In the early hours of Maine, dairy farmer Fred Stone embarks on a frigid journey through the snow to milk his cows, adhering to the age-old principle of "cows first, people second." Stone, who has named each of his cows and knows them intimately, has faced a heart-wrenching crisis. His milk is contaminated with PFAS, "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and serious health issues. This has led to the euthanization of 80% of his cows and a debt of $1.5 million as he tried to save his farm.

The Battle Against Forever Chemicals on American Farms

Fred Stone's Dairy Farm Struggle

It's 4 a.m. in Maine, and Fred Stone continues his family's dairy farming tradition. But now, his life is turned upside down by the discovery of PFAS in his milk. The USDA's consideration of exterminating his cows was a blow, and he had to make the difficult decision to euthanize many of them. Despite installing a water filtration system, the contamination kept returning. Fred's story is a tragic one, highlighting the devastating impact of forever chemicals on American farmers.

He now has to face the daunting task of telling his father and grandfather what happened to the dairy farm they entrusted him with. This weighs heavily on his mind and keeps him awake at night.

Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis' Organic Farm Crisis

About 120 miles north, Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis had a dream of building a sustainable organic farm. They named it "Songbird Organic Farm" and envisioned a life of growing produce and raising a family. But when news of PFAS contamination spread, their world came crashing down.

Voluntarily testing their land and water, they discovered high levels of PFAS. Their blood levels also tested higher than those of chemical manufacturer employees. Faced with this crisis, they had to shut down their operations and recall their products.

The Origins and Spread of Forever Chemicals

Forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were created during WWII and have since become ubiquitous. They are found in various products, from carpet and couches to non-stick cookware. The process of spreading biosolids, or "sludge," on prime American cropland has led to the contamination of farmland and the food chain.

Epidemiologist Patrick MacRoy explains how PFAS enters the food chain through crops and animals. At no point does the EPA require sludge to be tested for PFAS before being spread on farmland, leading to a serious problem.

The Paper Trail and Chemical Companies' Knowledge

NewsNation's investigation reveals a "shell game" played by chemical companies. Documents show that they knew about the harm of PFAS chemicals as early as the 1950s and 1960s but kept the information secret. Court filings show that 3M and DuPont were aware of the risks but continued to produce and use these chemicals.

It wasn't until decades later that the full extent of the problem was revealed. In 2023, a multi-billion dollar federal settlement was reached over PFAS contamination in our nation's tap water.

The Role of the EPA

The EPA has been criticized for its slow response to the PFAS problem. Epidemiologist Patrick MacRoy calls for the EPA to require testing for PFAS before putting sludge on farmland. Radhika Fox, then-assistant administrator for water at EPA, said the agency is taking action now but still allows sludging to continue without testing requirements.

In April 2024, the Biden-Harris administration issued the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect 100 million people from PFAS pollution.

A Celebration at Misty Brook Farm

After 11 months of contamination, Brendan and Katia Holmes at Misty Brook Farm are finally able to sell milk again. They took immediate action when they discovered PFAS in their milk and have been working hard to ensure the safety of their products.

They borrowed money to buy uncontaminated cows and have been praying that no contamination comes back. Their story is one of resilience in the face of a difficult challenge.

Update on Farmers Surviving PFAS Contamination

Brendan and Katia Holmes are still selling milk at Misty Brook Farms, but they remain vigilant. Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis sold their farm to the Maine Farmland Trust for research purposes. Fred and Laura Stone received new test results showing that their cows and farmland are contaminated, and they are facing a significant debt.

Maine has made significant progress in addressing PFAS contamination, becoming the first state to ban sludging and the sale of PFAS-containing products. However, 48 states still continue to sludge.