Stand aside Silicon Valley, the next big tech disruptor might be a giant manure scooper. Why? Because the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system on Earth, are becoming a sea of livestock excrement, thanks the number of large-scale Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) found in Michigan. We’re talking about 81 million people’s worth of fecal… Read more »
Our programs Who we are Our story is about water. 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water – and the need to educate citizens and leaders about protecting the Great Lakes as a commons held in public trust now and for future generations. At FLOW (For Love of Water), we believe the enduring ideas… Read more »
No openings right now, but stay in touch! Our legal interns engage in FLOW’s water protection law and policy programs – locally inspired, with international reach. Looking for next year? Some of the responsibilities and opportunities include writing legal and policy memos, doing fact research, attending coalition meetings and hearings, and participating in organizational events…. Read more »
One of the military clashes between England and the United States was the battle of Lake Erie. On September 10, 1813, nine ships under U.S. Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry bested a nine-ship English fleet in a decisive battle for control of western Lake Erie and surrounding lands. Today, a 352-foot International Peace Memorial on… Read more »
What is a CAFO? In plain English, a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, sometimes called a factory “farm”) is an industrial facility where livestock are kept inside a structure and fed, rather than pastured. They can house thousands – even tens of thousands – of animals in cramped conditions. Their waste is much more than… Read more »
Exploring these webinars is a great way to dive into a range of interesting and important topics. Whether you’re curious about how we manage groundwater resources, eager to hear about new book releases, interested in knowing more about shutting down Line 5, or excited to learn about regenerative agriculture practices, each webinar offers a chance… Read more »
“I am used to farm smells. I am a farmer myself. Manure spread, and even the turkey CAFO a mile away, were unpleasant but familiar smells that our community has lived with. The digestate was nothing like these. I could only liken it to having my head in a full port-a-potty. I am over a… Read more »
2026 events ‘We Are Made From Rivers’ on February 5, 2026, from 6 to 9pm, for “Sound & Shore,” an unforgettable evening of storytelling and water at Kirkbride Hall. Listen to the recording! 2025 events Flow Water Advocates ‘Sound & Shore’ on August 7, 2025, from 6 to 9pm, for “Sound & Shore,” an unforgettable… Read more »
In the summer of 2014, residents of Toledo, Ohio awoke to the news that they should avoid drinking the water that came out of their tap. On August 2, 2014, government officials warned against drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth with the algae-trainted water supplies. In total, the “do not drink” advisory was given to over… Read more »
July 31, 2024: Michigan Supreme Court affirms EGLE’s authority to issue General Permit with stronger conditions for factory farms Traverse City, Mich.— FLOW applauds the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision yesterday, rejecting the Court of Appeals’ dangerously flawed ruling in Michigan Farm Bureau v. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Unsatisfied with permit terms… Read more »
