HSUS is in Agriculture's Crosshairs

Farmers and ranchers served notice to the Humane Society of the United States in November 2009 when voters overwhelmingly supported Issue 2 in Ohio. It was the first election victory for farmers and ranchers since the HSUS put animal agriculture in its crosshairs through state ballot initiatives.

Keep in mind, HSUS is not a national organization representing your local humane society. That organization would be the American Humane Association. The HSUS operates on a number of fronts, but its largest effort is spent carrying out an anti-agriculture agenda, similar to that of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The Ohio election victory proved consumers would listen to grassroot producer efforts if they were in tune with consumer interests. In 2010, producers took the pursuit to the next level, and it appears the rest of America is receptive. For those of you out of the loop, here's a quick summary:

• January 14, 2010 - Casella Wine, makers of Yellow Tail wine, is recognized as a corporate sponsor of HSUS, and open itself to the wrath of U.S. producers. A Yellow Fail Facebook group, blog articles and videos popped up on the Internet voicing displeasure within days. Days after the news hit the agricultural industry, Casella Wine Tail issued an apology to the agricultural industry.
• January 25, 2010 - University of Richmond Law Student John Dillard publishes The Myth of the Humane Society of the United States highlighting the organization's deception in fundraising.
• February, 16, 2010 - HumaneWatch.org is launched by the Center for Consumer Freedom to serve as a watchdog site for all HSUS activities. Join the Facebook group for HumaneWatch if it interests you.
• February 24, 2010 - The Facebook group for Pilot Travel Centers is targeted by farmers and ranchers after they discovered the company was a HSUS corporate sponsor. A debate occurs on the company's Facebook page between farmers and HSUS supporters, and the corporation pulls its support for HSUS.
• March 9, 2010 - Producers discovered that Mary Kay had provided money for a Dallas, Texas, HSUS event. On the same afternoon, Mary Kay issued a correction on Facebook saying the donation was actually made by the wife of Mary Kay's owner.
• March 15, 2010 - HumaneWatch.com and social media serve as the sounding board to target the Hill Pet Food company for its Science Diet click to give Internet program that raises funds for the HSUS.

It's an exciting start to 2010, but HSUS is a powerful organization with a huge amount of money to support its initiatives. The U.S. agricultural industry started with the blood, sweat and tears of dedicated producers, and it will certainly take the same amount of effort to spread the truth about the HSUS.

Take part in the initiative if you believe in defending the livelihood of America's farmers and ranchers.