Environmental and community health advocates from North Carolina and across the country gathered at New Bern's Convention Center Monday. The event kicked off a three day national summit on concentrated animal-feeding operations.

Chairman of the Waterkeeper Alliance and well-known environmental advocate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr spoke about the impacts of North Carolina's hog industry on the environment and public health. The summit will also feature workshops and panels on strengthening environmental protections and promoting sustainable, alternative forms of livestock production.

Kennedy says that family hog farmers are being controlled by big corporations and not being given financial help to dispose of animal waste.

An archive of on-camera interviews with neighbors, factory farm workers, and advocates on the impacts of industrial agriculture on individuals, families and communities was also presented.