THE PIG FARM: "SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE" OR "AN ABOMINATION'?
Katherine Griffithhe pig farm conflict in Monteverde in the early
1990s had several underlying causes. During
the first year, improper mixing of wastes in the
lagoons resulted in an overwhelming stench emanat-
ing from the operation (Fig. 11.6). Although most
people agreed that this problem was largely solved
when the lagoons functioned properly, this initial
mistake cost the dairy plant support and trust. An-
other problem was the noise of pigs squealing. When
a swine disease dramatically reduced pork sales na-
tionwide, the dairy plant's facility, built for 1800
animals, was crammed with as many as 2300 pigs,
increasing animal stress and noise levels. The dairy
plant, in its efforts to "sell" the idea to the commu-
nity, had claimed that the farm would be noise- and
odor-free. Some residents felt deceived and thought
the measures the dairy plant took (reforestation, en-
closing the buildings, and changing some manage-
ment practices) did not constitute a good faith effort
to solve the problem. The dairy plant felt that many
of the farm's opponents did not appreciate the envi-
ronmental significance of the whey and wastewater
treatment or the financial constraints under which the
operation must function.
A fundamental question concerns the place of agri-
culture in human activities in general, and a large
commercial hog operation in Monteverde in particu-
lar. This conflict involves a vision of appropriate local
land use: what constitutes a "good" way to make a
living, and what is an acceptable price to pay for agri-
cultural development? Asked in 1995 whether the pig
farm was sustainable agriculture, community resi-
dents gave the following answers:
"Definitely. As a treatment system, it gives us 96%
purification (of wastes), and the income guaran-
tees that it can continue to function." (dairy plant
employee)
"Steady permanent cacophonic scream of 2000
stressed pigs in captivity is an abomination in the
soundscape of Monteverde." (Artist)
"It was started because of the whey problem. It was
a response to a necessity. They've worked hard to
make it work better. ... As long as the animals are well
and healthy, it's okay." (dairy farmer/artisan)
"The pig farm's great. It's a pretty closed system;
they've done a good job." (farmer/biologist)
"I see they use standard procedure [for raising
pigs], but I question the standard procedure. It's cruel
to put animals in such a small place. That's what you
have to do to be competitive. Is it worth it?" (teacher)
"I like the pig farm because it identifies that end
of the community as agricultural. Maybe it'll keep
tourist development out!" (dairy farmer)
"It's so inappropriate. It's a residential community
and they put this huge commercial pig farm in it. It
just doesn't belong." (artist)
"Feeding whey and other kitchen wastes to pigs
is something that has been done in this zone since
before the Quakers arrived.... The problem with
the pig farm is scale. ... I think that the dairy plant
is really trying to be ecologically and socially re-
sponsible.... The difficulty is that the dairy plant
is competing against Borden, and Borden is not
responsible to any local community because it does
not have a local community. Sustainability will only
be realized when companies like Borden have to
be socially and ecologically responsible. People
who are living off outside [U.S.] investments rather
than farming are not any less damaging to the en-
vironment, even though they don't directly see and
feel the damage done by their economic activities."
(homemaker)
"It'll drive tourists away." (hotel owner)
"We're proud of our pig farm and we're offering a
tour because we think tourists will be interested."
(dairy plant employee)Thus, people view the issue of sustainability through
different lenses. Some see the farm from a biological
systems standpoint or the financial bottom line and
describe it as sustainable. Others look at animal wel-
fare, farm size and social justice, compatibility with
tourism (for some, a preferred form of economic de-
velopment), and lifestyle issues; they have minor
doubts or major objections.415 Agriculture in Monteverde: Moving Toward SustainabilityR