Lawyer and author Corban Addison spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 15 about the legal battle between industrial hog farming and residents of eastern North Carolina.
This keynote is a part of Elon University’s Campus sustainability week. Oct. 14 to 18 serves as a chance for Elon students, faculty and staff to come together to learn about and celebrate sustainable practices.
As part of Elon’s sustainability week, Addison focused on holding Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, accountable for long-time environmental damage.
This story was covered by Addison in his book “Wastelands,” which is an in-depth recount of the struggle eastern North Carolina residents went through to expose shady agricultural practices and the hold corporations have on the state legislature.
Wendell Murphy, known as the father of industrial hog farming, started by trying to raise a small herd. But after cholera wiped out his cattle, he decided to follow Don Tyson’s industrialization of chicken farming.
Murphy’s industrialization of hog farming was monumental, making him a billionaire in 1997 with his company Smithfield Foods. But trouble came to the neighbors of Smithfield slaughterhouses.
Hogs produced lots of waste, so Smithfield made the innovation to use a sprinkler-like system that would spray waste on nearby crops. However, wind consistently blew waste onto nearby homes.
Resident Elsie Herring described a smell that would burn her nose and throat, and “hog waste falling on her mother’s roof like rain.”
Hog farm moguls would dismiss her claims, calling it a necessary step in the process and “the smell of money.”
The pleas of Herring and other residents would go unheard until Hurricane Floyd caused the treatment of hogs to be brought to public attention. After this, lawyer Mona Lisa Wallace would take a mass-action lawsuit against Smithfield Foods.
While Addison did not tell the audience how this lawsuit ended, encouraging attendees to read his book, he did leave the audience with a hopeful message.
“There is a way to save our food system,” Addison said during the event. “It’s going to take political will, it’s going to come down to all of us. And my hope is you all will join with me in pushing in your own decisions.”
Through a variety of events, students can learn about how Elon University practices sustainability and how individuals can practice sustainability in their daily lives. Events for the week can be found on the sustainability week calendar.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
S’mores with Outdoors | Beck Pool Patio, 9 to 10 p.m.
Join Elon Outdoors and the Eco-Reps for a nighttime gathering of s’mores and socializing.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Build your own Birdhouse | Elon Community Garden, 2 to 4 p.m.
Make milk-carton bird houses or bird feeders at the community garden, bird seeds included.
Elon Farmers’ Market | Elon Community Church, 3 to 6 p.m.
Support local business at the local farmers market. Stop by the Office of Sustainability table to get a reusable shopping bag.
Day 1 from Orchard to Oven | Meet at East intersection, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Shop at the Elon Farmers’ Market for ingredients to use when baking the next day. Ingredient shopping is included, bring your own money to purchase things for yourself.
Culturally Relevant Herbalism & Farming | Loy Farm EcoVillage, 4 to 6 p.m. (Registration required)
Join Brandon Ruiz for an herbalism workshop. Ruiz will share his experience with cultivating community through herbalism. The workshop is hands on, with all participants getting a product made partially from produce grown at Loy Farm.
Pop Up Swap Shop | Moseley Center, 5 to 6 p.m.
Bring good condition clothes you no longer wear, in order to trade for new-to-you shirts, pants, dresses and more.
Draft Sustainability Master Plan Feedback Session | McKinnon Hall in Moseley Center, 6 to 7 p.m.
This is an interactive session, taking the opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on a draft of Elon’s next 10-year sustainability plan.
Friday, Oct. 18
Mental Health Hike | Shallow Ford Natural Area - Transportation Provided, 2 to 5 p.m. (Registration required)
Join the Office of Sustainability on a hike to experience and explore the ways being in nature can support your mental health.
Bike to Burlington | Meet at Koury Athletic Center, 4 to 6 p.m. (Registration required)
Join a group bike ride to downtown Burlington.
Day 2 From Orchard to Oven | East Commons Kitchen, 5 to 7 p.m.
Using farmers market ingredients, students will learn to bake an apple cobbler and discuss food waste and demonstrations.