January 11, 2012
Agriculture Proud
“Containers of accelerant were placed beneath a row of 14 trucks with four digital timers used to light four of the containers and kerosene soaked rope carrying the fire to the other 10,” the e-mail said.
“We were extremely pleased to see all 14 trucks ‘were a total loss,’ ” the message said.
“We’re not delusional enough to believe that this action will shut down the Harris feeding company, let alone have any effect on factory farming as a whole,” the e-mail said. “But we maintain that this type of action still has worth, if not solely for the participant’s peace of mind, then to show that despite guards, a constant worker presence and razor wire fence, the enemy is still vulnerable.
The e-mail ended with, “Until next time.” –Excerpt San Francisco Chronicle
Yesterday afternoon, my Facebook feed filled up with this story shared by several friends. My first reaction – disgust . It’s yet another example of radical behavior from people who do not know the true story of American livestock and food production. They drive down the roads and see the MFA videos and take those as truth. What. A. Shame.
A group of California activists are laying claim to the destruction of 14 cattle haulers at the Harris Ranch property in the California San Joaquin Valley. The Harris Ranch is a family owned, gate to plate company, that prides itself with more than 40 years in food production. Be sure to take this virtual tour from Harris Ranch to learn more about where their cattle come from and how their family operation brings beef to your table.
Now, I was not familiar with Harris Ranch before this story broke, but after a brief google search I found the company’s website, and loads of information about their diversified operations; natural beef production, cattle feeding, hospitality, and horse division. Plus, after asking a few friends from that area in California, I hear they are even open to tours of their place. Isn’t this what consumers are asking for? A family company, transparency about food production, fewer hands between pasture and plate, and willingness to open a dialogue? And for the critics of their size, that’s a free-market for ya. Supply and Demand.
Now I know the actions from these truck-torching activists are on the extreme side (they even call themselves the 1%), but they’re not alone. The North American Animal Liberation Press Office shares stories from these “ underground activists ” all the time.
If you’re like me, I first asked “What is Animal Liberation ?” Here’s how NAALPO describes it:
The Animal Liberation movement is a loosely-associated collection of cells of people who intentionally violate the law in order to free animals from captivity and the horrors of exploitation. As activists in one cell do not know activists in another cell, their non-hierarchical structure and anonymity prevents legal authorities from breaking up the organization. Animal Liberation activists break into any building or compound – be it a fur farm or university laboratory – in order to release and/or rescue animals. They also destroy property in order to prevent further harm done to animals and to weaken exploitation industries economically. Their actions have damaged many operations, shut down others, and prevented still others from ever forming for fear of attack. They may also utilize intimidation to prevent further animal abuse and murder. Read more here .
It’s just another reminder of why we ALL need to stand up and tell the true story of crop and animal agriculture. We each have a unique voice and can connect to non-ag consumers in our own manners. After all, we’re producing food for our own plates too. 2% feeding 100%.
Comments:
Nebraska Farm Wife January 11, 2012 10:46 AM
I felt my heart sink as I was reading this post. It amazes me that some folks want to end “factory farming” but yet attack a family farm. A family that after a little research seems to be doing a good job taking care of their animals and promoting what they do for a living.
Jerry Vlasak January 12, 2012 1:48 PM
Family operation, huh? 100,000 cows standing around in their own excrement, waiting to be hauled off to a slaughterhouse where their throats will be slit while they are hanging upside down, often fully conscious? Not the kind of family I’d want to know.
Ever drive by their place on I-5 and smell the stench of their “family farm”? Meanwhile, 2000 gallons of water and 14 pounds of grain are used to produce every pound of “meat”, an unsustainable environmental atrocity in itself. Oh, and then half of the meat-eating public goes on to die of heart disease, known to be facilitated by a meat-based diet and prevented by a plant-based one.
Go figure!
Megan Brown January 12, 2012 6:58 PM 
Jerry,
It’s clear from your comment above you are not familiar with Harris Ranch in the least, or for that matter, modern ag practices. I am a family farmer (6th generation actually) that sells my animals to Harris Ranch. I’ve been to the feedlot and through the slaughter house. And you know what? It was fabulous! My cattle were healthy and happy. The plant was clean and run in a manner that was low stress and promoted the animals well being.
If you took the time to listen to those who are producing the food and fiber in this country you would learn something. Accusing us of environmental atrocities and abuse will give you no credibility or respect. You are not helping your cause by attacking farmers and ranchers. If you want to be taken seriously, use this opportunity to learn what you are talking about. Thank you.
Jerry Vlasak January 13, 2012 12:44 AM
“Your” cattle were “healthy and happy” right up until the moment, while still young adults, they were hit in the head with a captive bolt gun, then hoisted up by their hind legs with a chain (unconscious if they were one of the lucky ones) then had their throats slit and bled to death. Why? So some human being could sell their flesh for a profit and others could enjoy the taste of their bodies. The violence you are willing to perpetrate against innocent non-human animals gives the actions of animal liberationists its true nobility.