Organic farmer seeks $210,000 after cows defecate on crops

PORTLAND – An organic farm is seeking $210,000 from a neighboring dairy after cows escaped and defecated on the farm’s crops.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that a lawsuit filed by Simington Gardens claims they had to throw out contaminated winter squash and leafy greens and to shut down the field for four months because of the cows from Rock Ridge Farms. Both farms are located in Aurora, located south of Portland.

According to court documents, cows from Rock Ridge escaped their gated enclosure in April 2014. After several hours they were wrangled back to the dairy, but Simington Gardens says the damage was already done.

Oregon Tilth organic policies prohibit the use of raw manure on plants intended for eating.

Officials with Rock Ridge Farm declined to comment but said they work to be good neighbors.