A new leader has been named to oversee the welfare of some one billion animals on U.S. farms and ranches, and dramatically expand the nation's first, largest, and fastest-growing certification program protecting animals in agriculture. American Humane Association, the country's oldest national humane organization, announced the appointment of animal welfare expert Michelle Ganci as national director of its Humane Heartland program, which through the American Humane Certified farm animal welfare program applies rigorous science-based standards and independent third-party auditing to ensure that animals on more than 8,000 farms are provided with sufficient space, proper and healthful living conditions, humane treatment, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors. More than 200 standards for each species have been developed and are continually updated to reflect best practices by a Scientific Advisory Committee of renowned animal experts including Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Joy Mench and other notables in the field.
Ganci, who will begin her duties on October 1, comes to American Humane Association with a rich and varied background as an educator, researcher, advisor, and animal science specialist with ample hands-on experience developing and administering animal welfare programs for large agricultural entities involving hundreds of millions of farm animals. With a focus in poultry science, Ganci's work spans the academic and agricultural industry worlds. She currently serves as a faculty member and lecturer in the Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education at California State University, Fresno, where she teaches courses on animals in society, poultry science, animal health and welfare, the human-animal bond, and animal-assisted therapy. She was a central part of developing the nation's first research center to be certified by American Humane Association, and has been involved in creating curricula and educational outreach information for schools and a wide variety of audiences on subjects related to animal welfare and the sustainability of agriculture.