into groundwater and run off into our lakes, rivers and streams.

• The Impact: Toxic algal blooms, contaminated well water, and the degradation of our recreational lakes.

• Our Goal: Transitioning to regenerative practices that build healthy soil—which acts as a natural filter—instead of treating our land as a waste disposal site.

Supporting Rural Vitality and Public Health

Thriving rural communities depend on independent farmers who live on and care for the land they work. Industrial consolidation drives out small-scale producers and replaces them with automated, high-confinement facilities.

• The Impact: Declining property values, intense odors that restrict outdoor life, and increased risks of respiratory issues and antibiotic resistance.

• Our Goal: Investing in a diversified food system that keeps wealth in local communities and ensures every Michigander has access to healthy, sustainably raised food.

Advocating for a Humane and Compassionate System

The current industrial model relies on the extreme confinement of sentient animals. This system is not only inhumane but also fragile, leaving our food supply vulnerable to climate shocks and disease.

• The Impact: A loss of transparency in how our food is produced and a departure from the values of stewardship and care.

• Our Goal: A shift toward transparent, high-welfare farming where animals are treated with respect and the "hidden costs" of our food are brought to light.