About

FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) is a national nonprofit organization promoting a vegan lifestyle through public education and grassroots activism to end the use of animals for food. FARM believes in the inherent self-worth of animals, as well as environmental protection and enhanced public health. We operate from just outside of the Washington, DC area and work through our Compassionate Activist Network (CAN) with volunteers in all 50 states and two dozen other countries.

Please explore our web site, then Get Active with FARM!

Programs

Since our beginning in 1976 and official formation in 1981, FARM has launched a variety of grassroots campaigns in pursuit of our mission: World Farm Animals Day (1983), Great American Meatout (1985), Gentle Thanksgiving, CHOICE School Lunch (1991), Letters from FARM (1994), Sabina Fund (1997), Vegan Earth Day, Well-Fed World (Global Hunger Solutions), Bite Global Warming,  Equal Justice Alliance and FARM Underground.

These reflect FARM’s strategy of pursuing dietary and agricultural reforms on the local, national and international levels simultaneously.

In addition, FARM conducts movement-wide programs, like the Animal Rights National Conference. Every summer between 1981 and 1987, then in 1997, and every year since 2000, FARM has been organizing national conferences that turn concerned individuals into effective animal advocates. Currently, the conferences alternate between the East Coast (Washington, DC) on the even years and the West Coast (California) on the odd years.

Progress

Over the past few decades, public awareness of the benefits of plant-based eating and farmed animal abuse has grown substantially:

• Over 30 million Americans have explored a vegetarian diet
• Consumption of beef and veal have dropped by 30 and 70 percent, respectively
• Many fast food chains and some major food processors now offer meatless options
• Mainstream public health organizations are promoting a plant-based diet
• 93 percent of consumers oppose farmed animal abuse and 80 percent favor government regulations
• Three states have enacted farmed animal protection regulations and two regulatory initiatives are pending in Congress

Consequently, FARM’s tactics include a combination of confrontation and discussion. While we occasionally engage in and/or encourage civil disobedience at slaughterhouses and similar attention-getting devices, the majority of our efforts are grassroots educational campaigns, massive media blitzes, and participation in government decision-making processes.

History

FARM grew out of the Vegetarian Information Service, which was formed in 1976 to disseminate information on the benefits of plant-based eating on consumer health, animal protection, and environmental integrity.

FARM was officially launched as an animal rights organization in July 1981, along with other groups forming the modern US animal rights movement, at the “Action For Life” Conference in Allentown (PA). The conference brought seasoned leaders of the established vegetarian movement together with animal rights advocates searching for a national organizational outlet for their passion.

Finances

FARM is funded primarily by contributions from individuals who care about animal rights, human health, and environmental integrity. Contributions to FARM are a great investment for a number of reasons:

• FARM maintains an exceptionally low overhead (less than 5%) and uses no professional fundraisers, so contributions go directly to support our programs.
• FARM has one of the lowest budgets among national animal organizations and staffers volunteer all or part of their time, so each contribution makes a large impact.
• FARM is a member of Animal Charities of America, Combined Federal Campaign, and United Way, and abides by the strict operating and accounting standards of these institutions.
• FARM is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

All contributors receive program announcements, newsletters reporting on FARM’s and other programs, and an Annual Report. Our audited financial report is available on request.

FARM’s EIN (tax ID number) is 52-1302627.

Support

Thank you for your compassion towards animals. Please show your support for FARM and farmed animals by donating now.

If you are interested in job opportunities or becoming an Event Coordinator, proceed to Get Involved.