After more than a decade advocating for the rights of American farmers and ranchers, the nonprofit Protect The Harvest announced it will cease operations Oct. 31.
The notice was announced Oct. 11 as the result of funding challenges that first began during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release, the Lucas family and Executive Director Dr. Mike Siemens provided statements explaining the conditions of the organization and decision to dissolve it by the month’s end. Notably, the current economy has put stress on valued supporters of the organization.
“It’s been frustrating and disappointing to see the number of issues we confront multiply while our resources to address them have diminished,” states Siemens in the release. “It’s also heartbreaking because we hear from so many stakeholders about how much they value Protect The Harvest and the work we do. Now, other organizations will need to step up to fill the void.”
Protect The Harvest was first established in 2011 by Forrest Lucas. The organization formed to educate communities and advocate for the work of American farmers and ranchers, as well as outdoor enthusiasts and animal owners, against extremism and misguided activism toward production agriculture, land and water use, among other human-animal interactions like hunting and fishing.
“We’ve fought, and won, a considerable number of important battles that threatened property rights, would restrict freedoms and liberties America was founded on, make it more difficult to produce food or own animals … or would result in greater food insecurity,” states Lucas in the Oct. 11 release.
The nonprofit’s website and social media platforms will be deactivated before the new year.
Progressive Dairy did reach out to representatives of the organization who declined to comment further on the situation.
