As we enter the final stretch of 2024, there has been a notable increase by animal rights activists against agriculture, especially focusing on farms, food production systems and consumer perceptions. For dairy farmers and those working within the dairy community, understanding the strategies being employed by activists is essential to staying ahead of potential threats and challenges.

Collaboration across species, proactively building relationships with elected officials on all levels and continuing trust-building efforts were three key takeaways echoed throughout the 2024 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, held May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Progressive Dairy editor and host Kimmi Devaney chats with Abby Kornegay and Casey Kinler from the Animal Agriculture Alliance about what’s new with animal rights activism, key tactics dairy producers should know about and tips for dairy producers interested in building relationships with their legislators to become a trusted resource.

Octopus farming, insect farming and goat snuggling are in the crosshairs with animal activism – I can't make this stuff up.

Whatever happened to open discussion? The 2020 election marked an astounding point in history with the president of the U.S. censored for his political speech, but few people realize that tech companies have been actively censoring speech in a variety of other forums – including animal agriculture.