There is considerable dissension within Sonoma County regarding Measure J that would effectively ban all Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).  The ballot measure spearheaded by the Coalition to End Factory Farming, collected enough signatures to qualify for the November election. Entities behind the Coalition include Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) and other militant organization aimed at eliminating all forms of intensive livestock production and the consumption of meat and poultry.

The Coalition to End Factory Farming is pursuing an active campaign with publication of selected images obtained clandestinely through farm intrusions.  One farm that has been targeted operates 750 dairy cows on 2,000 acres of organic-certified pasture. This farm was previously selected as a leader in environmental compliance within the County and family-ownership has operated the farm continuously since 1905. Measure J is strongly opposed by the Sonoma Board of County Supervisors.  They emphasize the economic impact and practical implications of the Measure if it were to pass. 

Opponents of intensive livestock production were sagacious in selecting Sonoma County for their initiative and also basing the measure on the environment rather than welfare.  Passage of Measure J in Sonoma County would establish a dangerous precedent for any state that allows voter initiatives to create legislation.  While this form of governance was appropriate for new territories in the 18^th century, it is now an anachronism, subject to coercion of voters and subverting the normal legislative process.  The solution to hair-brained and zany initiatives is to markedly increase the number of signatures required to place a proposal on a ballot to approximate 25 percent of registered voters. Obtaining signatures for Propositions at state level and Measures at county level has become an established industry in California and the emergence of ballot initiatives does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the mainstream electorate.