I recently spoke at a book store in West Chester, Pennsylvania, not far from where Farm Sanctuary began (our first office was in Wilmington, DE, and our first shelter was in Avondale, PA). 

Among those in attendance was a large animal veterinarian, who openly shared his concerns about the inhumane treatment of farm animals.  He grew up in agriculture, and mentioned that his father and grandfather had disagreements, and that his grandfather opposed some of the changes that his father wanted to implement.

I am for change and “progress,” but I also think it’s important to define what is meant by “progress.” Unlike many dairy farmers, for example, I don’t think getting more milk out of a cow is necessarily “progress,” especially when doing so comes with significant costs (eg. higher feed costs, sick and abused animals, pus and drugs in milk). 

The so-called “progress” our farming system purports to have made in recent decades has also wrought serious problems, which need to be evaluated and critically assessed.  I think real progress would be to create a farming system that provides healthy, affordable food in a just, sustainable manner that is aligned with our highest ethical aspirations. And, I believe community-oriented, plant-based agriculture is the way to achieve this.