Vegetarians in the Workplace

Agriculture’s Story in the Workplace

A friend of mine send me a frantic e-mail on Thursday. Each week her office presents a fun fact at their Friday staff meetings. Pretty cool idea. The Fact is emailed out and then there is the opportunity to discuss it at the end of the meeting. 

One of our cows - Dreamdate

The week’s Fun Fact was May 1-7 is Be Kind to Animal Week. I like weeks like that, I hate animal abuse. I treat both my pets and our cattle with respect and ensure that their needs are being met.

The email went onto say... “According to the Humane Society: There are about 77.5 million owned dogs in the US and 39% of US households own at least 1 dog (*Fact* Black dogs are the last to be adopted in a shelter). There are about 93.6 million owned cats in the US and 33% of households own at least 1 cat. Some things you can to do are: Volunteer to walk a dog at your local animal shelter or humane society, adopt a shelter or rescue animal…”

Great ideas. I think it is really unfortunate when animals end up in shelter because people don’t want them anymore. The Boy adopted his dog Skye from a shelter when he was in college and she is an awesome dog. All good so far.

But then the email said this…

“…or become a vegetarian for the day (Gasp!)! J Whatever you do, show some love to our furry friends!”

Wait a minute becoming a vegetarian is not the answer to Be Kind to Animals Week.  I mean I am pretty sure the dogs in those shelters are not going to be treated any better or worse because you tried vegetarianism.

And yes a lot of vegetarians are going to say that killing animals is cruelty. However, the cattle on my family’s farm and farms across the country, are there for meat purposes. I am going to make sure that our cattle are taken care of to the best of our ability in the meantime.

So what do you do when situations like this arise? Well first realize that everyone is welcome to decide what they will and will not eat. Being a vegetarian is a person choice, just like me eating meat is a personal choice.

Next, realize that this is an excellent opportunity to share personal stories of your family’s own farm or ranch experiences. This was my friend's response:

As a beef cattle producer it has been my families occupation for over 6 generations to properly care for our livestock so that we can provide a healthy and safe product to the consumer. We care that our cattle are raised humanely and treated kindly because that is what our vocation requires of us in order to make a livelihood. Growing up in the cold winters of Montana it was not uncommon that  our houses entry-way would be the evening home for a newborn calf so they could stay warm. It is also the rule that the cattle get breakfast before we do, regardless of how much snow was on the ground…or if it was my Sweet 16th Birthday!  Simply put, our cows and calves depend on us, and farmers and ranchers do whatever it takes to make sure they receive the best care possible.

Supporting local animal shelters like the Stillwater Animal Shelter is a great way to help with the pet population! If you’re interested in making contributions that will directly impact the animals in a shelter, your dollar will go furthest at a local shelter. While the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has heart wrenching commercials on TV., it only spends less than one-half of 1% of its annual budget to assist animal shelters.

The reaction she received. The people in her office said that they agreed with her, and that they even learned something. Have you ever been in a situation like this?

The pastor becomes a vegetarian

Say what, not say amen

via William Widmer, New York Times

Earlier this week I was reading an article in the New York Times about changing the health of those in the Mississippi Delta. An area know for its "smorgasbord of things fried, salted and boiled with pork" and where better to find these things than church. 


Since church and food is such a important part of the Delta culture Rev. Michael I. Minor has decided to lead the change of healthier lifestyles throughout the National Baptist Convention. Amen I say. Church kitchens are now declaring no fry zone, the ladies are proving to their congregation that sugar-free apple pie is pretty good - awesome I say. And Rec. Kevin Wiley, of the Seek Well Baptist Church, is even thinking about becoming a vegetarian. Woah, back the truck up. 


I think healthy lifestyles are fantastic. And if the church can change people's mind and encourage that we should all take a little bit better care of our bodies then that is awesome. However, don't tell me that vegetarianism is the answer to an epidemic of fried foods and poor eating habits. 


My meal plan this week consists of at least one serving of lean beef with every meal, along with a plate full of vegetables. I am pretty sure these food choices will not lead to me packing on the pounds and no longer being able to fit into the future sister in-laws wedding dress at the beginning on September. 

Click on the photo to enlarge.

Beef is Mother Nature's multivitamin. Plus, don't forget there are 29 lean cuts of meat. Look for cuts with loin or round in the name to identify them. 

Farm Kids go Vegan

Vegan Bloggers

photo via here

I recently ran across Carrie Issacson and David Jones quest to try the vegan path. From January 15-21 they are swearing off animal products. Two farm kids just wanting to experience the other side of the fence.

AgWeb is where I first saw their Vegan Adventure story, but both Carrie and David are blogging on their own blogs as well. From failed cooking attempts to trying to pick Vegan friendly items off a restaurant menu it is pretty entertaining. Out of all the posts though David's Where I come from... is my favorite because of this quote.

I grew up in a household with fresh, great tasting meat, milk and eggs and I saw first-hand how these products were brought to the table. The idea that someone could hate me because I’m a farmer, or because of my nutritional choices seemed so foreign to me. I don’t think I even knew vegetarians or vegans existed until I was a teenager. I am so happy we live in a country where we are free to speak freely and eat the kind of diet we most desire. I do my best to be respectful of everyone’s choices and lifestyles, and all I ask in return is the same.

AMEN.

It is pretty cool to see the comments from people that have come in - both carnivores and vegans. Did you know that Oreos are a vegan product. Learn something new everyday.

Check them out, and give them a little encouragement too! Maybe today they'll want to cook up my Flat Iron and Green Pepper recipe!