Leading slaughterhouse opponent submits documents that inadvertently support Carson Valley Meats' proposed facility

A representative of a coalition group opposing the proposed Carson Valley Meats processing facility has sent a letter to the Carson City Planning Commission, which includes links to 99 documents cited as evidence of the harms of slaughterhouses.

However, a third of the evidence provided actually argues in favor of boutique slaughterhouses such as the one that Carson Valley Meats has proposed, while over a third of the evidence appears to be irrelevant to the proposal.

The letter (which can be found at the bottom of this story) was sent to the planning commission by Jennifer Verive, who has been leading the effort by a loosely organized group of local residents who are opposed to the proposed slaughterhouse.

Over a dozen of the articles and studies submitted to the commission argue that the U.S. needs more small, boutique-style USDA-inspected slaughterhouses to help meet the demand at local levels, as well as to promote more humane and healthy conditions of animals, facility workers, and consumers.

Within the files provided to the planning commission in the letter, 13 make the argument for the need of more boutique slaughterhouses, while 33 argue against the large-scale meat facilities and factory farms that Carson Valley Meats claims to be fighting against and the harm they cause.

For example, in the file titled Segetstrom 2020, the author spends the entirety of the article arguing that there is a dire need for smaller slaughterhouse and meat facilities because they are exponentially safer — including in stopping COVID-19 — than in larger facilities such as Tyson. It states that having a more diverse food system is a benefit to the country as a whole.

Similarly in Evaluating the Economic Impact of Wolf Pack Meats, the study found that regional meat consumers are willing to pay "impressive premiums" for locally produced meats, and the study estimates that due to consumer demand, local meat products could benefit both producers, grocers and consumers significantly at the local level.

In America's Slaughterhouse Mess the article argues in favor of local, regulated small-scale facilities as opposed to large-scale slaughterhouses. For example it states: “USDA rules often force small, sustainable farmers to ship animals hundreds of miles away — even out of state — to be slaughtered.” It goes on to discuss the fact that there is such a shortage of USDA facilities that livestock producers often have to pass by local facilities in favor of the larger facilities, in which their product could face recall if exposed to other facilities’ diseased meats.

Carson Now attempted to make contact with Verive who did not return comment. A representative of Carson Now went to the community meeting held by the opposition at the library and was told to leave because while it was a "community meeting," they said it was only for "their community." At that meeting, Verive told Carson Now she had "no comment" on why these and other articles were involved.

By bringing a boutique slaughterhouse to local residents, Carson Valley Meats has argued that they themselves are fighting against factory farming, large-scale facilities that produce pollution and cause stress and anguish of animals through harmful practices.

Of the 99 files provided, 38 make no mention of either slaughterhouses or Carson Valley Meats, but discuss a variety of topics such as Carson City’s weather, a local electronics recycling facility, Abe Curry and the founding and Carson City, and more.

One is a screenshot of an article published on Carson Now in 2019 for the Nevada Lore Series, which goes over the biography of Abe Curry.

Several discuss the ways in which feed lots and CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), which is counter to Carson Valley Meats' proposed project, pollute waterways and cause terrible odors for surrounding communities.

Several also discuss the issues of flies. However, in these articles, it states that it takes 10 to 14 days for a fly to complete its life cycle from egg to maggot to fly. However, the Carson Valley Meats facility would be required to remove all manure from the property within 24 hours, which would make it impossible for flies to breed given such a short time span.

It is unknown why these 38 documents were included despite having nothing to do with either slaughterhouses or Carson Valley Meats.

“Evidence matters because the decision-making standard you are tasked with applying is not mere opinion, but rather a preponderance of evidence,” states Verive in her letter to the commission.

Verive also describes Carson Valley Meats as a “wealthy out-of-state corporation” despite being owned and operated by a single individual, Karin Sinclair, who owns a single farm, Sinclair Family Farm, in California. The facility would be run along with Sinclair by Mike Holcomb, who has lived locally for nearly 30 years and is trained in humane, USDA-inspected meat harvesting procedures.

Carson Valley Meats Inc. is registered as a domestic corporation in Nevada, according to the Nevada Secretary of State's Office. Karin Sinclair is the owner of Carson Valley Meats.

A spokesperson for Carson Valley Meats provided the following statement in regards to the letter sent to the commission:

"After reviewing the many articles and the letter sent by Ms. Vervie, we found most of them do not have any bearing on our project as they are trying to compare apples to oranges. Much of the subject matter relates to large industrial processing facilities, feedlots or those located in developing countries not under the strict USDA regulations we are. Our proposal, which was previously approved by the Planning Commission prior to the city’s error in noticing, addresses every concern raised, and we would be happy to discuss how our project differs from the ones submitted by Ms. Vervie."

Many of the files provided also contain flooding information, including articles regarding the Carson City flood of 1997. However, according to Stephen Pottey with the Development Engineering Division, the project is completely out of the floodway, which contains the most restrictive requirements for new development.

“The project is located completely outside of the floodway,” said Pottey. “The portion of the project that is within the AE flood zone will be required to meet additional regulations as set forth in CCMC 12.09. These include restrictions on final grade elevations, finished floor elevations, total cut and fill amounts, and mapping requirements with FEMA. The project is proposing to grade the site such that the project is outside of the AE flood zone. If approved, the flood zone map would have to be amended once the project was complete.“

A summary is provided below of the files submitted to the Planning Commission: 

First File Folder labeled wetransfer_research-articles-for-9-29-21-pc-mtg_2021-12-

1. The first provided file is a screenshot of Carson’s weather climate averages. 

2. The second file is a copy of Carson City’s Charter. 

3. The third file is a file regarding Common Manure Test Results Conversions, which describes how a researcher can perform tests on manure. Does not provide any statistical data.
4. Environmental Integrity Three Quarters (…): This file discusses how large meat packing plants pollute waterways, especially through “manure lagoons” which CVM is not permitted to have. 

5. Livestock odor facts: Livestock odor, by definition in this article, is when “organic matter such as manure decomposes and releases gases containing chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs.” CVM does not have a permit for manure to stay on site more than 24 hours, therefore there is no decomposition that could occur. 

6. Greenfieldjkwinter: This file contains an article that discusses the relationship between home prices and large-scale livestock facilities, including large scale slaughterhouses and feed stocks. “The common denominator is a large perpetual inventory and density of animals.” This does not apply to Carson Valley Meats because they are not allowed to have a perpetual inventory and their density cannot be higher than 60 animals at a time except for 3 times per year when they are allowed 120 animals. 

7. Indiana_cafo_cfo_property_impact_2008: This is an article that discusses how feedlots and processing facilities can affect housing prices.  “Regulated livestock operations can have a small positive effect on nearby residential property values in rural areas. Regulated livestock feeding operations have a negative effect.” Carson Valley Meats is not a feeding operation, and is regulated by both the USDA and Carson City Municipal Codes.

 8. Living with hogs: relates to livestock feeding operations. CVM is not a feeding operation. 

9. Neighbors sue ZBA over approved slaughterhouse: This is an article relating a proposed slaughterhouse in a residential zoning district which slaughterhouses were not zoned for. Slaughterhouses are one of the permitted uses in General Industrial, where CVM is zoned. This also was raising animals on the property. CVM cannot raise animals on the property. 

10. Noise assessment in slaughterhouses by means of a smartphone app: This article discusses how animals, namely cattle, can be stressed at the time of slaughter due to loud noises as well as during unloading. The study states that “vocalization of cattle and pigs is usually not loud, whereas gates and slammed gates produced a high sound level.” (Berg, Grandin). The article also focuses on slaughterhouses that perform between 10,000 and 50,000 animals per year, significantly higher than the 720 proposed by Carson Valley Meats. Carson Valley Meats, by its own permit, would only be allowed to harvest 60 animals, one day per week, as compared to the 4,166 per week cited in this study. The noise cited in this article relating to livestock inside the facilities were similar to decibels belonging to between a vacuum cleaner and a hairdryer, with the max noise levels comparable to “an MP3 player at full volume” according to the chart provided by Verive as file no. 11. 

11. This file contains a “noise chart” relating to various sounds and what decibel they reach. 

12. This file contains an article
regarding CVM in Douglas; presumably from the Record Courier newspaper, but it's not clear as there are no citations from where it came from. 

13. This discusses how farmers can protect their hearing from loud noises while completing tasks relating to farming. CVM staff are not farmers; however, they do utilize all PPE necessary for the standards of their duties, according to CVM. 

14. Protection Distances for Sufficient Dispersion and Dilution: This article relates to swine operations. CVM is not a swine operation. 

15. Public Interest Groups Sue EPA (…) This relates to large slaughterhouses and feed lots which allow pollution into waterways due to “outdated pollution-control technology.” CVM is not a feedlot. By their permitted use of the property, CVM has no ability to introduce anything into the waterways as they are connected to the Carson City Sewer System. Since it is a brand new building, it would be fitted with current technology, according to CVM. 

16. The Rational Method: This is a file that discusses how to create software to create hydrographs. It contains nothing involving slaughterhouses, CVM, nor even waterway pollution. 

17. Slaughterhouse Neighbors… This is an article relating to a slaughterhouse operation regarding the Y.B. Halal Meat Market in Bushkill Township in Pennsylvania. This is an operation that is processing “hundreds” of animals per week, as opposed to 60, and is doing it in a halal fashion, in which goats are first hung by their feet and then they have their throats slit. This is not a practice employed by CVM. Additionally, in the article, the facility kept their manure on site and allowed it to wash into the neighborhood to pollute surrounding waterways as well as the streets. This was also located inside of a residential zone, unlike the General Industrial zone CVM proposes to occupy. 

18. Slaughterhouse Plans … This is an article regarding a proposed slaughterhouse in a GI zone in Powell, Wyoming. It describes opinions from those both for and against. However it does not contain any data or statistics. In the article itself those who say it will bring smells were told that its feedlots specifically that smell, not slaughterhouses. 

19. Slaughterhouse Supporting Materials: This is a staff report for the planning commission for CVM. 

20. Slaughterhouse_Great Falls … This is an article from the Great Falls Tribune regarding an industrial sized meat slaughtering and processing facility. CVM is not an industrial sized meat plant and while the facility in the article would need thousands of workers, CVM plans to operate with less than 10. 

21. Slaughterhouses and increased crime rates. This article relates to crime rates near large-scale slaughterhouse facilities. However, the data for this article is 20-30 years old, and it specifically looks at ethnographic studies of communities where large slaughterhouses have been sited. CVM is not a large slaughterhouse. 

22. Stink Wars: This article pertains to the odors from farms, and specifically contends that animals held in feedlots as a part of factory farming can cause health problems to neighbors. CVM is not a farm nor a feedlot. 

23. Stinky Waves: This is an article from the Pioneer Press in the Twin Cities regarding smells generated from farms near the city, specifically about farmers fertilizing their fields with manure. CVM is not a farm. 

24. Psychological Impact of Slaughterhouse Employment.This article discusses the psychological effects working at a slaughterhouse facility could have on workers. While the data comes from large scale operations in the U.S. and the U.K., not boutique processing facilities, the study is in relation to killing itself, not to the quantity of killings. 

25. Timing Manure Application:This article discusses timing manure applications on farms. CVM is not a farm. 

26. Water and Energy Use… This is a thesis study conducted regarding water and energy use as well as wastewater production at a mid-sized midwestern beef packing plant. The article states that practices have only gotten safer since the 1980s when the last study was conducted.

27. What’s that Smell: This is an article regarding Toronto’s downtown slaughterhouse. In the article, it discusses the fact that the slaughterhouse operates in the old industrial area which has since become a neighborhood district of condos and entertainment spots alongside the slaughterhouses. In the article, neighbors and business owners the journalist talked to said they like having the facility there, and stated that it had no effect on nearby businesses, though they did state there was a smell that was “unpleasant but bearable.” This was a large facility employing 700 workers in a downtown area surrounded by condos at close range. CVM is significantly smaller, is in an industrial area, and the closest homes are 900 feet away.  


Second File Folder

Labeled: wetransfer_research-on-slaughterhouse-harms_2021-12-07_1851 

1. America’s Slaughterhouse Mess: This article makes the argument for more local, boutique processing facilities. In the article it states: “USDA rules often force small, sustainable farmers to ship animals hundreds of miles away—even out of state—to be slaughtered.” This is, according to CVM, exactly the purpose of the CVM project, and the purpose of being a USDA facility. 

 2. 9 CFR. Denaturing processes: This is the definition of what denaturing is (which treats non-edible meat and meat byproducts with food coloring or other means to indicate its not fit for humane consumption). 

3. 2013 Sinclar. This is a print out from Sinclair Family Farms website from 2013. It states that not having processing plants is difficult on local producers. 

4. 2018 feasibility study. This is a feasibility study conducted in Oregon for a proposed USDA slaughter facility in Okanogan County. It discusses the needs since producers don’t have access to a nearby USDA facility. 

5. Planning Commission Regular Meeting - These are the minutes from the July 13, 2021 planning commission meeting in Douglas County. 

6. 89502..This is a screenshot of a website that sells customers home security systems, and states that the crime in Reno is extremely high. However, by looking at a non-commercial website, https://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Reno-Nevada.html it states that the areas of Reno and Sparks are comparable with the U.S. average when it comes to the crime rate, and has seen a consistent decline of violent crime as well as property crime throughout the last 5 years. 

7. Abbott 2007. This article is very similar to article no. 4 and discusses the fact that USDA did not inspect processing plants as they should have for 30 years. The article was published in 2007; since then, the USDA has changed its processes and a USDA inspector is required at every slaughter CVM will perform, according to CVM. 

8. Animal Welfare in Pig Slaughterhouses: this article describes techniques slaughterhouses can employ to destress pigs prior to processing. 

9. Carson City State Capital. This is an article from NNDA regarding economic development in Carson. It lists where Carson is, its time zone, and its statistics. 

10. Cites Index downloaded…Same as above.

11. Column _ A Stink … This article is in regards to residents in Chicago protesting a zoning change that would allow a slaughterhouse to move into a property previously used as a horse facility and race track. The article also discusses the dangers of misinformation online and especially on social media, as many rumors surrounded the proposed the facility that were false. 

12. Common Flies: This is an article regarding the types of flies that exist at cattle projects. CVM does not have any cattle living at the facility, and all manure is required to be discarded within 24 hours of processing. As the article states, the cycle of a maggot egg into a fly takes 10 to 14 days in hot weather. There would need to be manure on site for 2 weeks for flies to form. 

13. County History: This lists the dates each county in Nevada was created. 

14. Cow shot three times…This is an article from 2019 regarding a cow that had to be stunned three times at the UNR Wolf Pack Meats slaughterhouse. The USDA inspector immediately cited Wolf Pack Meats and suspended slaughtering while an investigation took place. This shows how involved USDA inspectors are at the facilities, and that any issue would immediately be caught and investigated. 

15. Crime Stats…this is a cut and paste from article no. 6. 

16. This is an article regarding Custom-exempt slaughterhouses (aka non-USDA inspected) and why they should not exist. CVM is not a custom-exempt project. The article also makes the argument that producers will only continue to have access to alternative slaughter facilities, but argues they need to be USDA-supervised for the health and safety of both animals and consumers. 

17. Dealing with pesky flies on cattle: See remarks for no. 12. Manure would need to be on site for 2 weeks to reproduce flies. 

18. Dinner on the patio: This is an article from Iowa regarding the smell in their downtown sector due to a large pork processing plant with animals kept outside, and a rendering plant. CVM is not a rendering plant, nor is it a large-scale processing facility. 

19. This is a screenshot from “Area Vibes” regarding East Reno crime rates. 

20. Same as above

21. Evaluating the Economic Impact of Wolf Pack Meats: This is a study that states that regional meat consumers are willing to pay “impressive premiums” for locally produced meats, and estimates that due to consumer demand local meat products could benefit both producers and consumers. 

22. Exsanguination…This is only an abstract and does not contain any information or data. States that some blood is retained in viscera versus carcase following slaughter. 

23. Financial Potential … This is an article regarding mobile slaughter units versus stationary facilities in Nevada and their potential feasibility. 

24. Finz 2014. Slaughterhouse accused of selling…This is an article from 2014 regarding an extremely large-scale slaughterhouse being cited for selling meat with cancer. 

25. Fly Control…See previous mentions regarding flies. 

26. FlyManagement…See previous mentions regarding flies. 

27. Food Northwest…This is a screenshot from “Food Northwest” gives a brief overview of how and where meat and poultry are processed in the U.S. as well as water processing for various animals. 

28. Same as above

29. Ford invests…This is a KTVN article regarding how Ford invested $50 million in Redwood Materials in Carson City. Does not contain any reference to either slaughterhouses or CVM. 

30. Frequently asked questions about livestock odor. This article was also in the first packet. States in first sentence livestock odor comes from decomposing manure. Manure at CVM can not be on site long enough to decompose. 

 31. Grandin Recommended…This is an article regarding the Temple Grandin method of slaughter. CVM employs the Temple Grandin method and Grandin has even visited CVM’s Mike Holcomb during a slaughter and approved of the employed procedures. 

 32. Guide to Designing a small…This is a Guide to designing a small red meat plant with two sizes of models. CVM appears to mirror these.
33. Guidelines for slaughtering … same as above. CVM employs the Temple Grandin method as well as adheres to all USDA processing standards. 

34. Housing Data… This is a screenshot from Zillow but it does not seem to be filled out, and contained no data within it. 

35. How Much Meat… This is an article from the South Dakota State University Extension describing how much meat can be harvested from a steer. 

36. Interactive Crime Map… Another crime map. See prior. 

37. Livestock - WholeManual: This is an article relating to what ranchers use as pesticides for their animals. CVM are not ranchers and will not be/have no need to apply pesticides. 

38. Meat Prices… This is an article regarding how ranchers are “fed up” with the prices of major harvesting plants and want sustainable alternatives. 

39. Mistakes to avoid when constructing… This is an article relating to construction methods in processing facilities. 

40. This is another story about the Toronto Slaughterhouse. This is a large facility in the downtown sector of a large city with condos built next door.

41. Odors from… This is an article about livestock operations. CVM is not a livestock operation. 

42. One-Montana-Meat… This is a feasibility study regarding the constructing of a meat processing facility in Montana. This is a massive facility that could process up to 250 animals every day. CVM is limited to 60 animals per week. 

43. OSHA Safety…This is a health guide from the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the Safety and Health Guides for the meatpacking industry. CVM follows all OSHA guidelines, according to CVM. 

44. OSHA letter of inquiry for Wolf Pack Meats. Issued 2021, stating there were issues at the Wolf Pack Meats worksite reported to OSHA. However, according to UNR, there are no ongoing inquiries from OSHA which would indicate it has been resolved. 

45. Our Team - White Oak Pastures: This is a screenshot of an “About” section from a Georgia farm called White Oak Pastures. Contains no information having to do with either CVM or slaughterhouses. 

46. Past Floods - Flooding Events in Carson City. States in the first sentence that the most recent significant flooding was in 1997. CVM is not on a flood plain. 

47. Penakalapati et all - This is in relation to humans who are exposed to feces of sick animals, most notably when they live in close proximity to humans, and most notably for children. CVM does not have any animals living on premises. There are no children proposed to work at the premises. Workers must use PPE while working with animals or byproducts, including waste. The majority of the data in the article also came from developing countries. 

48. Penrose 2019 … This is an article written in 2019 as part of the Nevada Lore Series on Carson Now about Abe Curry and the founding of Carson City. Makes no mention of either Carson Valley Meats nor slaughterhouses. 

49. PlanCom — This is an article from the Mason Valley News from 2014 regarding Lyon County denying a SUP for a slaughterhouse. That slaughterhouse was proposing to slaughter 120 beef per day with 150 sheep or goats for special orders, and would operate year round, 24 hours per day, four days per week. They also proposed wastewater ponds. None of these proposals are similar to CVM. 

 50. Properties - devalue… This is an article regarding CAFOs and their effects on property values. CVM is not a CAFO. 

51. Residents, politicians ‘disturbed…’ : this is an article regarding a slaughterhouse being opened in the middle of a Toronto neighborhood, and one of the largest meat plants in Ontario. CVM is neither a large facility nor in the middle of a residential neighborhood in a city. 

52. Segetstrom 2020 - This is  an article regarding the need for smaller slaughterhouse facilities and how they are exponentially safer, especially from COVID-19, than in the larger facilities like Tyson. This only backs up CVM’s mission. 

53. Slaughterhouse Blood .. This is an article relating to how blood can be used in food for humans, and the methods by which blood can be collected. 

54. Slaughterhouse Pest Control … This is an article by a company selling a product called “Pestman” that wants to sell their products to slaughterhouses, especially in regards to flies. See prior comments regarding the fact that flies cannot reproduce by design at CVM. 

55. Slaughterhouse Wastewater Treatment: This is an article discussing the methods of treating wastewater at slaughterhouses. 

56. SIR.Nevada-Recovery: This is a packet from the NV Office of Economic Development regarding Nevada’s recovery plan. 

57. Standard Plans for a small … Guidelines for small meat facilities in the South Pacific and Developing countries. While this does describe small facilities, which is pertinent, it also does not contain any information regarding US regulations or facilities. 

58. The 2005 Flood: An article from Around Carson in 2006, regarding the effects of a winter flood. Does not mention the area of CVM, which is not on a flood plain. Does mention the Carson River flooding, but in Gardnerville. 

59. The control of blowflies … See prior about flies. 

60. The Counter - America’s Slaughterhouse mess. Already included in packet. See prior notes on how this article, included twice, argues in favor of facilities like CVM. 

61. The Least Wanted - This article has more information about flies

62. Water footprint of beef - This article has to do with cattle raising and the water impacts on free range versus industrial herds. States that animals in CAFOs or feedlots need significantly more water and produce more waste than pasture-raised herds. 

63. Treatment alternatives - This article discusses wastewater treatment from slaughterhouses.

64. USDA 2019 worry … an article regarding the difficulties of keeping up with large scale corporate slaughterhouses throughout the country and the burnout of USDA inspectors because of it. This article also argues in favor of small facilities like CVM. 

65. USDA issues complaint … This article discusses the USDA issuing a complaint against a facility in regards to a stockyard, and in regards to the owner not paying ranchers for meat. 

66. USDA punishes slaughterhouse … Regards USDA pulling their inspectors from a slaughterhouse for repeated violations of animal abuse. Discusses how the USDA is imperative to humane practices. Also states in the article multiple times that it's a very rare occurrence. 

67. USGS Flood of Jan… This article is in regards to the 1997 flood. 

68. USGS Estimated use of water… This is an article from the USGS regarding the estimated use of water in the US from 2015. Does not contain specific information about Nevada. 

69. Vermont Slaughterhouse Feasibility … A study regarding producers in Vermont who had nowhere to process their animals and wanted to create a cooperatively owned slaughterhouse. 

70. Water Pollution from Slaughterhouse …This is another article about large-scale slaughterhouses that were polluting waterways. 

71. What happens to animal blood …This is an article specifically talking about practices in India and has no relations to U.S. practices. Discusses what happens to animal blood following harvesting.

72. Zillow Database Home … A zillow database of home prices. Showing all average home prices by zip code. 


The letter Verive sent to the Carson City Planning Commission is as follows:

Verive.12.7.21 Letter to Planning Commission Re Propsed SH by Carson Now on Scribd