For as long as anyone can remember, farmers and ranchers have been the front-line stewards of animal welfare, with an abiding personal and professional interest in the healthy and humane treatment of their livestock. Yet too rarely are the words “farm” and “humane” found in the same sentence anymore, despite significant advances in humane agriculture and the positive traditional role played by those entrusted with their welfare.
Just before the start of the new year, American Humane Association went to Capitol Hill with famed chefs, farmers and leaders in the food industry to take part in a Congressional Briefing on “The Humane Heartland.” Hosted by the Congressional Humane Bond Caucus, the briefing outlined advances in human agriculture, called on the American public to support humane farming practices, and celebrated farmers and ranchers who not only put food on our families’ tables, but who work to put the “heart” in “heartland” by providing food that is safe, abundant, affordable and humanely raised under ethical, common sense and scientifically demonstrated standards.