#genebaur

Friends of Hilda Club Party Recap!

Thirty years ago, we met a special animal who would change the course of our lives forever.  At Lancaster Stockyards, a six-month-old lamb had been callously tossed onto a dead pile, while still alive, because she was so dehydrated she could not stand. Stockyard workers abandoned her because they deemed her unprofitable; they figured that a “downed” animal was of no use to anyone. Little did they know that the sheep we named Hilda would have an immeasurable impact on the world, changing countless hearts and minds about our relationships with farm animals. On that fateful day, we saw Hilda as someone, not something; and after receiving the basic care she needed, Hilda went on to live a long and healthy life at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter. To this day, this ambassador for her species continues to have an impact on farm animals everywhere, as her legacy inspires compassionate action from treasured members and supporters just like you.

Hilda (right) was left for dead at a stockyard in Pennsylvania. After receiving care and love at Farm Sanctuary, this ambassador for her species spent more than ten years on our pastures, changing countless hearts and minds about farm animals just like her.

A very healthy Hilda, pictured with President and Co-founder Gene Baur. 

The Friends of Hilda Club, established in Hilda’s honor, pays tribute to this incredible ambassador and the billions of farm animals just like her who also deserve to live as nature intended – to feel the sun on their faces, form lifelong bonds with their friends and family, and freely exhibit their unique personalities. Consistent support from our Friends of Hilda Club members is crucial in sustaining our lifesaving rescue, education, and advocacy work, ensuring that our rescued residents receive the individualized care they need to thrive – and that we can continue to change the world for the innumerable beings just like them.

 On August 13-14, we honored the impact these valued allies have with a special celebration at our New York shelter. Guests enjoyed delicious vegan meals; partook in spirited discussions about the impact their donations make; and of course, spent quality time with our rescued residents, whom they honor each day through their selfless leadership gifts.

When we rescue animals like Alida from dire circumstances or provide our animals the care they need despite situations beyond our control, it’s because we have supporters like you who back us up at every step along the way. Farm Sanctuary is indebted to individuals like our Friends of Hilda Club members, who give consistently to ensure that we are as effective in our mission of creating a more compassionate world as possible. We are delighted to share some of our favorite highlights from our Friends of Hilda Club celebration, in honor of the good we can do when we align our actions with our compassionate values.

Irene enjoyed some quality time with Gene and Sonny on our main cattle pasture. Sonny, like Hilda, was also a downed animal left for dead at a stockyard; thanks to friends like our Hilda Club members, he is the healthy, gentle giant we know him to be today!

 Sonny also enjoyed a yummy apple treat from pal Julie!

Meanwhile, Pamela and Michael extending a loving hand to Blitzen, another stockyard survivor who is showing the world how sweet and loving cattle can be!

Meanwhile in our special needs herd, Kirsty enjoyed some one-on-one attention from her friend Michael. At 28, Kirsty is our eldest bovine resident, and we are grateful for our supporters’  help in caring for Kirsty throughout all stages of her life here!

Stella is also enjoying her later years in peace at our New York Shelter. Once prized for what her body could give, Stella is now loved as the incredible individual that Hilda Club members like Sean know her to be!

Moving on to our sheep and goat herd, it’s easy to see the love Jennifer has for her buddy Grace. While Grace is now blind, there’s no doubt she can feel this incredible connection with her humanimal friend. When we treat others with compassion, the love we receive in return knows no bounds.

Liam is grateful for friends like Queenie, whose support saved his life when he needed help most. Now, Liam is changing others’ lives by showing how lovable sheep  — and all farm animals  — can be when we put compassion first.

Roger was a popular pal, showing nothing but love for Tambra (top) and Aimee (bottom). It is incredible to witness the transformations these animals experience when we treat them compassionately, as the magnificent individuals we know them to be. 

His twin sister Jennifer was just as sweet, offering affectionate nuzzles to Irene. These siblings were rescued from tragedy, but have learned to trust and love their humanimal friends; this is what supporters like you make possible when you donate to Farm Sanctuary’s rescue, education, and advocacy work.

And let’s not forget about gentle Skye, pictured here with Dana. Skye was found in a Rubbermaid container along with another goat. But here, Skye can roam around to his heart’s delight. Skye has CAE, a virus that impacts the joints, and as he is quite tall the disease places additional strain on his legs. But thanks to friends like Dana, Skye receives all the love and care he needs at sanctuary. And this sweet boy is continuously changing hearts and minds about how affectionate and friendly goats can be.

And of course, a Farm Sanctuary visit would not be complete without a trip to the pig barn! Aimee and Nick join Gene in a group belly rub for Jane pig, whose resourcefulness as a youngster brought her to our New York Shelter.

Johanna demonstrates how pigs like Maggie love a good belly rub just as much as dogs do! Maggie, one of Julia’s babies, was born at sanctuary and has always been treated with compassion. When we get to know animals on their level, it is amazing how all of our lives can change for the better!

Honoring the ambassador who started it all. Our guests join Susie for a tribute to Hilda while listening to Gene’s reflections on how her legacy continues to inspire good to this day. Hilda’s grave is a popular spot for visitors to reflect on our relationships with farm animals, inspiring us to help even more animals just like her.

Weekend-at-a-glance: just a few more highlights from this celebratory weekend, where we honored our rescued residents and the compassionate allies who make everything possible.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Farm Sanctuary!

Today, April 17, marks 30 years since Farm Sanctuary was incorporated and a new movement celebrating farm animal rights and protection was born. Since our inception, president and co-founder Gene Baur has been at the forefront of our rescue, education, and advocacy work, changing hearts and minds about farm animals by showing that these magnificent beings are someone, not something. Hailed as the “conscience of the food movement” by Time magazine, Gene has worked tirelessly to shift the dynamic about our relationships with farm animals and has encouraged countless individuals to make more compassionate choices.

Gene getting some affection from Orlando at our New York Shelter.

Recently, we sat down with Gene to reflect on what the past 30 years have meant to him, and how Farm Sanctuary has evolved into the effective proponent of change it is today. We are honored to feature the journey of one of our very first humanimals, and to acknowledge how every humanimal over the past 30 years – including you! – has made a difference in the lives of farm animals everywhere.

What goals did you have in mind for the organization before Hilda was rescued? How did rescuing Hilda reinforce or change these plans?

Our initial intent with Farm Sanctuary was to investigate and expose the abuses associated with factory farming and to demand reforms. Rescuing Hilda off a pile of dead animals at Lancaster Stockyards in 1986 was an extension of our investigations, and led to new ways to advocate for farm animals.

Hilda had been discarded on a “downer” dead pile.

Hilda’s rescue provided hope and healing in the midst of the vast suffering we’d witnessed at farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses. It also allowed us to educate by contrasting the experiences and attitudes that exist when animals are treated as friends, instead of as food, and to model a new kind of mutually beneficial relationship with farm animals.

Hilda spent nearly 11 years on our pastures, and her legacy serves as inspiration for our lifesaving rescue, education, and advocacy work!

Briefly describe the early days of caring for Hilda and the animals who followed before moving to Watkins Glen. How did education and advocacy work tie in (and when did you determine the efficacy of a rescue-education-advocacy approach?)

Before acquiring the farm in Watkins Glen, we lived in a row house in Wilmington, DE. This is where we rehabilitated Hilda and other rescued farm animals, and since we had limited space, we quickly instituted our adoption network to place rescued animals in good homes. Caring for sheep, turkeys, goats, and other farm animals also drew the attention of neighbors, especially children. These animals became ambassadors for their species, as people learned of their harrowing stories and came to see them as individuals who deserved to be treated with compassion.

Our educational efforts have been critical since the beginning. We educate people about the cruelty of factory farming, and aim to change how society views and treats farm animals by modeling relationships in which cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and other animals are our friends, not our food. The importance of advocating for changes in our food system, and preventing animals from being abused, was immediately apparent. While it is impossible for any shelter to rescue even a small fraction of the billions of animals exploited in the food industry each year, we can create widespread change by sharing our residents’ stories and promoting improved recognition and treatment for countless beings just like them.

Hilda and Gene relaxing together.

Name some of your favorite Farm Sanctuary residents over the years, and what these relationships have meant to you. What are some lessons that these animals have taught you?

An important lesson the animals have taught me over the years is resilience, an ability to recover, heal, and overcome enormous hardships.  They have also taught me the importance of being present, living in the moment, and enjoying life and friendship, and they have shown me how living in positive, mutually beneficial relationships helps everybody thrive. Some of the individuals who have touched me over the years include a pig named Johnny, a chicken named Perdie, and a steer named Opie.

Gene and Opie; the best of friends.

Johnny was a loyal companion and protector of Hope, a disabled pig; he would make sure that the other pigs did not encroach upon her space or take her food.

Perdie was a chicken who was rescued from a Perdue Farms hatchery, and spent the first few weeks of his life in our home (which was a school bus on a tofu farm in Pennsylvania at the time); as a result, we grew very close. When it came time for him to live with the other chickens, Perdie made it clear that he wanted to stay with his human friends, but he eventually warmed up to his new bird family.

Opie was sent to the stockyard on the day he was born, still wet from afterbirth. It was a freezing day and he succumbed to hypothermia, and was left to die in the alleyway where he fell. When I found him, he was nearly comatose, and his temperature was so low that it wouldn’t read on the thermometer.

Despite long odds, he made a full recovery and lived a long, happy life at Farm Sanctuary. I loved seeing and visiting this gentle giant, who grew to weigh nearly 3,000 pounds, on the farm.

What are some milestones within Farm Sanctuary’s history that you are most proud of?

I am proud of the leading role Farm Sanctuary has played in bringing awareness to the plight of animals exploited in agriculture, and the role Farm Sanctuary has played in inspiring a burgeoning vegan food movement. We have come a long way over the past 30 years, and I’m very optimistic about the future. Besides initiating the farm sanctuary movement, we were pioneers in undercover investigations, corporate campaigns, and vegan outreach. Among our successes, we convinced Burger King to sell a veggie burger nationwide, achieved a federal ban on the slaughtering of downed cows, played a key role in exposing and outlawing the inhumane confinement of animals on factory farms in a number of states, and have helped advance a serious discussion about our food system, which has contributed to a reduction in meat consumption.

Are there any laws, policies, or initiatives that have helped or hindered our progress?

There are a variety of laws and policies in place that help maintain the status quo, enabling and supporting a costly and abusive animal-based food system. Animal agriculture receives billions of dollars in government subsidies and has preferential access to increasingly scarce natural resources, like water, at below market cost. At the same time, it is protected by various laws and policies, including “right to farm” laws, which allow these operations to behave irresponsibly without reprisal. They are also sheltered from food industry critics by food disparagement laws, which landed Oprah Winfrey in court when she raised concerns about the beef industry; “ag-gag” laws aimed at preventing undercover investigations of inhumane farms; and the federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, which unfairly labels and penalizes animal advocates. On the positive side, a number of laws have been enacted over the past 15 years to limit some of the cruelest systems, including veal crates, gestation crates, and battery cages. When such legislation is proposed, it spurs public discourse, which raises awareness and tends to depress the demand for meat.

Gene shuttles a calf to safety.

How has the animal agriculture industry changed over the past 30 years?

The factory farming business has continued to grow, taking over small farms and wreaking havoc throughout rural America. However, as opposition to factory farming has spread, and several states have outlawed some of the cruelest farming systems (such as veal crates, gestation crates, and battery cages), farmers and retailers are increasingly marketing animal products with labels suggesting that the animals are being treated well. It is positive to see growing concern about the suffering of animals exploited for food, but labels suggesting that animals are being treated humanely usually sound  a lot better than they are, and well-meaning consumers are being misled.

What is a notable challenge that you have faced? How did this experience shape you as an advocate and activist and influence the way you interacted with others moving forward?

The Hegins pigeon shoot in Pennsylvania was a focus of the animal rights movement in the late 1980s. It was an annual community fundraiser centered around shooting pigeons and drinking beer. Animal advocates began showing up to protest with the intention of stopping the killing. We would vocally demonstrate our opposition and disgust with the event, often resulting in open conflict with its participants. Various arrests were made over the years as police tried to maintain order in the midst of what became a volatile environment. The violent circus atmosphere attracted shoot supporters who enjoyed the conflict, which made us realize that our confrontational approach was not having the intended result.

We decided to change our tactics; rather than fighting with shooters, we began documenting the violence of the pigeon shoot and rescuing injured birds. When the shooters and their supporters sought to fight, we refused. Unfortunately, the group began to take on more drastic measures to stir us up. They rushed to catch injured birds in order to prevent us from helping them. And they’d rip off the birds’ wings and bite off their heads, attempting to incite conflicts with us.

As the shooters escalated their confrontational tactics, however, we remained nonviolent and continued documenting their behavior. During the multi-year battle, Farm Sanctuary incorporated as a Pennsylvania law enforcement agency and filed cruelty charges, complementing other legal strategies underway to end the shoot. Our behavior came to be seen as respectable and responsible, and the shooters, still seeking to create violent confrontations, were behaving in abominable ways. Their position became less tenable and more desperate.

In the event’s final year, the shooters' violence was continuously met with nonviolence, which ultimately prevailed. At the end of the day, after most people had left, a small group of animal advocates convened around a veterinary van where rescued pigeons were being cared for. When a group of frustrated shooters came over for one last try at stirring up a conflict we linked arms and turned our backs to them, placing ourselves between the shooters and the pigeons. Thankfully, the police arrived just as the shooters did and told them to disperse. It was a fitting end to an ugly event. This episode helped me understand the power of nonviolence in creating social change.

In the end, were able to rescue dozens of pigeons, many of whom came to live at Farm Sanctuary. And if you visit our Watkins Glen shelter today, you can see the descendants of these Hegins birds.

Selling veggie dogs to benefit farm animals.

How has the animal rights movement changed over the past 30 years?

The animal rights movement has grown significantly over the past 30 years. There are many more nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting animals today than in 1986, including many who focus on helping farm animals. At the same time, older, mainstream organizations have started including farm animals in their area of concern, and our movement is increasingly partnering with aligned organizations in the environmental, health, and food sectors. There is more awareness and opposition to factory farming today than ever, and it’s never been a better time to be vegan. We are in the midst of a burgeoning food movement, with farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, and community gardens spreading. Plant-based businesses are flourishing and attracting enormous amounts of capital as the marketplace shifts. In 1986, I needed to mix soy powder with water to make soy milk. Today, I can go into most mainstream grocery stores and find a variety of alternatives to cows’ milk, including almond, soy, and coconut-based milks.

Gene with Elliott goat.

How has your life changed since Farm Sanctuary was established?

As Farm Sanctuary has grown and evolved, I have grown and evolved. I cofounded Farm Sanctuary when I was 23, and am in my 50s now. I remain impatient about the slow pace of change, but that has been tempered by a recognition that this work is a long-term, complex effort that requires patience and persistence. I’ve adopted several mantras, including the serenity prayer, that provide guidance along the way:  “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” I consciously choose to focus on and dwell in positive things that are happening, instead of dwelling in the immense pain and sadness of our world. The sanctuary has been and continues to be a place of hope and healing, for animals and people.

What does a typical day for you entail? How has this changed over the past 30 years?

There is really no typical day for me now. In the early years, I was involved with investigations, animal rescue and care, and farm maintenance. I was also engaged with raising awareness and advocating on behalf of farm animals, in addition to growing the organization. Those years involved routine daily activities, like feeding and cleaning chores and corresponding with our early members and supporters, along with emergency animal rescues, veterinary trips, and occasional media and speaking opportunities. Today, I spend most of my time speaking to supporters and others who are curious about Farm Sanctuary’s work, and I travel extensively.  For example, last week I traveled to Florida, Texas, and Minnesota for meetings, talks, events, and media appearances. I enjoy meeting people across our country and around the world, but also need to be mindful about taking care of myself during the more grueling travel periods.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of Farm Sanctuary life?

I love being in nature, which I find to be healing and regenerative. I also enjoy running (especially in nature), and playing Ultimate Frisbee along with other sports. I love history and learning about different human experiences and beliefs in various times and places. My undergraduate degree is in Sociology and I remain keenly interested social systems and structures.

Gene running the L.A. Marathon.

Gene and vegan ultramarathoner Scott Jurek enjoy some time on the trails during one of our annual Hoe Down events.

What are some lessons we’ve learned over the past 30 years, and how can we apply these teachings going forward?

We have learned how entrenched animal agriculture is and that taking on this industry requires dedication, patience, and persistence. We need to remain engaged and effective for many years, so it’s important to take care of ourselves, which entails things as basic as getting enough rest, eating well, and staying hydrated. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how emotional human beings are, and how attached we can become to harmful behaviors.  We are not so much ‘rational animals’ as we are ‘rationalizing animals,’ and we have a strong propensity to rationalize when we don’t feel good about our conduct. Over the course of human history, we have come up with many reasons to do very bad things, and that continues today. However, I’ve noticed that everybody has a desire for love and kindness; focusing on these qualities, and supporting and empowering that spark, is an effective way to create positive change.

We are indebted to Gene for his guidance, compassion, and leadership over the past 30 years, and honored to share and learn from his experience and perspective.

Gene and Ari at our New York Shelter.

We encourage you to join in the conversation by visiting Gene on Facebook, clicking “Like” if you haven’t already, and sharing your own memories!

It’s finally here! Tonight, 7/21/15 is the Veg Evening in Frederick, featuring “Breakfast for Dinner” at Glory Doughnuts and a Book-signing at The Curious Iguana book store by Farm Sanctuary legend, Gene Baur. Everything kicks off at 7pm, but please, please, please, do NOT line-up before 6pm. There are other businesses and private homes around both of these locations, and we cannot block them.

 Glory Doughnuts, Marylands only all-vegan doughnut shop, is at 244 East Church Street, Frederick. Though typically open only early in the day, owners Alissa and Keirsten will welcome dinner patrons for doughnuts, tofu-fried-egg sandwiches and vegan BBQ sammies. Yes folks, it is really vegan breakfast for dinner. Vegan-owned indie bookstore Curious Iguana, 12 North Market Street in Downtown Frederick, from 7 ‘til 9 pm to meet Gene Baur, the cofounder and president of Farm Sanctuary and NYT best-selling author of “Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every Day.” In this definitive vegan and lifestyle guide,  Baur explores the transformative experience of visiting the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization and the basic tenets of Farm Sanctuary life. The book teaches readers how to incorporate Farm Sanctuary principles into their lives and also how to cook and eat the Farm Sanctuary way, with 100 delicious recipes. All books sold that night will benefit Farm Sanctuary’s animals directly!

But WAIT - there’s MORE! Yes, MORE! Get a MAP online or when you arrive at Glory Doughnuts/Curious Iguana to check all the participating businesses…. If you’re still hungry or want to shop, we’ve got you! Check out this array of vegan awesomeness!!!

More than 200 attendees are expected to crowd downtown Frederick for this event.  PLEASE RSVP on our Facebook page.

VINI CULTURE, 3pm to 10pm; A self-serve, high-tech dispensing system is at the heart of this casual, urban bar and café where carefully selected wines are  purchased by the taste, half, or full glass. Bottles are also available to go. Options include:  Variety of Dips served with veggies - Hummus - Roasted Tomato Hummus - Tapenade - Black Bean - Vini’s Veggie Flatbread - Side Salad - Veggie Sandwich - Monster Vegan Sandwich

SWEETIES, noon to 8pm;  Indulge in bright vegan sorbets or go healthy with a sorbet, fruit and juice-based smoothie!

SUBWAY, 8am to 9pm,  Offering the all vegan Black Bean and Malibu Garden sandwiches.

VINYL ACRES - 11am to 9pm, special day-of event hours;  Records, live music, great stories from music history. And free beer! No joke.

DANCING BEAR TOYS & GIFTS, 10am to 9pm, special day-of event hours; At the Dancing Bear, creativity comes first – this is a battery-free toy store! Vegan owned since 2000, the Dancing Bear emphasizes not only toy safety, but also includes fair working conditions and fair pay, earth-friendly materials and packaging, and long-term play value. Stop by and put some play in your day!

AYSE MEZE LOUNGE & RESTAURANT, 11:30am to 11pm;  Bringing the best of Greek, Turkish and Lebanese Cuisine in small dishes. Rated in the top 100 restaurants in Washingtonian Magazine. Options include: Hummus - Babaganoush - Mahmarra - Raw Veg - Falafel - Dolmades - Mantar - Dev Fasulye - Enginar - Bruksel Lahanasi - Yesil Nohut - Havuc Koftesi - Misir Makarna - Sebze Kebab - Greek Salad - Mercimek Corbasi - Pancar - Coban Tabbouleh - Various Olives - Wilted Spinach - Rice Pilaf

THAT HUMMUS PLACE, 10:30am to 9pm, special day-of event hours;  Offering a variety of vegetarian & vegan-friendly dining options. Stop in for a delicious and affordable lunch or dinner! Options Include: Falafel Sandwich - Hummus & Eggplant Sandwich - Just Salad Sandwich - Garden Salad w/Falafel -  Baba Ghannouj w/Pita - Hummus w/Pita - Eggplant Salsa Dip - Rice - Pita Bread

CARROLL CREEK LINEAR PARK, along Carroll Creek from South East Street through S. Market Street; Ampitheater offering free  concert with Danny and the Red Pants Band, 7pm to 8:30pm (children’s music by former bassist for They Might Be Giants)

SAVAGE SOAPS, 10:30am to 9pm, special day-of event hours;  Savage Soaps are olive oil-based, wildly natural with an edgy ancient appeal, using essential oils and the purest ingredients  from our natural earth. All vegan, no animal-testing, 100% cruelty-free, woman-owned.

PRETZEL & PIZZA CREATIONS - 8am to 11pm;  Fun food featuring soft pretzels, pretzel sandwiches and pizzas with beer, wine and a full coffee bar. Options include: Soft Pretzels (order w/o butter) - Stuffed Pretzels with cashews, raisins, almonds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, pecans or walnuts -  Gazpacho - Garden Salad (order w/o cheese) - Vegan Pretzel Sandwich - Garden Veggie Pretzel Sandwich (order w/o cheese) - Fresh Veggie Calzone  (order w/o cheese/butter) - Pretzel Pizza with choice of Fresh Veggies (order w/o cheese)

SUMITTRA THAI CUISINE - 4:30pm to 9:30pm;  Tradtitional Thai Restaurant. Be sure to specify vegan/no fish sauce/no egg when ordering your meal. Options include: Veggie Garden Roll - Crispy Tofu - Edamame- veggie Curry Puffs - Green Salad - Seaweed Salad - Various Stir Fry with Tofu or Vegetables - Various Curries with Tofu of Vegetables - Spciy Fried Rice with Tofu or Vegetables

EAST CHURCH STREET GARAGE,  $2 flat rate after 5pm , open 24 hours a day; On -Street Parking, free after 5pm.