A collection of fifteen controversial essays that debate the benefits of and problems associated with factory farming.

Industrial farming is harmful to small farmers, the environment, and public health / Ronnie Cummins -- Commercial fertilizers and farms are far superior to organic farms / R.I Throckmorton -- Factory farm animals are treated inhumanely / Mark H. Bernstein -- Factory farm animals are treated humanely / AgNetEd.com -- Large-scale hog operations are severely polluting the air and water / Christopher D. Cook -- Large hog farms do not significantly impact water quality / Dennis T. Avery and Alex Avery -- Large-scale confinement operations are not necessary / John Ikerd -- Large meat processing plants are hazardous to workers / Human Rights Watch -- Worker safety is a primary concern at food processing plants / J. Patrick Boyle -- Genetically engineered crops pose many risks / Sally Deneen -- Genetically engineered crops have provided great benefits to the world / International Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources -- Shrimp farms have disastrous effects on people and the environment / Public Citizen -- Fish farms are necessary to feed a growing population / Hauke L. Kite-Powell -- Industrialized poultry farms are breeding grounds for avian influenza / Wendy Orent -- The Department of Agriculture is protecting consumers from avian influenza / Ron DeHaven.