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
Texas livestock producers face a heightened biosecurity threat as New World screwworm detections in northern Mexico coincide with FDA approval of the first topical treatment.
Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
Kip Eideberg with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers details its campaign spotlighting the people who build equipment vital to farming and food manufacturing.
Improved export prospects and higher crop prices strengthened future expectations despite continued caution about spending.
While the agriculture industry hoped details on proposed “bridge” payments for farmers would be released this week, Ag Secretary Brook Rollins said the USDA is still working with the White House on the finer points.
The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that new single-fluorinated pesticides are not PFAS and remain fully compliant with current safety standards.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
Alex Templeton works alongside her dad, sharing her life through social media and her blog Ag Talk with Alex.
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
Brent Graves, auctioneer and mentor, shares his journey supporting youth in agriculture, livestock competitions, and how he is turning junior livestock auctions into a classroom for youth in agriculture.
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.