CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES IN ANIMAL AG

CASEY KINLER, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER MISSION: BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN FARM & FORK ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alltech American Farm Bureau Federation Cattle Empire American Feed Industry Association, chair Charleston|Orwig American National CattleWomen, Inc. Cooper Farms American Sheep Industry Association Diamond V American Veal Association Elanco Animal Health Dairy Management Inc. Farm Journal National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Genus- PIC/ABS National Chicken Council Hy-Line North America National Corn Growers Association Iowa Soybean Association National Pork Board Merck Animal Health National Pork Producers Council Morning Fresh Farms National Turkey Federation New Mexico State University North American Meat Institute Nutrien U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Smithfield Hog Production United Egg Producers Texas Cattle Feeders Association United Soybean Board Zoetis WHY DO WE EXIST?

THE FUTURE OF YOUR LIVELIHOOD IS UNDER ATTACK FROM ACTIVIST GROUPS WHO WANT TO END THE INDUSTRY. ACTIVISTS TARGET CONSUMERS, CUSTOMERS, POLICY MAKERS, INVESTORS…

YOU ARE ANTAGONISTS REASONABLE ANTAGONISTS HERE MAJORITY IS HERE ARE THERE CONSUMERS ARE HUNGRY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM. THEIR AGENDA: ANIMAL RIGHTS

“We’re preying on emotions to push our vegan agenda.” – David Coman-Hidy, The Humane League

“Sometimes you have to be aggressive, and it doesn’t matter what form.” – Inga Fricke, Humane Society of the U.S.

"My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.” – John “J.P.” Goodwin, HSUS

“We are trying to destroy animal agriculture.” – Wayne Hsiung,

“Animal rights is different from . It’s not about better cages; it’s about empty cages.’’ - Anita Krajnc, The Save Movement

“There is no such thing as humane slaughter.” - Michael Budkie, Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!

“We as a movement need to push the boundaries of the law.” - Jay Shooster, attorney and activist

“Our movement must adopt all avenues, the methodical and radical.’’ – Simone Reyes, Social Compassion in Legislation

“Animals are people too.” --Demetria Atkinson, Redefine Your Mind

Purchasing Food/ Stock/ Health Investors Scares/Anti- Pressure Technology Retailers Legislation Restaurants Regulation Brands Ballot Initiatives Undercover Employment Videos Environment Sustainability TACTICS Campaigns

Mass Protests TARGETING Theft Violence ANIMAL AG Religion

Lawsuits & FTC Complaints Social Media/ PR Campaigns Celebrity Youth/ Activists College Humane Campuses Education “UNDERCOVER” EMPLOYMENT & VIDEOS PROTEST & “” BREAK INS, THEFT OF ANIMALS OR DEMANDS TO RELEASE ANIMALS “FRONTLINE SURVEILLANCE” VIGILS ACTIVISTS MISREPRESENTING THEMSELVES TO GAIN ENTRY

• Claiming to be USDA officials – Calling a dairy claiming to be with USDA animal welfare division and demanding to be allowed to watch a milking for the farm to continue shipping milk – Showing up after hurricanes saying they must inspect the damage • Census workers – Incidents in several different states with Census Bureau workers (or people claiming to be affiliated with the Census Bureau) asking to enter livestock and poultry barns. – Census workers should be willing to provide proper identification and should not be entering barns or other biosecure areas. – The Census.gov website lists how to identify a Census worker. LAWSUITS RESTAURANT/RETAIL PRESSURE USING CLIMATE CHANGE TO ENCOURAGE REDUCTION OF MEAT CONSUMPTION ACTIVISTS TARGETING FAITH WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? START ON THE FARM- “YOUTUBE PROOF”

Help customers: • Understand the issues, regulations, markets • Ensure policies re: use of antibiotics are followed • Implement science-based animal care and environmental policies • Seek advice from experts • Strive for continuous improvement • Create a culture of care and professionalism for all job levels • Training employees thoroughly and have refresher courses; zero tolerance for mistreatment of animals • Conduct self audits; 3rd party audits FARM SECURITY

• The basics: No Trespassing/Biosecurity signage, locks, lights, cameras • Visitors - expected and unexpected – Verify identity – Escort at all times – Make sure all staff know how to handle visitors • Carefully evaluate information requests • Implement a rigorous hiring process CRISIS PLANNING

• Proactively connect with local law enforcement – let them know any concerns you have and ask for advice and a protocol • Have a plan in place for handling activist issues before they happen • Watch for warning signs • Monitor media and social media • Have a crisis plan in place for special events – fairs, shows, open house PUT A FACE ON ANIMAL AGRICULTURE

• People are hungry to learn about where their food comes from • Help them get answers from people who work in agriculture instead of the internet or activists • Media training • Community engagement • Share on social media • Be willing to answer genuine questions

WHAT WE’RE DOING

We CONNECT key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We ENGAGE food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We PROTECT by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. CONNECT

• Stakeholders Summit: PRIMED & PREPARED – May 7-8, 2020 in Arlington, VA – Summit.AnimalAgAlliance.org • College Aggies Online – Communications training & scholarship competition for college students interested in agriculture • Animal Ag Allies – Communications training for farmers, ranchers and practicing veterinarians ENGAGE PROTECT

• Monitoring activists • Group profiles • Conference reports • Book and movie overviews • Advice for protests • Farm security recommendations FARM SECURITY & HIRING HUB

• Farm security and hiring resources for Alliance members – Interview questions – Red Flags – Activist Profiles – Crisis Management – Text & email alerts STAY IN THE KNOW Follow us and share our posts! Sign up for our newsletter: AnimalAgAlliance.org

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• Security & crisis management resources • Alerts • Farm Security & Hiring Hub • Monthly member update • Reports on activist strategies & tactics AnimalAgAlliance.org/Join • Graphics & reports to help share animal ag’s story • Discounted registration for the annual Stakeholders Summit THANK YOU CASEY KINLER COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER [email protected] 703-562-1411 @CaseyKinler

MEET THE REST OF OUR MIGHTY TEAM ONLINE AT animalagalliance.org/about/staff