What is humane farming?

_Elsa_

Bright and early Friday morning, Elsa and Tiffi meet at the bus station. 

The girls are excited to be going on a trip, especially to visit Amelia. The ride takes a couple of hours and just before they arrive in Dairy District Elsa calls Amelia to find out where they should meet her. 

When they meet up with Amelia she is just about done picking the cropsies. Amelia is excited to see the two of them but curious why now?

“Well, I was looking online searching for story ideas and I found articles that really upset me,” says Tiffi. “I spoke to Elsa and I was telling her about the abuse that farm animals go through when they are live in a farm factory. She suggested that we come to visit you and talk to you about this.”

Amelia knows quite a bit about that, so she suggests that they walk back to her home and she can share what she knows about it. 

“Let me share with you what humane farming is,” says Amelia. “I know a lot about FACT, Food Animals Concern Trust. This is their mission.”

‘MISSION: FACT advances our vision that all food-producing animals are raised in a humane and healthy manner. We accomplish this by supporting humane farmers, promoting policies that make foods from animals safe and healthy to eat, and helping consumers make informed food choices.

‘FACT believes there is a better, more humane way to raise farm animals. At minimum, farm animals deserve adequate space, access to the outdoors, clean water and air, the opportunity to express their natural behaviors, and healthful feed. Furthermore, FACT believes that living conditions should allow food animals to live and feed without aggression from other animals, including predators and members of their species.

"Humane farming" may seem like a vague or loosely defined term, but FACT maintains a set of strict beliefs and principles on how we define humane farming. Animals should receive antibiotics only for treatment of disease or illness, as prescribed by a veterinarian. Antibiotics, hormones, or other substances should not be used to promote faster animal growth. All animals should be fed a natural diet free of animal by-products and have continuous access to clean and well-ventilated housing or shelter that protects them from weather extremes. ‘ (Source) 

They arrive at Amelia’s home and she puts leaves the cropsies in the basket and she makes a phone call. 

“Hi Joe, it’s Amelia,” she says. “How are things doing? I have a couple of my friends from Candy Town visiting me today and I was wondering if you would have some time to speak to them about your farm animals. Great! I’ll see you soon.” 

Amelia tells Tiffi and Elsa that her friend Joe has a farm with various animals, and he is going to explain all the farm animals to them.

Let’s continue - The girls learn about chickens

Start at the beginning – Tiffi and Elsa take a trip to Dairy District