Doll Stanley of In Defense of Animals speaking at AR2012

This year’s Animal Rights National Conference is fast approaching and we’re gearing up for some exciting speakers and sessions! As always, we would to thank our sponsors for helping us make it all possible. Attendees will have the chance to hear speakers from these generous Silver Sponsors: Alley Cat Allies, In Defense of Animals, International Primate Protection League, and Mercy for Animals.

Year after year, Alley Cat Allies has supported the Conference as a silver sponsor, and this year, they will provide talks on how to help homeless animals through humane population control and teach attendees how to reduce companion animal abuse.

In Defense of Animals (IDA) will also provide some information on humanely controlling companion animal populations, as well as sessions on reducing animal abuse within the entertainment industry and protecting wildlife against killing campaigns.

Shirley McGreal, founder and Executive Director of International Primate Protection League, will speak on behalf of primates who are used in research and the entertainment industry, along with a session on how to stop the cruel and unnecessary practice of vivisection in laboratories and schools.

Attendees will have several opportunities to hear members of Mercy for Animals (MFA) speak as they cover topics such as enforcing protective laws for animals by utilizing local authorities and the media, raising funds for animal campaigns, and engaging agencies and businesses through economic and social pressures to replace animal ingredients in their products. MFA will also hold a session on agriculture campaigns, discussing how to reduce the use of famed animals.

We would also like to give a BIG thank you to Turtle Island Foods, producer of Tofurky, for being a Silver Sponsor this year! They will be donating their brand new hot pockets and quiche for two evening meals and their tempeh bacon for breakfast. So please bring your appetite for knowledge and yummy food!

To see a list of all Conference sponsors please click here and to see the entire Conference program schedule, click here. And don’t forget to register BEFORE the event to save.

Executive Director and California native, Michael Weber wrote a letter to the San Diego Unified School District urging its board members to adopt a Meatless Mondays program. In a city where nearly 28% of children are overweight or obese, Michael says, “Now is the time for community leaders to speak out about proper diet and healthy habits. And this public health initiative, begun by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is a great start.”

Being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and many cancers. The economic costs associated with obesity and physical inactivity in California are estimated at $41.2 billion. The state (and the country) is at a turning point in the battle with chronic disease, and we have a choice…we either take steps to improve our overall health or we continue down the current path of disease and premature death.

In his letter, Michael also points out the devastating environmental impacts animal agriculture has on the planet and the inherent cruelty and suffering that comes with raising animals for food. According to the United Nations, reducing the amount of animal products we eat is one of the simplest ways to lower our carbon footprint, since animal agriculture is “responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, a bigger share than that of transport[tation].” Not to mention, that raising billions of animals for food to produce massive quantities of meat, dairy, and eggs has taken a major toll on the animals themselves. Standard industry practices include intensive confinement, mutilations without painkillers, and a horrific slaughter – practices that shock nearly every- one who views them.

Michael says bringing one meat-free day a week to school students is “an easy, effective way for our children to start the week off right.” With an abundance of readily available vegetarian and vegan options, the number of schools and colleges that have successfully adopted similar programs is steadily increasing. And for those looking to eliminate all animal products from their diet, FARM offers 100% vegan recipes through our Meatout Mondays program and additional vegan resources through our Live Vegan website.

FARM applauds the San Diego Unified School District for considering implementing such a life-saving program, and we hope they take Michael’s recommendation into account.

Summertime will soon be here and that means vacation time for a lot of us. Time to unwind and relax. No one wants to be stressed out over a vacation and they shouldn’t have to be. However, us vegans know that our diet can sometimes be a challenge, especially when traveling. Cole Millen, avid traveler and foodie, knows too well the difficulties eating vegan while on the road; that’s why he came up with a few simple tips to make mealtime a cinch while on vacation.

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It is easy to stick to a routine when everything stays the same. However, it is difficult for many vegans to be consistent when something changes. Going on vacation is challenging because travelers lose focus and splurge. Those who maintain a vegan lifestyle do not have to compromise while on the road. Though it is not always easy to find vegan meals, it is possible to stay committed to a vegan diet and eat healthy while on vacation without much hassle.

Bring Food Along

It is always smart to pack snacks. Trips never go as planned and it can be hard to know when or where the next meal will happen. Having snacks around saves money and offers an energy boost while on the go. Plus, not every restaurant caters to vegans. Travelers may have to make many substitutions to a dish before it is ready to eat, and the leftover result may be simple and bland.  No one should have to settle for lackluster dishes while on vacation. Travelers should pack their favorite vegan condiments and discretely use them on food to increase the flavor.

Research before Travel

No one is truly a stranger in a strange land thanks to the internet and travel guides. Travelers research climates, hotels and attractions before vacationing anywhere, and it is smart for vegans to research food options. Looking into the customs of an area, finding vegan friendly restaurants nearby a hotel and searching specifically for vegan cuisine is helpful before travel.

The most helpful pieces of advice will come from fellow vegans so. Look for blogs or reviews of hotels and restaurants to find tips from others. There may be specific vegan groups from an area on the internet, or a few travelers may have listed how they survived in a new location on a vegan mealplan. In my most recent travel to the west coast, I was able to better prepare for my trip by reading the reviews on Las Vegas hotels and finding vegan alternatives in the midst of the heavily condensed buffet zone. Being prepared beforehand will help travelers enjoy the sights without worrying about the food.

Learn the Language

Venturing across the world means there might be a language barrier. While people in many countries speak English, it is helpful to learn a few phrases in the native language. Do not just look for translations of the word “vegan” because this often just means a simple meal in other cultures. Assemble a list of basic vocabulary words that relate to foods vegans typically eat. This lets travelers inquire for specific and well liked items. Foreign countries often offer unique foods. There many be special vegetables or vegan dishes that a country is known for. Look up the vocabulary for local foods to try new vegan items.

Offer Ideas at Restaurants

Restaurants try to accommodate patrons, but many wait staff are not always familiar with the needs of a vegan. It may fall to the guest to ask questions and make suggestions to help inform the staff. Knowing what a restaurant offers beforehand and having ideas ready helps the process of dining out go smoothly. Those who are friendly and explain their needs while making polite suggestions should find that the restaurant is willing to make changes.

Cook While on the Road

Eating out for the entirety of a vacation is the fastest way to gain weight and lose money. Most accommodations have a kitchen area, so travelers should plan to cook a few meals. Cooking gives vegans total control of a meal and can be a worthwhile experience. This lets travelers visit authentic markets, buy local foods and create their own recipes. Making dinner in a different setting can be as memorable an occasion as anything else on a trip.

Again, staying committed to a vegan diet while on vacation is not impossible. Some people may encounter locations that do not have vegan options, but all vacations have setbacks. Maintaining a positive attitude and laughing over challenges helps make the most of any vacation. There is always another restaurant nearby, and no one will starve will trying to uphold a vegan lifestyle on vacation. Researching the area, planning beforehand and being flexible, make it possible to have an enjoyable, exciting and relaxing vegan vacation.

Cole Millen is an avid traveler and foodie who never forgets that life’s best memories are made through real life apprehension of legitimate “experiences.”

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and warmly recall all the love mothers provide and all the lessons they teach. We treasure every moment we have with our mothers and we appreciate them being there for us. The love of a mother isn’t just limited to humans either; animals across species rely heavily on their mothers for protection and affection. Farmed animals feel that same natural desire to rear their children…unfortunately, the food industry has no interest in allowing the mother/child bond to grow.

Few animals have motherly instincts as strong as cows do, yet the dairy industry is unapologetic in restraining those instincts. Within 48 hours of birth, male calves are dragged away from the embrace of their mothers and are either slaughtered or placed in a veal crate where they will spend the entirety of their short lives. Naturally, this leads to severe distress for both mom and son, as cows are intelligent beings that thrive on family bonding. The mother cow (and any daughters she may have) will spend her entire life being subjected to artificial insemination for milk that is supposed to be for their young, but instead is placed in grocery stores all over the country.

Pigs don’t have it any easier. Although sows are usually able to at least nurse their babies for a short time, they are forced to do so in a farrowing crate; a crate that does not allow basic movements such as standing up or turning around. While the mother lays immobile in her crate, she’s forced to view cruel acts committed on her children including castration and tail docking without anesthesia and even worse, death by very unethical means such as being thrown against a concrete floor. Ultimately, after a mere two weeks, the piglets are taken away from their mother to begin fattening for slaughter, never to feel their mother’s love again.

We sometimes hear the term “mother hen” as a common idiom, a testament to how protective hens can be over their children. In the egg industry though, the idea of hens protecting their children is an illusion; they never even get to meet their babies. Male chicks born in the industry are of no use no profit, so they are either ground up alive or thrown out like garbage in huge plastic bags where they suffocate to death. As for the female chicks, they are destined to a life similar to their mother. Caged hens are crammed five to seven birds into wire mesh cages stacked one on top of another. The hens live in physical and psychological misery, unable to turn stretch, flap their wings, or preen their entire lives. The birds are forced to stand on a sloping wire-mesh floor, which cuts and deforms their sensitive feet, while the wire-mesh walls rub off their feathers and bruise their skin… and for the sake of egg production.

This Mother’s Day, let’s truly honor all mothers by making simple changes to our diet. By opting to purchase products that are not the result of an inherently cruel system, we’ll be making a statement: we believe in the bond between a mother and child is strong, and it should be respected.

To find out more about changing your diet this Mother’s Day, check out LiveVegan.org.

Over 400 activists joined us outside of the Farmer John slaughterhouse this past Saturday to expose the cruel abuse that goes on inside of the Vernon, California meat processing facility. Those who have ever driven by the plant know too well the foul stench that hangs in the air and the building’s hypocritical murals that depict happy pigs enjoying sunshine and playing in green pastures. There are no happy pigs behind the walls of Farmer John – only dead pigs – Farmer John slaughters 6,000 pigs a day, making it the largest slaughterhouse on the west coast.

The demonstration began with a funeral procession, which included a prop coffin. The march was lead by actors and activists, Elaine Hendrix and Michael Fairman. With so many dedicated activists joining us, it didn’t take long to encircle the entire facility. The mood was somber and many were moved to tears, but a positive feeling of hope radiated from the compassionate crowd. A moment of silence was observed to remember those who have fallen to the greed of animal agribusiness.

During the event, FARM staff and around 90 other activists crossed the street and Occupied McDonald’s. Some held hands, circling the outside of the property, while others, including Elaine Hendrix and Michael Fairman, took over the restaurant, impeding business for a short time.

For three hours, activists from all other the country stood together as one, to speak up for the pigs of Farmer John and for every animal who is trapped within the food industry. Some folks held signs, some chanted, some even took over McDonald’s, but everyone was there to see an end to the needless slaughter of billions of animals.

We would like to thank each and every one of you who came out and joined us, and to all of those who spread the word online. Thank you to Elaine Hendrix, Michael Fairman and Simone Reyes for supporting us. Thank you to the local news stations (KTLA, Univision 34, LA Times) for providing coverage of the event, and to the  police department for ensuring everyone’s safety. To see images from the Farmer John demonstration, please visit our Facebook page.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

These are the four stages of nonviolent activism, and right now, the animal rights movement has reached the third stage – the fight. Society is done ignoring us…they no longer can. They’ve had enough fun mocking us, though you still have a few carnivorous comedians (you know who I mean). And so now, the movement has reached a turning point…a chance to make history and win this battle for the animals, the planet and the people.

Everywhere you turn there’s another study revealing the harmful health effects animal products have on the human body. Reports suggest the only way to protect the planet so it can support billions of people is to adopt plant-based diets. Animal products are being recalled due to disease, and “Super Bugs” are of great concern to scientists.

Animal Agribusiness knows the odds are against them, and it’s only a matter of time before society demands major changes within the food industry. They are clearly taking desperate measures, hiding behind Ag Gag laws. Instead of addressing the violations being reported on these farms, the whistleblower is the one being criminalized for exposing the truth – for exposing animal abuse, unsafe working conditions and environmental violations.

Animal Ag knows exactly what is taking place on these farms – that’s where these laws are coming from. They are meant to keep the public in the dark. Our government must never restrict our right and obligation to know where our food comes from. That’s why we have organized the largest slaughterhouse demonstration in U.S. history. This event is meant not only to express grief for the 6,000 pigs who are brutally slaughtered at Farmer John’s everyday, but it’s also to voice to the world that we will not tolerate animal exploitation disguised as a healthy diet.

We will not be silent in our fight to stop the violence perpetuated by Animal Agribusiness and by such cogs in the machine, like Farmer John. Join us this Saturday in Vernon, California, in front of Farmer John’s slaughterhouse – the largest slaughterhouse on the west coast – as we fight for the pigs, and as we fight to make history for all animals.

For more information on the Farmer John Demonstration, please visit our Facebook event page.

For more reading on Ag Gag laws, check out a series of articles by Susie Cagle over at Grist.

Another Earth Day has gone by and once again, our results have made a lasting impact! Dozens of activists from all over the country distributed thousands of handouts to local events while our online efforts were just as strong, using all avenues possible to share the vegan message far and wide.

We revamped our Green Your Diet handout which received great acclaim from our activists. While the handout is certainly attractive, the content is what helped change diets. With very convincing information about the correlation between animal agriculture and climate change, there is no doubt our handout made people question if they are making the right dietary choice for the planet.

Activists came out in droves to their local Earth Day events and distributed thousands of our handouts to the public! Volunteers in over 26 states participated in Vegan Earth Day, leafleting and tabling wherever concerned environmentalists assembled. Our strong grassroots presence nationwide propelled veganism to be a major talking point for Earth Day 2013!

FARM's Director of Outreach Programs participates in the Face of Climate Campaign.

The outreach didn’t stop at local events though. Our activists were so dedicated to changing diets on Earth Day, they joined FARM staff in taking our activism online and participating in the #faceofclimate campaign. By simply holding a sign promoting veganism and taking a picture, we were able to give thousands of people a glimpse of the impact a vegan diet can have on the environment! It was fun and interactive but more importantly, it was effective.

Hundreds of people viewed the four minute Green Your Diet video due to the relentless sharing by our activists. Many were inspired by the message of the video, with one YouTube user commenting, “I am a light meat-eater and enjoy my dairy but maybe the time has come to make a difference!”

This year, our efforts ensured that the public can no longer ignore our message: that the choices they make on their plate effect our planet’s future.

When we hear the words “Earth Day,” we think “green” – we think about how our actions affect the planet and those around us. We think of what we can do in our own lives to act more greenly.

Most think of recycling, updating light bulbs, using less electricity and water, walking or biking more often as some of the easiest ways to green their footprint. However, most folks don’t realize that the easiest and most important way to protect the environment starts with the first meal of the day.

Meals based on animal products yield a much larger carbon footprint than do diets that are plant based. The livestock sector is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide and the single largest source of both methane and nitrous oxide. It also takes about 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, compared with just 25 gallons to produce one pound of wheat.

Animal based diets are destroying our rainforests and creating vast deserts of non-arable land. Today, approximately 30% of the Earth’s land mass is used to graze animals or grow feed crops for them. However, it is far more efficient, uses less land, and feeds more people to directly consume the grain we are feeding to livestock.

Animal agriculture is far from green…it’s a dirty business raising animals for food. Between the animal waste (manure & methane gas), the chemicals and fertilizers sprayed on the crops, and the fossil fuels burned to raise, kill, process and transport animal products — these toxins pollute our air, water and soil.

A large plume of smoke and chemicals rise into the air following a massive eplosion at a Texas fertilizer plant.

Just last Wednesday, a fire at a fertilizer plant north of Houston, Texas caused a massive explosion that killed at least 14 people, injured 200, and damaged or destroyed 50 nearby homes and businesses. A hazardous material team had to be sent to the scene because the air quality was dangerous due to a high density of anhydrous ammonia. The blast was one of the worst American industrial accidents in years; the explosion registered as an earthquake and left a large crater in the ground.

A large supporter of animal agriculture is the $10-billion dollar U.S. fertilizer industry, which has been expanding quickly thanks to cheap natural gas. A great deal of fertilizer is synthesized from atmospheric nitrogen and natural gas — likely the case with the ammonia stored in the retail facility in Texas.

So in addition to the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), we should also think of the letter V, for vegan, on Earth Day. Greening your diet is the easiest and most impactful thing you can do to protect the planet. To learn more, please visit GreenYourDiet.org.

For over 40 years, Earth Day has encouraged people all over the world to both promote and engage in practices that benefit the planet. As we get closer to April 22nd, many will propose solutions to delay climate change, such as convincing the public to drive hybrid cars or introduce recycling bins into their neighborhoods. While these suggestions are all sound, there is one solution that is often ignored but is actually the easiest to apply: a change of diet.

According to the United Nations, a vegan diet is “vital” to save our planet from climate change. Indeed, the effects of animal consumption are leading the Earth to a very grim future. While it’s impossible to list every consequence that results from agriculture, the most telling consist of widespread deforestation, polluted river run-off, wind erosion and air pollution. Sadly, if animal agriculture continues, especially at the current rate, there will be little chance of stopping climate change.

It’s time for the public to wake up to the realities of climate change and make a positive impact by switching to a vegan diet.

Create a vegan sign, snap a photo & upload it to www.EarthDay.org/2013.

Please visit our Green Your Diet website to find out more about how a vegan diet can protect the environment, and join us this Earth Day as we spread the vegan message to the masses. Participate in the #FaceOfClimate campaign by taking a picture of yourself holding a sign that promotes veganism and uploading it to the Earth Day Network. Let’s make the face of climate a vegan one.

Together, we can help save the planet – one meal at a time!

A UCLA student reacts in horror as she witnesses the cruel practices of standard animal farming.

After a productive month making our way through college campuses in TX, AZ and NV, we finally reached the west coast…bringing with it a much needed streak of sun filled days and huge viewer turnout.

Our first stop was San Diego, where we visited UCSD and SDSU, both of which yielded impressive viewer turn outs thanks in part to local student groups. PEACE at UCSD came out in full force with a vegan bake sale each day resulting in many viewers using their earned dollar to purchase a delicious treat — proving that veganism doesn’t mean sacrificing anything.

After viewing our video, one of the board members of a business-oriented, co-ed fraternity invited us to show the video at their meeting later that evening. The end result was Andy presenting the video and speaking to a fraternity of 70 people – most of which pledged to reduce their consumption of animal products! Of course we found the time to explore some of the amazing vegan options within the city limits including Pokez for Mexican food, Casa De Luz for a delicious macrobiotic meal, and Revolution Fast Food for one of the best bacon cheeseburgers we’ve had all tour.

After star gazing at Balboa Park, we made the drive to Riverside, CA where we were met with huge viewer numbers at UCR. Our first day on campus resulted in 400 viewers! – breaking all of FARM’s previous on-campus records. Although it was exhausting, it felt very rewarding to know how many people were reached and thus more lives saved.

We celebrated with a trip to Viva La Vegan in Rancho Cucomonga, the world’s largest all vegan grocery store! The next few days at UCR proved to be nearly as successful, which provided great momentum as we headed into San Bernadino and Northridge the following week. Again we were met by large viewer turn out, resulting in some incredibly inspiring conversations with people who, after watching the video, decided to turn their compassion into action by working towards a vegan diet.

Our past week was spent in Long Beach at CSULB. While we thought it would be hard to top how incredible the past few weeks had been, CSULB certainly did not let us down. We averaged 305 viewers per day and had some of the best volunteers we’ve had all tour. We received help from many members of local student group, Cease Animal Torture, as well as several outside volunteers. It was so incredible to see such a great group of vegans dedicated to effective joyful advocacy. We couldn’t be more excited to continue our journey as we gear up to reach more students!

To track the crew’s progress and read what the media is saying about our North American Tour, visit 10BillionTour.org.