Factory farmers transitioning out of industrial agriculture report better quality of life, despite the economic and physical tolls of the work.
Cara Buckley reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Factory farming often traps farmers in financial distress, with median net revenue for poultry farmers under $10,000 annually.
- Many farmers are leaving industrial livestock for alternative ventures like mushroom or vegetable farming, leading to improved well-being.
- Consumers can help shift the food system by choosing plant-based options and supporting sustainable practices.
Key quote:
“I came to view factory farming as a cancer on rural America. I hated how it robbed people of their humanity and reduced them down to a number, to a widget, to a cog.”
— Tyler Whitley, director of the Transfarmation Project
Why this matters:
Factory farming harms animals and the environment and exploits farmers, leaving them financially and emotionally drained. Supporting sustainable agriculture can improve rural livelihoods and reduce environmental impact.
