In Defense of Farmers

I recently posted a video such as the one above on my Facebook feed, with a note that this sort of behavior was horrific, etc. I received an interesting comment which inspired this post. My commenter stated that not all farmers are “bad” and that these kinds of videos only show a little clip, so we don’t really know what else goes on. It was also suggested that people only need to make a living, etc. I need to unpack that a little.

First, I absolutely agree that not all farmers treat their animals like they do in some of the (MANY) videos that PETA and other animal rights organizations have recorded during undercover operations. That said, I don’t care if pigs, chickens, and cows are given personal massages and manicures every day of their short lives if the “farmer” is only going to slaughter them in the end. People don’t need to eat meat to survive. (I am living proof of that…happily vegan for 12 years now.)

Second, the argument that people working in dairy, meat packing, etc. are “only trying to make a living” does not wash. Times change and people have to adapt. If the world goes vegan (heaven!) then people working in dairy and meat will have to change and work in a different field. When cars were invented, they weren’t forever banned to save the jobs of the horse and carriage riders. In addition, I think it’s important to point out that there are lots of perfectly legal jobs that I find appalling, that I would never want to save simply because “that person needs to make a living.” Just a few examples:

• Televangelist: Frauds taking advantage of people, particularly right from their wallets, without any benefit to anyone but themselves. I’d love to find an exception, but it hasn’t happened yet.
• Telemarketers: I hate random telephone calls with people selling things. This goes double for people showing up at the front door selling stuff I don’t want or need.
• Executioners: Really, the guy who has to kill people on death row. Just doing his job, right?
• Dishonest politicians: I guess I don’t really need to add a description to this one.

In the end, employees working in factory farms, the dairy industry, and meat packing plants can choose to do something else. Big farms can opt to close, and the best part is that they do. My favorite example is “Rowdy Girl Sanctuary.” Once upon a time, this amazing animal sanctuary was a working cattle ranch! If this wonderful organization managed to make the switch in Texas of all places, others can too! Here’s a little clip about Rowdy Girl:

So, it’s time to make a change. And, that change starts on your plate. Ditch the meat. Ditch the dairy. Go vegan today.

If you have recently made the change, be sure to leave me a comment. I’d love to hear all about it! Be inspired. 🙂