Residents of Tonopah, Arizona, have had enough of their smelly new neighbor, Hickman’s Family Farms, and they’re taking the fight to court. A Arizona’s Family (3TV/CBS 5) investigative report by Morgan Loew on October 24, 2017, highlighted the growing frustration of dozens of residents whose lives have been upended by the industrial egg production facility housing four million chickens in a dozen massive hen houses. The overpowering stench and swarms of flies from the operation have made it nearly impossible for locals to enjoy their homes and properties.
Jesse Myers, a Tonopah resident, described the unbearable conditions: “Flies are all over the food, the floor, the countertops.” At Saddle Mountain RV Resort, the situation is so dire that people are warning others to avoid the area due to the odor and flies. “It’s an embarrassment to have company come visit us,” residents told Arizona’s Family. For a community that prides itself on its rural charm, this industrial operation feels like an invasion.
Despite complaints to Hickman’s Family Farms and county officials, residents say their concerns have been ignored. The company insists they’re good neighbors, taking steps to minimize their impact, and points out that the facility is on agriculturally zoned land in a farming community. However, this argument doesn’t sit well with those who were here first. Attorney Nick Verdea, representing the residents, filed a lawsuit against Hickman’s on October 24, 2017, claiming the egg factory constitutes a legal nuisance under Arizona law. “These people who lived in Tonopah were there first, and this is a nuisance to their everyday life,” Verdea told Arizona’s Family. A nuisance, as defined by Arizona law, includes anything “injurious to health or offensive to the senses”—a description that resonates deeply with affected residents.
The lawsuit marks a critical step in what could be a long legal battle to hold Hickman’s accountable for the environmental and quality-of-life impacts of their operation. For residents, it’s about reclaiming their right to enjoy their properties without the constant assault of odors and flies. As Morgan Loew noted, “If you were there first, you have a right to enjoy your property,” and this principle is at the heart of the community’s fight.
This case is a rallying cry for Tonopah residents to stand together. The lawsuit is just the beginning, and community support will be crucial as the legal process unfolds. Tonopah STOPP remains committed to advocating for stronger regulations and protections against industrial farming operations that threaten our health and way of life. We urge residents to document their experiences, join our efforts, and support the legal action to ensure our voices are heard.
How You Can Help:
- Share your story about how Hickman’s Egg Factory is impacting your life.
- Support Tonopah STOPP’s advocacy and legal efforts through donations or volunteering.
- Stay updated on the lawsuit and spread awareness about the environmental and health concerns caused by this CAFO.
Visit tonopahstopp.com for more details and to get involved. Let’s fight for a cleaner, healthier Tonopah!
