I’m excited to announce that my blog has received a “facelift” and joined Farm Sanctuary’s family of blogs on Typepad. Right now, we are in the process of importing all my prior blog posts to the new site. This will be my last post here, so please bookmark the new blog site as soon as you can. 

If you include me on your blog roll, I would greatly appreciate it if you could re-add the new address. And please click here to subscribe to the new blog site’s RSS feed. 

The future holds important work for us to do to protect farm animals and promote a sensible agriculture system and compassionate living. Thank you for reading my blog and allowing me to share my thoughts and views with you. 

I look forward to your comments and input on the blogs to come. 

Gene

I’ve been in New York City and Los Angeles recently, seeing humans and other animals hanging out in parks and at street side cafés, jumping into cabs or entering houses or apartment buildings and living together in these largely concrete urban environments. The animals connect and commiserate with each other, which often inspires humans to do the same. The animals, mainly dogs, are clearly people’s friends and companions, and for the most part, both human and nonhuman animals appear to have adapted to living on unnatural paved ground amid concrete, metal, and glass skyscrapers.

Companion animals living in the city enrich our lives. They are loved and cherished even though they don’t get a chance to run freely in the countryside. Of course, farm animals live in rural areas, but they are confined in factory farms unable to run freely or exercise, or even to enjoy fresh air. Nor do most farm animals experience human kindness. They are abused and denigrated out of public view, and their flesh is consumed mindlessly out of habit, often by the same people who love their cats and dogs.

Seeing companion animals with their human wards at quaint street side cafés in cities engenders a feeling of peace and interconnectedness between human and nonhuman animals. Both appear comfortable and contented. But, unfortunately, the respect and camaraderie these particular animals enjoy is denied to billions of others whose suffering is ignored. I’m reminded of Farm Sanctuary’s first bumper sticker, which read “If you love animals called pets, why do you eat animals called dinner?”

We’re in the middle of summer here in the Finger Lakes region of rural New York, amidst bustling farmer’s markets and peaceful “pick your own” orchards and fields, which exemplify Earth’s bounty and the simple beauty of eating plants instead of animals. In the evening fireflies trail across the landscape, and at sunrise, hummingbirds (who had migrated from Mexico) begin their rounds, collecting nectar. It’s a beautiful time of year in this part of the world.

Last weekend, I attended Farm Sanctuary’s Country Hoe Down in Watkins Glen, NY where people pitched tents and camped out, enjoyed great vegan food and time with the animals, listened to inspiring and informational presentations, and danced and communed around the campfire late into the night. It is a joyful, welcoming event, and the feeling of community is palpable. Some Hoe Down attendees were longtime vegans. Others were not, though I hope and suspect many will eat fewer (or no) animal foods after their Hoe Down experience.

The hundreds of chickens, turkeys, pigs, sheep, cows, and other animals living at Farm Sanctuary represent and “speak” for the less fortunate members of their species who remain locked up in factory farms. We can connect directly with these cherished individuals living at Farm Sanctuary, and then remember the billions of animals who will never know a peaceful sanctuary, feel the warm sunshine, breathe fresh air, or experience human kindness.

Farm Sanctuary is a place of hope, where vegan is normal, and visitors are inspired to live conscientiously. Of course, the best thing each of us can do to make a difference for animals, as well as ourselves and the planet, is to adopt a vegan lifestyle, and eat food from plants instead of animals. And there is no better time to start than in the sweet summertime.

Animal advocates want to change the way farm animals are treated, while agribusiness tends to defend the cruel status quo. But it’s important to recognize that farm organizations’ perspectives vary, just as different animal protection groups have different approaches.

Although animal advocates are animated by diverse perspectives, we’ve been able to join forces on common purpose, to push forward with achievable goals, such as banning cruel factory farming confinement systems like veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages. With each legislative advance and with growing mainstream awareness about and opposition to these inhumane systems, farmers and agriculture groups are responding. Some are beginning to recognize that change is inevitable, but industry hardliners are digging in their heels and trying to maintain the status quo.

I recently visited Ohio and Michigan and met with agribusiness representatives to express concern about legislation they are advancing in both states to set up quasi governmental bodies to give the factory farming industry control over regulating how it should treat animals. These measures are a blatant violation of democratic principals, just as factory farming cruelties are an affront to basic humane sensibilities. On both counts, industrial farming is out of sync with mainstream societal values.

We are urging lawmakers and others in Michigan and Ohio to oppose or amend agribusiness’ extreme bills so they better reflect popular sentiments. Though factory farms have an inordinate amount of influence in Lansing and Columbus (as well as in other state capitols), and they are often unwilling to compromise, we remain hopeful.

If the legislature fails to take appropriate action, we’ll have to explore other options, and there is a good chance these matters could be addressed through direct democracy, such as the ballot initiative. Stay tuned …

The factory farming industry has a lot to hide, and when its harmful behavior is exposed, there are inevitable calls for change. Industrial animal agriculture’s practices are irresponsible and repugnant, and out of step with mainstream values. But rather than reflecting and adjusting its behavior to be more aligned with societal norms, industrial animal agriculture is trying to prevent transparency and public discourse.

Agribusiness would do well to remember that it depends on consumers to buy its products, and it should not ignore the old adage: “the only constant is change.” Thus far, there have been three statewide citizen initiatives to address the cruel confinement of animals on farms in the U.S. In all three instances, voters sent a clear message that confining animals in cages and crates so tightly that they cannot turn around or stretch their limbs is unacceptable. But some aggies still don’t get it.

Rather than adapting its practices to fit societal norms and consumer expectations, the factory farming industry continues attempting to squelch public discussion and the democratic process. This industry is seeking to pass misguided legislation to give itself control over how farm animals are treated . This is bad for animal welfare and an affront to basic democratic principals. But unfortunately, it is typical of an industry that engages in cruel and aberrant behavior that cannot stand the light of day.

This July 4th, Farm Sanctuary will be hosting our annual Pignics in Orland, California and Watkins Glen, New York where visitors will have a chance to try meatless hotdogs and other vegan treats, and to meet rescued farm animals. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has sent out a press release warning consumers to be careful about pathogens in meat. "Safe food handling is always important, but during peak grilling season in the warm summer months, there needs to be an increased awareness of safe food handling practices," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Of course, eating plants instead of animals is a good way to reduce the risk of contamination since plants don’t produce fecal pathogens.

Hopefully you can come to a Farm Sanctuary Pignic, but if not, please think about bringing a Pignic to your town by hosting a vegan event for July 4th, or by bringing veggie dogs, veggie burgers, veggie chicken patties, veggie skewers, etc. to other festivities. In 1776, American revolutionaries resolved to throw off the tyranny and exploitation of their overlords. Today, we can make a statement against factory farming and the cruel exploitation of the animals raised for food by declaring our independence from eating animal products.

I was able to see Food, Inc. over the weekend, and it was great to see that the theater was packed. The film’s popularity suggests we’re in the midst of a burgeoning food movement in the United States as consumers are finally learning about the abuses of factory farming and the importance of making informed food choices.

Food, Inc. doesn’t explicitly promote a vegan lifestyle, but it does urge consumers to make a difference “one bite at a time.” Among several recommendations, the film urges citizens to plant a garden (even a small one) and to shop at farmer’s markets. The movie shows footage of chickens, pigs and cattle kept on industrialized farms, along with other affronts to animal welfare. A non-industrialized farmer is interviewed and criticizes factory farming. He describes how confined animals are more likely to be contaminated and diseased, and that people who mistreat animals are also more likely to mistreat humans. Ironically, he’s making these comments while chickens are being slaughtered at his farm and he’s pulling out their guts on camera.

The film also talks about how agribusiness bullies farmers and citizens who challenge the status quo, including through costly litigation and promoting laws to make it illegal to take photos at factory farms. Factory farming requires secrecy to continue as it has, but Food, Inc. is helping promote more discussion and awareness. That’s a very good thing.

The school year is over, but there are still activities on campuses wherein volunteers, students, and others are engaged in the noble practice of growing their own food. Earlier this week, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a school in southeast Washington, DC to help “create and unveil an edible "Good Food Garden" that will bring healthy, fresh and nutritious food to children from underserved communities in the nation's capital.” Meanwhile, a Baltimore, MD newspaper article described burgeoning efforts to grow and supply healthy fruits and vegetables to school children in that city and beyond.

More and more people are coming to realize the profound consequences of our unhealthy food system. The way we eat contributes to some of the most pressing health problems in our country including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Sadly, our federal school lunch and nutrition programs have served to exacerbate these problems at tax payer expense, and they are in desperate need of reform. Children should be encouraged to consume fruits, vegetables and other healthful plant foods, rather than animal products, and as the child nutrition act is addressed in Washington, DC over the coming year, we need to be in touch with our elected representatives and senators and make our concerns known. You can take action on this important issue here.

There is a growing awareness and opposition to the inhumane treatment of animals on factory farms. To placate concerns, food industry groups are coming up with various labeling schemes to market meat, milk and eggs by suggesting that farm animals are being treated humanely. But, these labels tend to misrepresent the reality and do not ensure that animals are treated well.

Farm Sanctuary’s newly updated report, “The Truth Behind the Labels: Farm Animal Welfare Standards and Labeling Practices” shines a light on the suffering behind animal products labeled as “organic,” “natural,” and “free range.” It is timely information for consumers who are interested in making food choices that are consistent with compassionate values.

The recent cases of swine flu have brought attention to the connection and communicability of animal and human pathogens. Filthy, overcrowded factory farm operations are a breeding ground for disease and contribute to the development of virulent pathogens and emerging health threats. 

Alarmingly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) knowingly allows diseased animals to enter the human food supply. USDA slaughterhouse records obtained by Farm Sanctuary under the Freedom of Information Act show that animals with hepatitis, pneumonia, malignant lymphoma, peritonitis and other ailments have been approved for human food. 

Unfortunately, the USDA and most agribusinesses have taken a “don’t look, don’t find” approach to diseases on factory farms. After the discovery of mad cow disease in the U.S., a slaughterhouse in Kansas wanted to test all their animals for mad cow disease. But, amazingly, the USDA went to court to prevent the testing. As Dr. Allan Kornberg, a public health expert and Farm Sanctuary board member, points out in his new article on swine flu, the Canadian pigs found to have likely contracted H1N1 from a farm worker were found because Canadian farmers must report cases of swine flu to the government. In the U.S. swine flu reporting is voluntary, which leaves the industry to self-regulate. 

Influenza and other diseases afflict animals on today’s factory farms and as disease causing microbes continue to evolve, there will likely be other stains that jump from farm animals to infect humans. It’s time to put an end to the spread of factory farming and for the USDA and agribusiness to openly acknowledge the extent to which diseases are present on today’s farms. We can only solve problems when we address them.