The following two letters were written by local middle school students. 

To the Editor-

I have many concerns about the proposed CAFO being built in Saratoga, but water is the one that stands out. We have some of the cleanest water in the state, but it’s also highly susceptible to contamination. Because our soil is sandy, it’s at a higher risk of getting polluted by the nitrates in manure.

Residents of Saratoga who use well water have already expressed their fears of how this will affect them. And when the tests show it’s no longer drinkable, who’s responsible for cleaning it? Why risk something we can never replace? Water is life.

Avery Lockman
7th grade
Nekoosa

To the Editor-

Saratoga may be getting nearly 5,000 new residents in the next few years. Unfortunately, they’re cows, not people. Those of us in Nekoosa, Wisconsin Rapids, and other nearby towns, are kidding ourselves if we think we won’t feel the effect. How much growth do you expect we’ll see in this area once 8,000 acres of land is cleared and sprayed with manure?

The CAFO that Wysocki intends to build will change the way people view our entire community. Even those living here now are thinking about moving if the farm is built. If you haven’t been paying attention to those pink cows on the side of the road, you might want to start. There’s a lot more at risk than you may realize.

Ramona Bush
7th grade
Nekoosa