In the past few years, legislators have proposed farm protection legislation, with the intention of putting a dent in activists’ ability to break the law. These farm protection bills however have been given a powerful label by those who oppose them – they are referred to by opponents as “ag-gag” laws, and I’m really concerned…
During my last trip to Costco I discovered a new hobby: reading egg carton labels. Now, before you call me a weird person without a life, let me explain. Animal Rights and Animal Agriculture Since I’ve started my internship at the Alliance, I have become a lot more conscious of animal rights groups and how they…
Two weeks ago, I posted my first blog for the Alliance. My previous post focused on the idea that agricultural communication IS political communication and activist groups are currently doing a much better job than agriculturalists at communicating to the general public. I also talked about the concept of framing. Communication of all types, especially…
When a farmer wants to tell his story, you listen (and take notes if you’re a communications intern). David Gevry recently contacted the Alliance about wanting to share what he’s been up to on his farm and I was thrilled. My favorite assignments in college always happened out of the classroom when I was able to…
Before I get into the nerdy stuff, let me introduce myself. My name is Jennifer Weinberg and I am studying Political Communication at The George Washington University. My family and I own a small beef cattle operation in Central New Jersey and have been members of both the feedlot and show cattle industries since the…
In February, the top individuals and clubs in the 2014 College Aggies Online Scholarship Program traveled to Arkansas to visit with program sponsor Tyson Foods, Inc. Lauren Schlothauer, a student at New Mexico State University who earned second place individual in the competition, joins us as a guest blogger this week to share about the…
Before I begin, let me introduce myself. My name is Casey Whitaker and I graduated from Auburn University in December with a degree in agricultural communication before moving back home to Centreville, Virginia to intern with the Animal Agriculture Alliance. I am extremely fortunate to have landed an internship so soon after college and doing what…
Earlier this month, we posted a blog pertaining to our great #farmtopork blogger tour (http://animalagengage.com/2014/10/02/farm-to-pork-blogger-tour/). Since then, these extremely talented bloggers have continued to write amazing blogs about where their meat comes from. If you want to check out any of the new blogs (which we highly recommend!), click the links below. Kirsten Wright, The…
My grandfather always told my sisters and me to treat the cows like ladies because that is exactly what they are. He taught us to respect all of our animals, treat them well, and keep them happy. Those ladies deserved that. Without them, we would be nothing as farmers and as consumers. With lessons like…
When I picture hunger, real hunger, I imagine those commercials about helping the kids in Africa. It’s heart-wrenching how much people have to endure in other parts of the world. I feel so lucky to live in a country where we are above such turmoil and suffering. Except, I don’t. In most of the places…
Growing up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore means that, as a local, your family are either farmers or watermen. My family fell into the former category. My Pop-Pop and my Dad always told my sisters and me that we were fifth generation dairy farmers on the Delmarva Peninsula, and the only reason they probably never claimed…
Nothing defines ‘Merica quite like bacon. It’s everywhere you look in this great country, and I am a-okay with that! I’ll even admit that I bought a bacon scented candle a year or so ago and it was amazing until it made me too hungry too work and while writing this article, I found a…
