The St. Croix County Community Development Committee meeting on June 19, 2025, spotlighted significant concerns regarding landowner rights and environmental impacts tied to the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy. Danny Atkinson, a field organizer for Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROW), presented alarming findings about how landowners in Pierce County have been misrepresented in nutrient management plans (NMPs) related to the dairy's operations.

Atkinson detailed instances where landowners discovered their properties listed for manure spreading without their consent. He recounted a troubling trend where the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) initially required signed agreements from landowners to validate claims made in NMPs but later relaxed these requirements, allowing affidavits instead. This shift has led to further complications, as two landowners recently reported that their names were included in affidavits without their permission.

The committee heard that Ridge Breeze's expansion, which has drawn public scrutiny, was approved despite these ongoing issues. Atkinson emphasized that the current regulatory framework, which permits operations like Ridge Breeze to function without owning or farming the land, poses risks to landowners and the environment. He warned that reliance on informal agreements could lead to significant liability issues, particularly in the event of environmental mishaps.

The meeting underscored a growing call for stricter regulations and accountability in the management of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Wisconsin. As the number of CAFOs increases, the need for robust protections for landowners and the environment becomes ever more critical. The committee's discussions signal a pivotal moment for community advocacy and regulatory reform in the face of corporate agricultural expansion.