FARMERS in America are taking on the activists by countering their propaganda with new educational programmes.
The Animal Agricultural Alliance has announced its aim of developing “life-long advocates for farming”.
It already awards scholarships to teach students about the industry.
Now it says the need to counter the misinformation and propaganda of animal rights activists is stronger than ever.
Its online scholarship program aims to help students take on the anti-farm lobby which said at the 2017 National Animal Rights Conference that it wants to end animal agriculture.
Kay Johnson Smith, president and CEO at the Alliance, said: “This is a way to ensure agriculture students have the tools they need to share factual, science-based information with their peers about how our food is produced.
“We want life-long advocates for farming.
“Spreading misinformation and wedging themselves between consumers and the animal agriculture community is common for animal rights groups to reach their goals, and college students are a key target.
“Animal rights groups are prevalent on college campuses spreading misinformation about America’s farmers and ranchers using ‘undercover’ video footage, Meatless Mondays petitions, and other tactics.”
Casey Whitaker, communications manager at the Alliance, added: “College programmes gives students the skills and confidence to speak up against misinformation and set the record straight.”
