In the picturesque community of St. Croix, Wisconsin, lives a remarkable woman, a beacon of hope for many and a thorn in the side of Big Agriculture. Virginia Drath, an 82-year-old former nurse and dairy farmer, has witnessed the impact factory farming, specifically mega-dairies, has inflicted upon her community. Her story is one of resilience, determination and a deep commitment to environmental justice.

Rooted in Family and Farming

Virginia’s journey began when she and her husband, John, moved from St. Paul, Minnesota to an 80-acre farm just across the border in Wisconsin. John grew up on a farm and for years dreamed of returning to his farming roots. Together, they built a life centered around their small dairy farm, raising two children, and contributing to their local community.

As time went on, the farming landscape in Wisconsin changed with the advent of factory farming. After 15 years of operating a dairy, and following a few years of bad weather, the Drath family decided to sell their 30 dairy cows but continued to live on their 80 acres. Over the years, Virginia saw more farmers shutter their doors and large-scale farms take their place.

Called “mega-dairies,” these large-scale operations house thousands of cows, bringing significant environmental and health challenges to nearby residents. Challenges that Virginia could not ignore.

We have a lot of lakes in Wisconsin, it’s very nice. There are lots of wetlands, a lot of woods, and beautiful fields. Wisconsin has lost about half of our wetlands to agriculture and development.

"There was a picture of [a] yardstick down in this pile of manure that was spread over a big year, and [the manure] almost covered the whole yardstick, it was pretty deep," says Virginia. "This [spill] was located right next to a wetland area. It never should been put there in the first place."

"One particularly alarming event in 2017 involved a massive manure spill that seeped into a nearby creek, causing widespread contamination. Despite regulations requiring prompt reporting and clean-up, the dairy’s management failed to notify the authorities until four months later. This negligence led to nitrate levels in the water skyrocketing, posing severe public health risks to the community,” Virginia explains.

Karst Land and Contaminated Drinking Water

St. Croix’s wetlands are a unique part of Wisconsin’s ecosystem. Characterized by a karst landscape, a type of geological formation caused by the dissolving or erosion of limestone rock by flowing water, it is particularly vulnerable to contamination.

Over time, water erodes topsoil and underground rocks, creating sinkholes and large underground aquifers, allowing surface water to move quickly into nearby groundwater. Topsoil acts as a natural filter for water contamination, but with the region having thin topsoil, much of the contamination remains in the water. Wetlands are not only a refuge for local wildlife and residents, but they slow the flow of surface waters and help filter contaminants from reaching the groundwater supply.

According to Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, two-thirds of Wisconsin residents rely on groundwater for their drinking supply, either through their city’s water utility or through their own private wells. The combination of fast-moving water with little topsoil for natural filtration and fewer wetlands to aid in the process means contaminations like nitrates and pathogens from agricultural-related animal waste or industrial activities, quickly pollute the drinking water.

“These big companies want to move into an area, and they want a piece of property near a stream or source of water like wetlands. Well, some legislators think that’s just fine because the big companies can develop the land and make money. We don’t hear much about who owns these large companies, it’s not very transparent, but most of them are from out of state. After they buy up the property, they fill in the wetlands and [try] to replace what they filled in. The wetlands were there for a reason.

“[These] wetlands have been there for what, years, thousands maybe, and all the microorganisms and all the life that’s in that wetland is there for a reason. And it’s all interconnected. When you take away these wetlands, you’re not looking at the whole picture.”

The Hidden Costs of Mega-Dairies

Virginia’s peaceful farming community was disrupted by the arrival of Emerald Sky Dairy, which expanded to house thousands of cows and brought about a series of environmental violations. Virginia vividly recalls incidents of massive manure spills that went unreported for months, contaminating the local water supply and causing significant harm to the ecosystem.

Neighbors and family fell ill

The manure spills extend far beyond a mere inconvenience. Virginia shared heartbreaking stories of her neighbors suffering from the consequences of contaminated water. Families were forced to buy bottled water, children fell ill after playing in nearby streams, and fish and wildlife died in large numbers. While regulations and civil penalties exist, Virginia noted that fines are minimal compared to the cost of mitigating the long-term damage to the community and ecosystem.

“My great-grandson, who fell severely ill after swimming in a lake contaminated by agricultural runoff; the family dog also suffered from the same bacteria, highlighting the pervasive and insidious nature of the pollution.”

We saw nitrate levels at our town hall well reaching up to 52 parts per million, which is five times what it should be. People were reluctant to test their wells because they couldn’t afford to fix the problems, so they bought bottled water and just hoped for the best.

"It is troubling to see young mothers and their children at the grocery store, pushing shopping carts full of water week after week," says Virginia. "It is wrong that seniors have to carry heavy containers of water into their homes because of nitrate contamination. These dairy companies, who are responsible for this situation, don’t compensate these folks for the cost of water.”

Relentless Advocacy for Change

Despite the steep challenges of taking on corporate greed, Virginia remains undeterred. Her advocacy work is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect her community and future generations. She regularly attends town hall meetings, engages with state legislators and works tirelessly to educate her neighbors about the dangers posed by mega-dairies.

“We support each other. There’s a growing movement of people every year who are advocating for clean water and air. I’m very concerned about the water situation for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I want to be useful and do what I can to protect their future.”

Virginia emphasizes the need for stronger regulations and more rigorous enforcement to hold their large-scale operations accountable. She advocates for regular water testing at public facilities and private wells, and better air quality monitoring, aiming to ensure everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water and air.

“There are reasons regulations are made—to stop something or prevent it from getting worse. To me, it’s a protection, not a burden,” says Virginia. “The EPA isn't addressing this problem of waste disposal. Instead of dealing with the problem, we have large manure digesters being built to store it. It’s a big concern.”

Lesson from a Life in Advocacy

Virginia’s journey as an advocate offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make a difference in their community. She stresses the importance of persistence, community engagement and education.

“Know your neighbor,” says Virginia. “You need to be aware of what is going on in your community. We have a lot of financial investors coming into Wisconsin and other rural communities across the U.S. buying up farms. They’re not invested in the long-term success of these communities.”

“I’ve gone through lots of ink and paper to read about what’s going on and keep informed. It’s about knowing your neighbor, talking about what’s happening, and staying vigilant.”

Virginia’s story is a testament to the power of grassroots activism and the impact one individual can have on the world. As she continues her fight, she serves as an example for all who believe in the importance of environmental stewardship and public health.

Learn more about the impact mega-dairies have on animals, people, and the planet, and how you can help end factory farming.