Farmers vs. Activists: Agriculture rallied against activism in 2024

The entire ag industry is feeling pressure from activists determined to attack animal agriculture. Bryan Humphreys with the National Pork Producers Council says that despite the pushback, they are proud of how the industry responds:

“In Sonoma County, California, it was all livestock; any medium CAFOs and larger that were going to be banned. In Denver, it was to stop any slaughter facilities inside Denver, and there is only one. It is a lamb processing facility, Superior Meats. The interesting part here, the heartwarming part, is that all of agriculture came together and helped fight these initiatives. The folks on the ground ran the campaigns, and the other organizations helped contribute money and resources as appropriate to help fend these off, and so, agriculture came together in a strong way.”
Bryan Humphreys, National Pork Producers Council

Lawmakers have argued anti-agriculture activism not only harms local economies, but also damages the global food system.

Related Stories
Liam Wade, a North Pole High School senior and the 2025-2026 Alaska FFA State Vice President, isn’t just dreaming about farming in one of the country’s most extreme environments — he’s doing it.
“The veterinary shortage... put a lot of pressure on the economy in different parts of Oklahoma.”

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Among many longstanding traditions at the FFA Convention & Expo is the National FFA Band.
Pork producers are making Veterans Day a little brighter for Iowa’s military families.
While there has been an increase in outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) this migration season, the CDC says the public health risk is low.
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
If confirmed, early Chinese buys tighten nearby Gulf/PNW capacity and could bump basis in export-oriented regions.
Alan Bjerga, Senior Vice President of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), shares updates and resources available to dairy producers.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.