Ballot initiative Measure J attempted to ban large livestock farms in Sonoma County, California. Over 85% of the voters opposed the proposal.

Proponents claimed the measure would protect animal welfare. It would also serve as a national model to move food systems away from large-scale agriculture.

Sonoma Country is home to approximately two dozen concentrated animal-feeding operations. Four of these are owned by Perdue Farms subsidiary Petaluma Poultry. There are also several large dairy farms in the region. Farmers expressed concerns that the loss of large farms could ripple through the agricultural economy.

The loss of all dairy and poultry farms in Sonoma County would result in a $381 million impact to the local economy. This would include significant job and wage losses according to a government impact report.

Read more about the proposal to band livestock farms in Sonoma County here.