Slow Money Farm (blog)
Why Animal Rights Gets More Attention than Farming
July 31, 2010
http://slowmoneyfarm.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/why-animal-rights-gets-more-attention-than-farming/

I haven’t totally figured it out other than it’s been an education in
comparison. Pet people tired of their pets turn them loose (against
the recommendation of breeders!) on a British Columbia campus. The
numbers increase. A move is made to reduce numbers…and the politically
correct begins.

Over 1,400 rabbits at even three pounds each dressed feeds a lot of
people! Feed dogs at shelters or raptors at conservation programs that
are always seeking donations! Instead…no…chemical euthanasia so
nothing can eat the meat. Then the all stops rescue begins…and $50,000
is donated to spay these 1400 rabbits and import them from Canada to
ship them to Texas to a sanctuary.

Meanwhile protesters continue to take up the issue of selling 4-H
projects because there’s money involved. Many charge that to teach
field to plate the 4-H kids should witness the slaughtering of the
livestock they know are being sold for meat.

Meanwhile a church group that killed and ate meat rabbits a year ago
is in the spotlight for cruelty for “bludgeoning” (hitting behind the
head – an acceptable and even recommended means of slaughter for the
instant kill) the rabbits with children present – teaching skills of
food preparation. In the last year no one complained.The comments on
the news page attacks Christians as a cult, claiming cruelty and child
abuse/endangerment!

If you think a vegan food agenda isn’t a target look at those three
things again, all current stories. Then I think of the battle to raise
even $1,000 to support agriculture and preserve choice in people’s
food supply. Many involved in agriculture have retweeted and spread
the links. For the most part from the ‘small farmers are best
banner’…crickets. People by action simply do not care. Until they are
hungry they won’t care…and like it or not things cost money. I haven’t
found a free running vehicle yet so that will cost money. The fees
cost money, and the rental of places to hold events costs money.

Yet farmers, from 4-Hers with a pig on up to full time farmers – are
expected to do it for free. Those pigs and lambs are “pets.” Just like
rabbits are “pets.” Now there will likely be campaigns to ‘save the
bunnies’ and more than $50,000 will be raised.

It occurs to me that they get attention because they care enough to
speak up. The average consumer as long as there is food in the stores,
$5 or $10 to help a farm is too much money. For animal rights
supporters $20-30-50 is not too much to help a feral bunny or dairy
cow or pig – as long as the money isn’t going to the farmer.

That is the reality dear reader. And the longer the majority remain
silent the more laws are passed. Think the health care and immigration
debates are bad? Wait until it’s food. It’s coming. Many of us in
agriculture are trying to teach now – but too many just don’t care, or
don’t want to part with pocket change. Those who see the value do…I
just wonder if there’s enough of us out here.

We’re pushing/begging for support throughout these last hours just to
get the conference fee covered in time. And thinking about those
against fur and meat who eagerly finance their choices.