Home
2025 Legislative Toolkit
News & Events
Donate
About
Heartland Stories
Factory Farm Map
Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network
Home
2025 Legislative Toolkit
News & Events
Donate
About
Heartland Stories
Factory Farm Map
More
  • Home
  • 2025 Legislative Toolkit
  • News & Events
  • Donate
  • About
  • Heartland Stories
  • Factory Farm Map
Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network
  • Home
  • 2025 Legislative Toolkit
  • News & Events
  • Donate
  • About
  • Heartland Stories
  • Factory Farm Map

In The News

Big Ag Wins, Rural Wisconsin Loses on Federal Tax Law

Pierce County Residents Push Back on Mega-Dairy Expansion

Big Ag Wins, Rural Wisconsin Loses on Federal Tax Law

Biogas in Denmark, WI

9.16.25 Press Release

Two Wisconsin biogas deals have run into major financial distress. Their troubles mount, even as the recently passed federal tax law expands support for Renewable Natural Gas projects linked to large livestock operations. Deals like these raise questions about investor stability and the future of factory farm-driven biogas development in rural Wisconsin.

$42 million Mega-Dairy Factory Farm Gas Deal Defaults

Pierce County Residents Push Back on Mega-Dairy Expansion

Big Ag Wins, Rural Wisconsin Loses on Federal Tax Law

6.11.25 Press Release

It may be impossible to figure out how mega-dairy owner Robert Zahn got the tiny Town of Gillett, Wi to finance a factory farm gas deal with an Australian finance giant for $41,585,000. But according to a June 2 securities filing, first reported by Bloomberg Law, the deal's now in default and investors are looking for a $1.7 million principal payment.

Pierce County Residents Push Back on Mega-Dairy Expansion

Pierce County Residents Push Back on Mega-Dairy Expansion

Coming to Your Town Soon: Livestock Factories Cash in on California Tax Credits

6.4.25 - Andrew Harrington - Pierce County Journal 

Area residents gathered in Bay City to hear from GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) leaders on the contested Ridge Breeze Dairy expansion permit’s status and the latest news with the previously pondered $18 million public bond to fund it."

Coming to Your Town Soon: Livestock Factories Cash in on California Tax Credits

Coming to Your Town Soon: Livestock Factories Cash in on California Tax Credits

Coming to Your Town Soon: Livestock Factories Cash in on California Tax Credits

4.19.25 - Evan Halper & Samuel Oakford, Washington Post

Small farmers, environmental advocates and scholars in Missouri and elsewhere say California’s Tax credits perpetuate noxious, environmentally hazardous and agriculturally unsound practices in other states. Wisconsin Mega-Dairies are using the tax credits to finance giant expansions.

WI Farm Bureau Balks at Local Protections for Health and Property

Coming to Your Town Soon: Livestock Factories Cash in on California Tax Credits

Pierce County Chair Approves Finance Deal for Mega-Dairy Expansion

4.2.25 - Midwest Farm Report

WI Farm Bureau wants the whole state to be a sacrifice zone for mega-livestock factories. Towns passing ordinances in Western Wisconsin are facing a mega-dairy proposal for up to 7,800 cows spreading more than 80 million gallons of waste in three counites and 17 towns.  State regulations don't cover air pollution, biosecurity, mass mortalities or road damage.

Pierce County Chair Approves Finance Deal for Mega-Dairy Expansion

Coming to Your Town Soon: Livestock Factories Cash in on California Tax Credits

Pierce County Chair Approves Finance Deal for Mega-Dairy Expansion

4.9.25 - Pierce County Journal 

Two dozen bankers and lawyers could receive more than a quarter-million dollars in fees from a proposed $18 million publicly-financed loan for Ridge Breeze's mega-dairy expansion. If Ridge Breeze gets their way, these fees will go to outsiders from Alabama, Missouri, Minnesota and Milwaukee.

Judge Dismisses Challenge Over Local Regulation of Mega-livestock Factories

Judge Dismisses Challenge Over Local Regulation of Mega-livestock Factories

Judge Dismisses Challenge Over Local Regulation of Mega-livestock Factories

1.17.25 - Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio 

A judge has dismissed a Polk County case that challenged a local ordinance regulating large farms. The order comes as more communities have sought local control over concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs.

Events

10/4/25

St. Croix Watershed Clean Food & Water Forum

10am

-

3pm

Camp St. Croix RCU Center, Hudson, WI

Event Details

10/4/25

St. Croix Watershed Clean Food & Water Forum

Be part of an inspiring, community-powered event focused on clean water, healthy food, and sustainable solutions. The St. Croix Watershed Cl...

Event Details

10am

-

3pm

Camp St. Croix RCU Center, Hudson, WI

11/5/25

DNR/Gilbert Farms Public Hearing

10am

-

?

Door County Gala, 1023 Egg Harbor Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Event Details

11/5/25

DNR/Gilbert Farms Public Hearing

The public hearing for the proposed permit for Gilbert Farms Ltd. will be a hybrid format, offering both in-person and virtual options. Regi...

Event Details

10am

-

?

Door County Gala, 1023 Egg Harbor Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235


Copyright © 2025 Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept

DONATE

Big Ag's Madison lobbyists want to outlaw local ordinances that require large livestock operations to address community concerns.


Help us reach our fundraising goal and bring our rural voices to Madison leaders to protect our local ordinances. 

Learn more