Perdue Chicken CAFO in Petaluma

Vote Yes On Measure J

A ban on the cruel, massive-scale confinement of animals in Sonoma County, to be voted on in the November 5th election.

Yes to protect animals

Yes to protect our environment

Yes to protect public health

Yes to protect small farms

Why Prohibit CAFOs?

Sonoma County is well-known for its hundreds of small family farms. But throughout the county, around two dozen Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, also called factory farms, are operating in near secrecy

These industrial facilities harm animals, pollute our air and water, and spread disease. They are not in line with the values of Sonoma County residents.

Measure J would affect just 3% of all animal farms in the county, requiring them to scale down to manageable populations over the next 3 years. Together, we can start the transition away from factory farms and build a better world for all!

Protecting Animal Welfare

Investigations revealed severe and systemic animal welfare issues in Sonoma County’s large poultry, egg and dairy farms. Measure J will prevent this abuse by prohibiting CAFOs.

A hen covered in feces at a Sunrise Farms CAFO in Petaluma

Ducks stuck on their backs, unable to stand up at Reichardt in Petaluma

Baby cows confined in hutches at Mertens Dairy in Sonoma

To learn more about the conditions in factory farms, check out our FAQ. For exact number limits imposed by this measure, see the impact report or measure text.

Explore Sonoma County CAFOs

Protecting the environment

CAFOs pollute local rivers and streams, threatening aquatic ecosystems, and emit greenhouse gasses at odds with Sonoma County's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030.

Manure lagoons at Deer Valley Dairy CAFO in Petaluma

Manure lagoon the size of two football fields at Mertens Dairy in Sonoma

Petaluma Egg Farm CAFO, Petaluma

Explore the environmental impact

Protecting public health

CAFOs emit toxic gases and particles that can cause serious health issues for nearby residents. They also pose risks of zoonotic diseases, which can jump from animals to humans. Measure J will reduce these risks by eliminating the primary sources of pollution and disease.

Explore the risk

Taking the power back

If our legislators won’t act to solve the problem, we will. That's why the Coalition to End Factory Farming is using the ballot measure process, a process which provides citizens an opportunity to take the power back and directly pass legislation ourselves.

Learn why legislators failed us