Simple Ways to Make a Difference on the Farm

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2009-11-23 01:38:00 UTC
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We know that reducing or eliminating meat from your diet can save a lot of lives, but what are some other ways that you can help? Your daily decisions may feel far away from the farm, but here are five little things you can do to make a big difference:

  • If you still have animal products in your diet (and hopefully you've considered cutting back at least one day a week), find out where it comes from. Buying milk and eggs from local farmers supports smaller, animal-friendly agriculture instead of lining the pockets of factory farms. Check out your farmers market and, as the local food movement continues to grow, locally sourced products are popping up on the shelves of more and more grocery stores.
  • Reduce or eliminate the non-edible animal products in your life. Leather and fur are obvious culprits, but animals are used in a number of other things, too, such as cosmetics. Look for cruelty-free products that don't contain any animal by-products and were not tested on animals.

  • Volunteer for a farm sanctuary in your area. These organizations don't tend to get as much recognition as traditional animal shelters, but they work hard to care for the larger stray and abused animals in your community. They usually have a wide variety of animals and need lots of extra hands around the farm.

  • Support organizations fighting for animal welfare. These groups rely on individual donations to stay on top of the latest legislation and lobbying, to watchdog the farming industry, and to educate the public. If you join their email lists, you'll stay up-to-date on the latest campaign news and progress.

  • Speak up for them. Write or call your elected officials about farm animal legislation. The meat and dairy industries do a lot of lobbying, so your voice needs to be heard, too. It can take a surprisingly small number of phone calls to change a vote on a bill. Write letters to the editor, blog about farm animal issues, and keep your friends informed. You are their voice.

Farm animal issues can seem overwhelmingly big and removed from your lifestyle, but it's okay to start with baby steps, as long as you keep moving in the right direction. No matter how much of an urban creature you are, your decisions have an impact on farm life. Make it a good one.

Photo credit: Marcio Cabral de Moura

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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