Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that animals are routinely mistreated in the food industry. Before starting our journey to self-sufficiency and really learning about where our food comes from, I had no idea what went on in large scale commercial farms. When we got our first flock of chickens, they sparked an interest in me to research the food industry and I was appalled by what I learned.
If you don't know what goes on in factory farms each day, watch this short video. Be warned - it is graphic and extremely hard to watch. You may have to look away from the screen a few times and may shed a few tears, but it's nothing compared to what these animals have to go through.
I eventually became a vegetarian after wrestling with these issues. For me, that was the best solution. But I'm not naive - I do realize not everyone will stop eating meat after watching this video. Becoming a vegetarian was the right solution for me, but I don't want to force it on anyone else. I feel like it's a very emotional and cultural choice and I never want to come across as a crazy fanatic, but this issue is something very important to me.
My hope is that if you are affected by this video, you will research to find a place to buy your food where you can meet the farmers and know that the animals at least had a shot at happy lives. A wonderful resource is Local Harvest. You can search for farmers in your area that sell products from their own farms.
I know this post is a bit of a departure, but animal welfare is a big passion of mine and I feel like I have to share what I've discovered with others. If you want to know more of my story or have any other questions about this post, feel free to email me (tdbarani@yahoo.com). I'd be more than happy to talk to you.
Since I can't do a post without a photo, I'll leave you with this shot of our happy boys free ranging this foggy morning (and also one of my favorite quotes).
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi
~Tammy
I definitely support vegetarianism, and we do many meals without meat. I learned the hard way that I can't do veganism after a 3 year stint - it took many visits with a neurologist to get straight again. It's too bad - I liked the lifestyle and it suited me. But I still do many meatless meals :-) I've got spaghetti squash planned for tonight!
ReplyDeleteBTW, my husband is SO much better at chess than me. BUT I can beat him in Scrabble any day! ;-)
Tammy I believe in treating animals with respect and it breaks my heart to see these kind of videos. I am a farmer and I know you know that and we do treat our animals the way they should be treated and I am not a vegetarian but I truly respect those who are and also those who are not. We all need to be mindful of the way animals are treated it is the right thing to do. B
ReplyDeleteThanks for raising awareness about this important cause! We are striving each day to get as much of our food, meat included, from local sources where animals are treated well and live humane happy lives.
ReplyDeleteAn important issue and one that needs more awareness! I joined PETA years ago and always try to support humane legislation and practices including supporting family farms rather than factory farms. Thank you for spreading the word about what really goes on. It is truly heartbreaking. I love the quote by Mahatma Gandhi. It is the truth. xo
ReplyDeleteI love that you took time to raise awareness about this. It's so important that we stand up for the poor animals that can't stand up for themselves.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Tammy. I have the same compassion for a farm animal as I have for our cats. If they are capable of suffering, and they surely are, then I won't be a part of the picture. I love being vegetarian and will never change. Deb
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy
ReplyDeleteI had an early experience with this in my first job as an adult working for the national postal service (in Denmark). One day I discovered several flat wooden crates stacked on top of each other and they'd been there for the better part of the day. They were full of chicks and I was so upset and distressed by this. Upon inquiring about this matter I was kindly reminded that I worked under a discretion law and was not allowed to tell anyone. I think I was too young to think I could do anything about it but it's an image that will stay with me forever.
I'm not a deliberate vegetarian but both my husband and I haven't eaten meat for some years now. It's simply something that has come about from the horrible things we've seen, heard and read about how farm animals are treated. With no respect for the fact that they are living creatures with a soul and a beating heart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts... it sounds like you have a beautiful little life on the go. I love your beautiful images and your gorgeous cats!!
P.s. Thanks for visiting my blog!
I just know I can't watch the video but I hear you. Though I still eat meat, I have really limited it in my diet. What started as one vegetarian dish a week turned to two. Hopefully, I can increase it to three, then four... and then who knows after that?
ReplyDeleteI love your photos Tammy and your heart for animals and nature. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a beautiful day.
xoxo
That is a beautiful quote and a very lovely picture of your chickens x
ReplyDeleteI can't watch the video , I watched one on the horse slaughter houses a while back and it broke my heart . I commend you for being so dedicated .
ReplyDeleteAs always, thank you for these beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteI just heard about this today. I agree all the way with buying locally, knowing your farmers, how the animals are raised, and supporting the smaller farm. Factory farms should be banned.
ReplyDeleteI love all animals and find it very hard to believe that someone can mistreat them. I am sorry I can not even bring myself to watch the video. I do appreciate you bringing this subject up and doing a post. More people should be made aware. Have a great evening, Tammy!
ReplyDeleteBuying locally and knowing your farmers can be the best way to avoid mistreatment of animals. Unfortunately, it does happen in big business farms.
ReplyDeleteYou have make beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, RW & SK
Your roo's are very handsome! They are all so lucky to have you as their momma :)
ReplyDeleteI admire your passion. I don't think I could ever be a vegetarian, but you raise some important points about the humane treatment of animals. The photo of your chickens is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI can't watch the video, I already know what's in it, those break my heart. I just can't imagine a person intentionally being cruel to any living thing, period. I guess because it's not in me.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute boys you have.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that I recognize every bit of life that I must consume to sustain my own, which includes the most humble of vegetables, which, too, are life.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend you read Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Buying local and knowing the farmer is no doubt the best way to go. Unfortunately most people don't know and have no idea how the food chain works these days. Big ag and factory farming is a way of life to feed so many but the consequences on these lives are great. From the unconscionable abuse on the animals to polluting our own bodies with chemicals, hormones, antibiotics you name it sadly Diabetes and Cancer is mainstream now.. I could go on and on, sorry.
ReplyDeleteI too don't eat meat and try to grow what we consume.... Knowledge IS power :) happy you shared this post with your readers.
Tammy, I wish no animal wold ever have to suffer again. Raising awareness is an important first step. I've missed you, my friend! I love visiting your farm-even if only virtually. You have created a place of such peach and harmony and your animal family is so lucky to have you:) xx I'll try not to be such a stranger, too!!
ReplyDeleteTammy, it's so sad to think animals suffer at cruel hands. I'm glad there are loud voices to for these creatures. Thank you.LOVE your boys!
ReplyDeleteI eat very minimal meat, and our family eats it regularly.. I'd say 90% of the meat consumed in our home is wild game, hunted fairly & humanely in endless healthy woods - as free range as it gets. The remaining meat brought into our home is raised local & purchase from local, small business market. (My husband loves bacon.) We even raised our own hogs for quite a few years so we had home raised bacon.
ReplyDeleteI have been aware of commercial farm conditions for a long time, and just can't stomach it. We also don't like the idea of the hormones or the antibiotics used (needed in such awful conditions.)
Way to get the word out, Tammy!! Great quote, too.
I've seen videos of chickens and cows being treated horribly but for some reason even after showing them to my family we still insist on eating meat. Well everyone except for my oldest daughter who is a strict vegetarian. It's just been so difficult becoming a vegetarian. I applaud your efforts to bring awareness to the issue. Hope you're having a happy Friday.
ReplyDeleteWhile living in Iowa, I watched a heartbreaking video from a local processing plant. A lot of rethinking what and how I do things happened after seeing that. The things that Cliff see's on the road are enough to turn his stomach, so we do make as many of our choices as possible with local farmers. I have wanted to describe to you the area in which I live before, I do believe I am lucky to live in such a wonderful area. My sister ( in Canada) came across this blog post tonight, about the town in which I work, where we do most of our business and shopping. I thought you might enjoy it :) http://tendingthefirewithin.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-i-live-in-middle-of-nowhere-ten.html
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how much people don't want to pay attention to the facts until our visit to an animal sanctuary last year. The owners and staff are all vegetarian and they rescue animals abused, neglected, etc. They, too, don't push their choices on anyone but simply try to educate. As we went through the tour they spoke about the typical abuse of each type of animal and specifically what had previously happened to the animals we were looking at. People were shocked and amazed, even at the chickens and discussion of chickens being kept in cages their whole lives. I said to my husband "how in the world do they not know this???" He said "they do, they just don't want to admit to it because of the guilt associated with purchasing those products." I think he's right. Great post - hopefully someone who previously had been in the dark will be enlightened. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful saying by Gandhi and congrats for WDFA!
ReplyDelete