Rozier, A. (2022, July 15). Avenging his cattle’s death, Mississippi farmer discovers a pollution loophole. Mississippi Today. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://mississippitoday.org/2022/07/13/cattle-death-farmer-discovers-pollution-loophole/ 

A farmer in Mississippi named John Nowlin filed a lawsuit against Jimmy Sander, Inc., in 2014, for pollution of chemicals, such as ammonia, which killed his cows and buffalo. Sanders’ company had faced criticism for their history of environmental pollution in the past, but remained adamant that they weren’t responsible for the animals deaths. The Clean Water Act allowed Jimmy Sanders Inc., to pollute waste in fresh bodies of water, like the one located next to Mr. Nowlin’s farm in Ecru, Mississippi. While Sanders’ permit has been altered, the damage of ammonia poisoning has left Mr. Nowlin’s livestock permanently depleted. 

It is crucial in a time where big business puts a higher value of profit and cheapness over care and respect towards the environment, that local agrarians need to step up and have their voices heard. Mr. Nowlin’s complaint hits hard as it’s not a new one, but rather another instance in which big corporations take advantage of local wildscapes and abuse it till it’s sucked dry for profit. We must stand with farmers such as John Nowlin, as their criticism affects all of us. The sustainability of his farm shouldn’t just be defended because it is his mode of income, but also since it affects everyone who now has limited access to tainted and poisoned meat. We must make a collective effort to protest and boycott businesses like John Nowlin and also revise certain bills like the Clean Water Act, as to prevent any other instance of poisoning, maltreatment of animals, and abuse of power to permanently cease.