I keeping looking at the row of maple trees in my neighbor’s yard, hoping for some signs of fall color.

Nothing but green — well, maybe a tinge of yellow. Nonetheless, the view from my porch is a nice one. I live in a rural neighborhood, surrounded by good neighbors. I count myself lucky.

But the view from my porch could easily change. Under different circumstances, I might have to stare at a junk yard, a crowded housing subdivision or a 24-hour convenience store.

Worse yet, to my thinking, a factory farm might move into the neighborhood.

It’s come to the point where living outside the city limits has become quite the gamble. After all, neighbors come and go.

Country dwellers have always been risk-takers. The well might run dry. It takes longer for the fire department to get to the house. And, those septic tanks are expensive to replace. But the risks have always seemed worth the reward of being able to hear the crickets sing or to breathe in the smell of fresh-cut alfalfa. I also like the solitude.

But the more I learn about the way our state determines the standards needed to permit confined animal-feeding operations, the more I worry that in 10 years, my neighbors could be thousands and thousands of chickens.

And, under the current guidelines established by the state, and the lack of regulations in the county where I live, there’s absolutely nothing I can do to prevent something like that from happening.

Gov. Matt Blunt made a quick stop at the Globe a few days ago. His meeting with our editorial board had more the feel of a press conference in which he discussed the last legislative session. With about 10 minutes left for questions, we attempted to prompt discussion on the state’s decision to grant a permit to a chicken CAFO located near Roaring River State Park in Barry County.

Blunt defended the Department of Natural Resources and its director, Doyle Childers. The governor said that if the CAFO met the requirements, there was nothing the state could do but grant the permit. That, he said, was the case at Roaring River.

While Blunt said he would be in favor of strengthening those standards, he made it clear that he felt agribusiness should be regulated by set standards imposed by the state.

I didn’t say it out loud — I didn’t have time — but I thought to myself that those state standards aren’t working out so well for us now. Check out a map of Southwest Missouri. We have become the dumping grounds for you know what. The little dots on the map signifying factory farms are quickly filling in the landscape.

So, what can we do?

I’ve noticed recently that there are a number of individuals who are stepping out with petitions. They write us, and they send copies of those letters to their legislators. The tone of those letters tells me they are tired of being patient.

More local controls — not fewer — would seem to be in line with what we’re hearing from many of our readers.

That being said, I’ll throw out the concept of county zoning. I know, I know. Zoning and planning have been rejected by voters several times in past years. And, as far as I know, there’s no movement afoot to put it on the ballot.

But, in the coming months, we here at the Globe plan to provide you with information about how residents in other counties have fared under planning and zoning. Does it protect state parks, historic sites and other landmarks important to our counties? Does having countywide planning and zoning assure family farmers that land will be protected for agriculture?

And, even if a county has planning and zoning, could CAFOs still move in?

Our editorial board will visit with commissioners and state legislators to see if there is an equitable solution.

I’m among those counting on answers. I have grandchildren who will want to fish and picnic at Roaring River State Park.

And, when they sit on my porch in the years to come, I want them to enjoy the colors of the fall leaves in the neighbor’s yard.

It doesn’t seem like too much to ask.



Carol Stark is editor of The Joplin Globe. Address correspondence to her, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802 or e-mail cstark@joplinglobe.com.