The following essay won first place in our Summer 2023 Essay Writing Contest for high school and college students. The author, Nora Koch, earned a $1,000 scholarship to fund her studies.

Robust wildlife surrounds me as I make my way through the tropical rainforests of Maua, Kenya. The aroma of thriving plant life permeates the air. Soaring banana trees tower over isolated communities of dilapidated houses. A thick layer of dirt and grime coats everything. Despite the atrocious living conditions, the landscape is breathtakingly stunning. Last year, I traveled to Kenya, where I worked in a rural hospital. Many people in Kenya travel by foot, over long distances, to obtain clean water. Cows and other livestock roam freely. Almost everyone lives in abject poverty.

Image: Creative Commons under Unsplash

I recently became aware of a proposed bill that directly affects the dairy industry in my community in Texas, as well as the drinking water in nearby areas. When I read the news story about this bill, my memories of Kenya both with poverty and the lack of clean drinking water came rushing back. House Bill 2827 will directly affect the dairy farmers in my community and their ability to make a living (Burns). Some also claim that it may negatively affect the drinking water of communities that are downstream. 

This bill would modify existing regulations that were put in place over twenty years ago. Since that time, our community has lost 75% of our dairy farmers (Support HB 2827 – Milk4texas.Org.). The economic loss is immeasurable. There is one major community downstream whose water quality has improved vastly since the regulations were put into place. Their city leaders are concerned that reversing some of these restrictions might reverse the improvements (Shearin).

Specifically, the bill would end the requirement for farmers to receive training on animal waste management, but it would retain the requirement for farmers to do soil testing. High levels of phosphorus contribute to water quality issues. However, the bill would remove the requirement that farmers create and file a plan to decrease phosphorus levels if those soil samples show that they are too high. Requiring soil testing without requiring plans to decrease phosphorus levels seems contradictory. In addition, the bill allows farmers to obtain individual permits instead of a general permit, which are allowed throughout the rest of the state. The process for acquiring an individual permit, according to the farmers, is time-consuming and expensive. So, local farmers would have to spend more of their time and resources to simply squire the permit to operate their farm than other farmers in the state. 

As the daughter of a pastor, I’ve grown up in the church. My faith is the lens through which I see the world. When I consider stewardship, I am drawn to Genesis 1:28-30, which says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”(Genesis 1: Niv Bible: Youversion.) This scripture tells me that God provided the earth for our use. Everything belongs to God, yet he has given us the unique gift and responsibility of caring for the earth. Caring for the earth around us also includes the resources that we have, like the quality of the water we use and the dairy farms that we operate and manage. 

Many business leaders value profits over environmental destruction. Similarly, some environmental activists don’t believe that it is possible to both protect the environment and improve the economy. I don’t believe the two are mutually exclusive. God gives us dominion over the earth, while also charging us with the responsibility of caring for it. Balancing these two priorities allows us to care for the earth, while also caring for people. Perhaps in the case of HB 2827, a compromise could be made. Recognizing both the right of people living downstream to have clean drinking water as well as the necessity for dairy farmers to make a living might lead to cooperation between the two groups. 

My trip to Kenya showed me the devastation that occurs when people don’t have job opportunities. Many Kenyans lack necessities like food, healthcare, and shelter. In addition, because there are almost no regulations in Kenya, it becomes very difficult to find clean water. The situation in Kenya, as well as the ongoing discussion about dairy farming in my community, give us an opportunity to work toward non-zero-sum solutions that protect drinking water and provide opportunities for farmers to thrive. 

Works Cited

Burns. “Bill Analysis.” 88(R) HB 2827 – Committee Report (Unamended) Version-Bill Analysis, 

capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/analysis/html/HB02827H.htm. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.

“Genesis 1: NIV Bible: Youversion.” Youversion | The Bible App | Bible.com, 

www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.1.NIV. Accessed 10 Sept. 2023.

Shearin, Author: Nicole. “’This Would Be a Backwards Step for Water Quality in Our 

Community.’: New Proposed Bill Aims to Change Waco Water Supply Regulation.” Kcentv.com, 21 Apr. 2023. https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/community/new-proposed-bill-aims-to-change-waco-water-supply-regulation/500-64322a33-f19e-4374-9945-b01dda87e8fc.

“Support HB 2827 – Milk4texas.org.” Support HB 2827, 

www.milk4texas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/TAD-Permits-HB-2827.pdf. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023