As I rode the metro into D.C. this morning for my first day as an intern with the Animal Agriculture Alliance, I wondered how many people had spent their weekend trekking through mud and cow manure to bring up the cows for milking and feeding. I’m more than the sure that the answer was no…
Yesterday, PETA struck again. This time they are attempting to slander a family farm in North Carolina. Blogger and dairy farmer, Dairy Carrie wrote an excellent blog explaining the truth behind the video. If you know anyone who believes that PETA’s work is beneficial to the welfare of animals or worse, they believe PETA speaks…
After attending the Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) Conference. I was convinced I knew what to expect from a trip to Los Angeles to attend the National Animal Rights Conference but, I was wrong. The first indicator of this was seeing the same presenters from TAFA, representatives from all…
Last week, I gave an overview of some of the more general misconceptions presented at the FARM Animal Rights National Conference that I attended during my internship here at the Animal Agriculture Alliance. As I am studying to become a veterinarian, I want to break down some of the over-simplified misconceptions presented at the conference.…
Whether it is the grocery store isle or a sorority function you can ‘bet the farm’ that I will be ready to explain, discuss and sadly, in some cases, defend animal agriculture. I have a true passion for the animal industry. I can’t help it, animal agriculture has surrounded my entire life, I mean I…
As a rising senior at the University of Vermont studying Animal Science, I have made it my priority to study the health and husbandry required by all animal species. My desire to become a veterinarian has been fueled by my exposure to amazing professionals that are the hero to every single one of their patients. …
Imagine a time with no Internet (or online shopping), no smart phones, no laptops or iPads. Correspondence outside of the office took three-days to be received and at best another three days for a reply to be received back, unless by phone (land line of course) or fax (if you even know what that is…
Best management practice is to maintain your farm and herd in a way that reduces or eliminates introduction and transmittance of pathogens. Biosecurity is this best practice, and it is something everyone who works with animals should be familiar with – in particular, those working with livestock. Food safety is essential for farmers and ranchers…
What exactly is a GMO? Is it big brother at work? Is every GM corn kernel really a chip that will imbed into our brains and turn us into the undead? Well, judging by the bias of some popular media, that seems possible. Overwhelmed by the constant battling between those for and against genetically modified…
Regina George is the alpha of the Plastics, a clique of popular girls setting the trends and manipulating their fellow high school classmates. So what does George, the antagonist in the popular 2004 movie Mean Girls have to do with Agriculture? Meet Steve Ells, founder of the 1993 born, burrito making food chain Chipotle. As…
Before I moved to D.C. a few weeks ago, my family had just finished lambing out our ewes for the 2014 show season. With each set of lambs come a flutter of excitement, potential, and the possibility of raising the “one”, which is very sought after in the stock show industry. At a few weeks…
Growing up on a farm I have always been very aware of where my food comes. I have been known to freak out my “non-farm” friends by bringing up subjects that were part of the normal conversation around my household. I distinctly remember my freshman year in college when I asked my suite-mate if she…
