The topic I am writing about today is a very passionate one. I spent hours debating on which route I wanted to take in sharing my thoughts on this issue. For the sake of good journalism, I decided to share the facts from the organizations based on their websites rather than lashing out on a rampage that would sure lead into tomorrow.
“The sign of an intelligent people is their ability to control their emotions by the application of reason” -Myra Mannes
Some of you may have seen the recent photo going around. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) hits home with many agriculturalists by setting up a booth at the Colorado State Fair.
Take a look.
The 4-H symbol stands for Head, Heart, Hands & Health. This symbol represents a way of life for several AGvocates in America. To see PETA tarnish it this way is not only an insult, it’s heartbreaking.
Angry? Offended? Confused?
Here’s a little background on both organizations to help understand this image.
{The following information can be found @ http://www.4-h.org/default.aspx.}
4-H is uniquely positioned to meet urgent global needs.
- The young people of today are the farmers who will feed the world in 2050—and there are more than one billion people between 12 and 24.
- 4-H reaches 7 million young people and is found in more than 70 countries.
- More than 3.5 million girls and young women are leading in 4-H today.
- The 4-H positive youth development experience is proven effective—with a 100-year history of agricultural and economic development.
- Young people are the drivers of change— and the global 4-H network will double the number of young innovators reached outside the U.S. by 2015.
The 4-H Organization- Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4-H, and they are the four values members work on through fun and engaging programs.
- Head – Managing, Thinking
- Heart – Relating, Caring
- Hands – Giving, Working
- Health – Being, Living
The 4-H Pledge
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
The Revolution of Responsibility
“What is the 4-H Revolution of Responsibility? It’s a movement for positive change in every community in America. 4-H youth are a living breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live. That takes uncommon commitment.”
Check out this awesome video of Lindsay Binegar: Long time 4-H member, Hog champion & Homeowner.
Now, I said I would maintain a level of self control, but as an AGRICULTURAL ADVOCATE I never claimed to be completely objective. That being said, here is the ugly…PETA.
{The following information can be found @ http://www.peta.org/.}
PETA’s Mission
“People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 3 million members and supporters.
PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds, and other “pests” as well as cruelty to domesticated animals.
PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.”
PETA’s “Success Campaigns”
“PETA’s successful campaigns against McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Safeway have resulted in historic improvements in the living conditions of farmed animals in North America and increased awareness of the horrors of factory farming to countless consumers.
Since October 1999, when PETA launched our McCruelty campaign against Fortune 500 company and fast-food giant McDonald’s, we have waged a series of successful campaigns urging the restaurant and grocery industries to improve conditions for the animals who are killed for their menus and shelves. PETA’s current campaign against KFC urges the company to eliminate the worst abuses that are suffered by the roughly 1 billion chickens who are raised and killed for its buckets each year.
The guidelines that were developed as a result of these campaigns recognize that farmed animals have specific needs and interests that should be protected—though corporate greed means that companies often fall short of eliminating the vast majority of abuses that farmed animals suffer. Even with groundbreaking new standards, shocking cruelty is still the norm—the abuses are so horrible that they could warrant felony cruelty-to-animals charges in most states if dogs or cats were the victims.”
All of the information above is straight from the organizations websites. No opinions. You can check the links provided yourself.
That being said, the following is all me.
I grew up around 4-H and FFA. {Questions about FFA? See https://www.ffa.org/.} When I say “grew up,” I mean that in the most literal way possible. My aunt Jodi, who is only 9 years older than me, starting showing with 4-H when she was 9 years old. (Do the math.) I have two older brothers, now 23 and 25, who joined the 4-H Organization at age 9 also. My parents were involved in 4-H and FFA.
As a child, I could not wait until the day I got to wear my green corduroy 4-H jacket! It was like a right of passage in my family. It meant so much more than showing animals. It was a way to show others how proud I was to be a part of an organization fueled by a passion for the agriculture industry and developing youth leadership.
My brother and I w/ our show sheep in the pen @ the county fair.
So for PETA to protest their ridiculous beliefs using 4-H as their target is not only hurtful, it’s a waste of time. If they had done their research, they would know that showing livestock is just one part of the organization’s large mission and list of youth developing activities.
Setting up a booth at the Colorado State Fair? Do they not realize what kind of people agriculturalists are? The last people in the world you want to mess with is a Show Mama or Grandma. I’m serious. You think soccer moms are protective? Catch a glimpse of a Show Mama after her baby gets last in the show ring.
Anyway, the point I mean to make out of all this is that PETA is an organization that needs attention. They are like the class bully who isn’t loved enough at home so he attacks everyone else. PETA has extremely flawed views of the agriculture industry. Our job as AGvocates is not to fight PETA or HSUS, but to tell our story. They want to attack 4-H? Let’s tell people what 4-H is all about. PETA thinks we are cruel to our animals? Show fair exhibitors and friends how well your heifers, steers, goats, hogs and sheep are cared for. Personally, my animals ate before I did at breakfast and dinner. That’s our story. We love agriculture. We care for our animals. We care for our world.
-Amanda Gray
Branding Her Passion 