Vice Mayor Patricia Ferrer-Rivas, left, and Council member Sandra Lowe at the Sonoma City Council meeting in the Council Chambers on First Street West on Wednesday, June 5. Sonoma City Council voted to pass a resolution opposing Measure J on the Nov. 5 ballot during the Sept. 4 City Council meeting. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
EMMA MOLLOY
INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 7, 2024, 1:31PM
Updated 16 hours ago
Sonoma City Council adopted a resolution opposing Measure J on the Nov. 5 ballot, affirming support of agricultural operations and related businesses in Sonoma County during the Sept. 4 City Council meeting.
The resolution passed with a 4-0 vote opposing Measure J, the ballot initiative that seeks to eliminate concentrated animal feeding operations CA(FOs) on county land.
Council members affirmed their support of farms, ranches, and agricultural operations and businesses in Sonoma County by joining other cities in opposing the measure.
Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg and Cloverdale have passed resolutions officially opposing Measure J. Sebastopol will discuss the resolution Sept. 17, and the Windsor Town Council requested its placement on an upcoming agenda.
The City of Cotati was the first in the county to not pass the opposing resolution and voted to take no position on the measure.
Measure J was brought to ballot by the Coalition to End Factory Farming, a group of animal rights supporters, environmentalists and small farmers.
According to its website, the Coalition to End Factory Farming states that throughout Sonoma County are about two dozen CAFOs operating in “near secrecy” that “harm animals, pollute our air and water, and spread disease.”
The coalition argues that these “industrial facilities” are “not in line with the values of Sonoma County residents.”
If passed, the measure would be the first such county ordinance in the country and would phase out existing CAFOs within three years.
Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt spoke in opposition of the measure, highlighting the estimated economic impact it would have on the county.
The request for Sonoma City Council to consider the item came from the Measure J Campaign and Rabbit who was acting in personal capacity of opposing the measure, rather than as Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.
Rabbit said the proposed measure was “misleading as it was initially stated” and a report requested by the Board of Supervisors revealed extensive negative impacts including an estimated economic impact of “$418,299,719 with a loss of 1,381 jobs.”
“I believe our whole county was shaped by agriculture in terms of our urban growth boundaries, our green belts, the working lands that we have outside,” Rabbitt said.
“This is really close to me being from Petaluma and the Petaluma Dairy Belt. There are family farms out there that stretch back six or more generations that will be put out of business,” Rabbitt said.
Council member Sandra Lowe said as officials elected in Sonoma County, it is the council’s job to opine on the issue.
“I’m so proud to live in this county and I’m very proud of the farmers and ranchers that have created this beautiful place that we live in,” Lowe said. “And I urge them to have continued success and I stand 100% by them.”
Community members spoke for and against the resolution during a public hearing.
Lewis Bernier a factory farm investigator from Petaluma said he has investigated these facilities since 2017.
“I can definitively tell you that some of the absolute worst animal cruelty I've ever seen has actually been right here in Sonoma County,” Bernier said.
Vice Mayor Patricia Farrar-Rivas said she believes Measure J is the wrong strategy. She shared her experience as an advocate for the environment and supporter of the organic farm industry.
Faarrar-Rivas funds a cow at Charlie’s Acres, describes herself as “veganish,” and has sat on multiple environmental boards.
“I think that targeting Sonoma is not the target you should be looking at. I certainly believe that large CAFOs are detrimental to health and to the environment, but I do not believe that it’s the appropriate approach in Sonoma County.”
Council member Ron Wellander said he feels strongly that the measure would impact his constituents within the city.
“I, too, know a number of farmers and ranchers in this county,” Wellander said. “And I, too, am overall proud of the fact that Sonoma County’s agriculture is a leader in proper farming.”
You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com.
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