The Animals and The People
An unbelievably easy way to learn more about farming
Hi Miyoko,
I am an animal scientist, whose job it is to make sure that the chickens, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and a whole host of other domesticated animals are being fed diets that provide them with exactly what they need and more, that they and their babies are fully healthy, and that they are physically and mentally sound from a welfare perspective.
I am writing to let you know that the dairy farmer who tweeted you isn’t the only one out there. There are hundreds if not thousands of farmers, both of animals and crops and from all around the world, who use twitter and various other social media to share their work and even their personal lives, and answer questions that come from the public at large. It is so easy to pop a tweet to a farmer about something that doesn’t make sense and get a real answer, because they live it every single day! I was so happy to read that this farmer asked you questions and started a conversation that was so meaningful to you. Did you ask questions of him as well to learn more about the animals?
Starting a two-way conversation between viewpoints like ours would foster greater understanding for all.
You mention wanting to educate people about the impacts and results of animal agriculture, but should it not be just as important to have a conversation with everyone about agriculture itself and how it operates? Not only animal agriculture but all agriculture. We can’t conveniently ignore the effects that crop farming has had and the ways that both crop and animal farming are becoming more environmentally friendly. I hear more and more that people want to know where food really comes from, how it is produced, and be empowered to make the choices about what they eat.
Thank you for your consideration of both the animals and the people and for drawing attention to this important point. Leaving out farmers and agriculture professionals from the discussion of what a better future looks like is certainly not the answer. There is so much knowledge and wisdom out there about agriculture that is just waiting to be discovered and shared with the entire world. You can even ask about dairy farming in the Sudan.
I would like to invite questions about animals and farming and be able to spark a greater connection of people to their food and their farmers. I truly believe that if we work together to create a better understanding of agriculture, where food comes from, then the future of food and our food system as a whole will be bright.
Best Regards,
Lela Perez
