[analog31]

In the state where I live, every community within a large region has received an application to build and operate a pig farm with upwards of 10k pigs, plus multiple satellite farms with 999 pigs each. These applications have been traced through murky chains of ownership to one or two businesses, notably Smithfield.

So a "pig farmer next door" is the Peoples Republic of China, and the "farm" is 20000 pigs. Also, every business that proposes moving into the state lobbies the state government for relaxation of environmental regulations, and files lawsuits to challenge regulatory jurisdictions, especially regarding water pollution. The small communities are totally out-lawyered, and out-lobbied.

Look up "the Highland Clearances." That was what happened when someone figured out that sheep were more valuable than people. Now someone has figured out that pigs are.

[thedougd]

https://www.space.com/pig-poop-lagoons-landsat-5-satellite