Thrown to the Wolves…
By: Michelle
I had the opportunity to sit in on a guest lecture by Gene Baur, co-founder of Farm Sanctuary and hear his viewpoints on animal agriculture. The audience consisted of a mixed group of ag students and faculty with most of them never having the opportunity to hear from someone on the otherside. If one was an average consumer and had little to no education about the livestock industry, then Mr. Baur’s discussion would have been very convincing and seemingly factual. Mr. Baur is a dynamic public speaker when it comes to feeding off of his audience’s emotions and guiding the discussion where he wants it, but that’s the only positive thing I could see, if you can even call it positive.
What Mr. Baur had to say differed completely from what his website had to say about what their organization was all about. The website presents a viewpoint saying that the organization is focused on “raising awareness about the negative consequences of industrialized factory farming and our cheap food system”. Today he discussed his advocacy for going vegan and that the ultimate goal of stamping out animal agriculture completely. While he stands on his soapbox of his own personal beliefs, the foundation of his speech was based on weak, unreliable science. And despite persistant questioning from several members in the audience, he seemed to always find a way to avoid answering the question and going back to his personal agenda.
The few audience members that could see Mr. Baur’s true colors were disappointed and disgusted. What concerned me the most, however, was that there were many ag students sitting in there absolutely confused as to what to think, let alone what to say or ask.
I feel fortunate to have had my experience as a Beef Ambassador and to be able to really see how public relations works on both sides of this particular issue. Also having the training and skills to be able to address people such as Mr. Baur is essential to telling our story.
But what about the rest of the students in that room? Some of these kids haven’t even seen the otherside and don’t have enough of a knowledge base to support their own cause. To have a powerful activist leader such as Mr. Baur come and speak to these students is like throwing these kids to the wolves. While the experience is important and being aware of the other side is essential, I think some preparation and perhaps even a practice session would have been much better than what had happened.
I guess my point out of all of this is don’t bite off more than you can chew, especially when it comes to something you really care about. In this case of defending animal agriculture, where the industry is dependant on consumer tastes and preferences, good speaking skills and research to back it up is key to having a productive discussion with anyone, vegan or not.
“his speech was based on weak, unreliable science” - Really? Have you never read - Livestock’s Long Shadow?, Rethinking the Meat Guzzler? or the most recent, disturbing PEW study?
I’m reading through your 6 paragraphs of negative remarks to find something here “substantial” enough to respond to - talk about “vague”.
But, I’ll throw this out in absence of any seriously debatable argument here - The American public has been duped into believing all the lies presented by Animal Agriculture industries - From the EPA turning a blind eye to factory farms to the mythical concept of “humane” slaughter. The propaganda that “meat” is necessary (or even beneficial) to human health is being exposed daily. Between the methane emmissions to manure lagoons - from frequent meat recalls to the issues of heart disease. It’s becoming obvious that a plant based diet is choice for the environment and for health….. and certainly better for the animals, you and your ilk claim as “commodities”.
“Throwing kids to the wolves?” The truth about the meat industry and government sponsership: more like “wolves in sheep’s clothing” I’d say….
For health & heart - Go VEGAN!
I’d be interested to know what exactly wasn’t factual about my presentation. I cite various sources and have more than 20 years experience with these issues (along with a masters degree in agricultural ecomonics from Cornell University) to support my statements. I am very interested in an open dialogue.
Thanks!
You make a really good point Michelle. This past year I have come to realize that there are several things about agriculture that I don’t even understand. We have to realize that we must be prepared to fight for what we believe is right and stand up and speak for agriculture, but in order to do that, we must first be equipped with the knowledge and skill that will make the general public believe in our message.
Michelle: I sympathize with your position. On my blog, we try very hard to sort through the rhetoric and often unfounded claims (usually some from both sides of the issues). I see so many misrepresentations and half-truths perpetuated as being “true” because they are a quote from someone else, but there is little real science behind them.
On the ag side, we have to be willing to take a hard look at what we are doing before we can defend it. Many of the hottest issues have a basis in legitimate concern on the part of our consumers. Only when we acknowledge the grain of truth that underlies many of the extreme positions, can we be in a position to address them.
Well although Bea and Gene have different perpectives here I think that there are a few misrepresentations they present, if anything animal agriculture is misrepresented from a negative standpoint constantly as a result of lack of true knowledge. Those who claim negatives against agriculture are not those who are involved in it everyday and although they may have so called education, they don’t have the true experience of what really is involved in the day to day operations on farms and ranches. So although I respect your view points folks, I don’t understand them because your so called citations do not come from those who live eat sleep and breathe agriculture everyday of thier lives, that where the the truth lies. Check on the other side of the story before you critisize a lifestyle, love and way of living that we as agriculturalists enjoy.
I appreciate and share Sara’s interest in sorting through unfounded claims and assumptions, and identifying legitimate issues.
And, I appreciate Caitlin’s comment about her not understanding animal advocates, but I’d ask her not to assume that we do not ‘check on the other side’ before criticizing it. I have lived in rural America immersed in farming culture for more than 20 years. It’s important to better understand each other and not rush to rash judgments, and I’d welcome Caitlin or anybody else to come vist Farm Sanctuary if they’d like.