Nebraska Communities United (NCU) is a 501-c3 dedicated to protecting water, land and air resources, economic well-being, and a high rural quality of life free from multinational corporate acquisition and factory farming intrusion. NCU supports regenerative methods of agriculture that allow more independent farms and ranches to be profitable, as well as ecologically responsible.
In 2015, the Village of Nickerson, Nebraska was told that a large company would be moving into the area, but residents were not told much more. Soon, locals found out that the company was Costco, and that Costco was proposing to develop the largest poultry processing facility in U.S. history.
The proposed project would also be the first time a retail giant owned the processing sector with former Pilgrim’s Pride reps now operating under a new and more local name of Lincoln Premium Poultry (LPP). The lack of notice and available information troubled the locals, and ultimately the Village of Nickerson voted against the proposed project.
Soon after the neighboring city, Fremont, became the official site of the massive facility. Over 500 production barns would need to be built, forever changing our rural communities and further putting at risk our long tradition of independent family farming.
A coalition, led by Nebraska Communities United, was established to educate Nebraskans about the risks associated with industrial agriculture in the food production. NCU immediately started educating farmers about issues with poultry grower contracts, and those early grower-focused educational activities increased awareness around poultry industry concerns.
As Lincoln Premium Poultry recruited growers in the surrounding counties, more citizens became concerned about the impacts the chicken barns would have on their health and resources.
The formation and engagement of these groups have grown the local opposition against industrial agriculture. The state's aggressive push for large chicken, hog, and cattle concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO's) placement in Nebraska communities threatens every community. This has started a new conversation about opportunities in agriculture that respect and protect our communities and produce greater access to highly nutritious foods, all while being a part of a cultural solution that regenerates our land and water.
Nebraska is under assault from industrial agriculture. Our abundance of water and good soil has made Nebraska a target for industrial agriculture development and expansion. It doesn't have to be that way though. NCU is excited to help inform on and expose historical patterns and real-life risks associated with the placement of industrial agriculture systems, and also to help usher in a new future where family farmer's are in a position to provide solutions to today's biggest issues.
