The Prairie Star: Montana Ag Newspaper

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The American Agri-Women (AAW) decided last week to help a children's Web site featuring natural resource providers while at an annual policy-setting meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

After an exciting exchange with Provider Pals founder Bruce Vincent, a Libby, Mont., logger, AAW members made plans to work with him to help promote the Provider Pals’ Web site for children, a game called Provider World. This site provides children a safe environment in which to explore farming and other natural resource-based occupations, through exciting games and activities.

This site is an extension of the main Provider Pals program in which classrooms adopt a logger, fisherman, miner, farmer or rancher as their very own for a year. The children receive videos, letters, photo albums and e-mails from their provider, and once a year he visits the school to talk and answer questions.

The program got off the ground in 1997 and has since expanded to include over 300 classrooms in 20 cities across the nation and Canada, addressing the question, “Where does my stuff come from?”

The Provider World Web site offers AAW members a unique avenue for reaching thousands of children to give them accurate information about farmers and how important farming is to them. The women took immediate action by collecting individual donations to sponsor a classroom for a year on the Web site and are planning to look into further fund-raising possibilities.

In other actions taken at their yearly mid-year meeting, members took a stand for responsible management of horses and other farm animals and opposed the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act as introduced in Congress in January 2007 and all other attempts on the local and state level to outlaw horse slaughter.

American Agri-Women is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women, with 50 state, commodity, agribusiness affiliate organizations and collegiate chapters throughout the country. AAW is an all volunteer organization, working to provide reliable information about agriculture to the public since 1974.

For more information about AAW’s positions on a wide range of agricultural topics, contact Marcie Williams, AAW president, president@americanagriwomen.org, or visit the Web site at http://www.americanagriwomen.org.

Comments »

charise deMao wrote on Oct 6, 2008 6:23 AM:

" I am disgusted by such a display of animal cruelty being demonstrated by this group!What kind of message do you think that sends to the future generation of our country? I'll tell you the message it sends is this:
if you don't want to focus your energy in a positive way to help those in need-just "eliminate them". "

Lin wrote on Oct 6, 2008 6:18 AM:

" I have wrote to Marcie Williams, at the beginning of this year, begging her to do some investigation into horse slaughter...her responce to me was that this was a bunch of garbage. I tried to explain that overbreeding is suppling horse slaughter. I sent her investigation reports and videos. She is turning her back on this despicable money making business. Horses are being butchered alive, USDA and the AVMA testified before Congress that the captive bolt should not be used on Equines, that there brains are set too far back. In Mexico stabbed in the spine and hung up alive. With all these facts the AAW will not help stop this disgrace, why MONEY. Teach your children well. "

CarlaB wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:45 PM:

" Wow, I wouldn't teach my child to dispose of their animals so easily once they become inconvenient to care for. Really, what does that teach your children? That once a thing becomes a bit inconvenient to care for you dispose of it in the easiest manner possible? Is it any wonder that old people are sent off to nursing homes and never again visited by their families? I'm glad I taught my daughter to take care of things even when she doesn't want to. I think I won't have to worry about being packed off and gotten rid of when I require a little extra care. "

Reality Check wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:04 AM:

" ALL ranch and farm animals are for the most part treated with love and respect. There are a few irresponsible that shouldn't own animals at all.

Horses are no different than cattle in the broad scheme of things. Children involved in livestock learn early that life and death are part of raising animals. Children in 4-H learn early their beloved Club Calf will eventually go to slaughter and be utilized for meat.

Banning horse slaughter is doing more to hurt horses than help them. Time to attempt to view the reality of too many horses and not enough homes or resources to care for them. "

I have questions wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:55 AM:

" The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is badly written with many possible negative consequences. It should not be made law. Moreover, not every equine is a 'nice horsey.' Some are temperamentally unsuited for use as companion and riding horses. With the drought in the southeast and the current economic conditions, some folks are finding they can no longer afford to keep their horses fed. Rescue organizations (not every outfit that calls itself a 'rescue' is reputable either) are at capacity. Responsible horse breeders have already cut back drastically on the numbers of mares they have bred. Unfortunately, there are far more irresponsible breeders of poor quality horses that may have conformational flaws and temperament issues. I homeschooled my children and taught them about the realities of life and death and agriculture. We raised and butchered our own rabbits for meat for our own consumption. We love animals very much, but we try to think logically about this issue rather than indulging in the typical uninformed, sentimental romantic fluffy thinking that some others do. "

Mean Gene wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:05 PM:

" Shocked that women believe in horse slaughter? Over 75% of horses are owned by women and the breeders are almost exclusively women. This travesty is being run by women whothink they can create the "perfect horse" from old "sally" and their bff's unpapered stallion. They are out of control and now they (and their poor horses) are paying the price.

Men passed laws against horse slaughter in the 40s.

Thanks ladies....way to go. "

Angels in Horsehair wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:49 PM:

" One only has to read the essay "Angels in Horsehair" in Kim Meeder's book "Hope Rising" to understand that horses are here on earth for us humans to learn from. To be inspired and comforted and blessed by. NOT to be exploited and then exterminated by greedy, lazy, arrogant mortals. Being loyal to them, humble around them, and honest with them is one of the ways God guides us on the road to heaven, I believe. Slaughtering a companion who has helped us get through life is one of the ways of the devil. I hope the children of the American Agri-Women read these comments with their own hearts and minds -- and refuse to be go down the path of convenient "killing." Kids, you don't have to accept everything your parents tell you is true. Don't be afraid to question the culture you are being brought up in -- and find don't give up 'til you find out the truth. Above all, stay childlike, sensitive, compassionate, gentle, warm, generous -- just like the horses who you love and who love you!

PS: Thank you, Prairie Star for printing ALL our comments. May they "touch" you as horses have touched us! "

KLB OHIO wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:30 PM:

" I'm ashamed of the AAW and that it took this stand. That you would combine this in an article trying to teach children responsibility... this is disgusting and my membership is cancelles and I hope all RESPONSIBLE WOMEN members will do the same. Horse slaughter is not a responsible solution. That they voted for this is beyond disgusting!

"

Jacalynt wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:03 PM:

" I find the AAW's stand on horse slaughter reprehensible. Slaughter does not "give horses peace", euthanasia does. And, well over 90% of horses slaughtered are not injured or behavior problems.

Horse Slaughter is the opposite of "responsible horse management". I am a responsible horse owner. I do not breed. I will not condone horse slaughter. And, when the time comes, I will help my horses cross over in peace. I am outraged that because of the irresponsibility of the AAW and others, I must fear horse theft.

That you pretend to teach children about the responsible stewardship of the earth, sickens me. Since you find horse slaughter so responsible, you should include film of the Mexican slaughter plants in your educational materials. You should include photos of the blood and other untreated effluent from the Cavel slaughter plant in Illinois flowing into local streams and water systems.

Thee is no justification for horse slaughter in this country. There is only cruelty and unbridled greed. "

Shelly Scherer wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:06 AM:

" We as woman, mothers, daughters and sisters are to be the part of the human race that does the heartfelt thinking for the rest of the world. We are to teach our children and families that although death is inevitable, death by torture is not.
I am appalled that any organization, much less one that is primarily female, would condone and approve of horse slaughter.
I would think that is anyone, much less a women, feels that torturing any animal for a few bucks is worth it, it is a sad sad commentary on not only your organization, but the women who belong to it.
With the love of our the Agri-business, you should be instilling with it, since they are so widely family owned and run, compassion and values outside the almighty dollar.
Many ranches have in the past and still do currently have equine work their entire lives as a faithful and hardworking companion for the farmer. And you approve to have them paid back in such a manner? Give them the dignity they have worked so hard for by opposing horse slaughter to the fullest extent!
Have everyone in your organization view an entire video of this process and have them tell me it's OK. If they approve, I pity the future of our farmers children.

"

MollyG wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:40 AM:

" I can't wait to see the children's website! Especially, the fun "let's take twinkles the pony to slaughter" game. Hint, you might lose points if your pony gets trampled in the kill buyers trailer. And who could forget the educational video about our friends the kill buyers brought to you buy the nice folks at the Le Pony Meat Plant. Really what values are you passing on to your children. Is making a buck of horse really that important to you? Aren't you people from the nation's "heartland"? "

JoAnne wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:32 AM:

" Oh yes, lets teach children how to make $ of the hide of horses. So what if it teaches them to abuse, or even steal horses as many "kill buyers" do. So what if us Americans don't eat horses, theres $ to be made off all the overbreeding. Why teach them proper horse management when we can do it the lazy mans way and make money. AAW how does that teach children to be responsible? Come on! Glad my children are learning from me and not you! "

lisaski wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:16 AM:

" Kudos to the AAW! These are people who know why the slaughter plants are actually needed! to provide a service and give horses peace when the alternatives do not provide this. If one does not agree with me, call your local rescue, ask how many horses they have that are lame, crazy and unadoptable. Ask how much space they have to accept horses. Ask how many horses they have turned away. Go and visit: most places you will find horses that would benefit from peace. How many horses are in rescues living in pain? "

Barbara Warner wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:01 PM:

" I am outraged that this group of women are for horse slaughter. I am from a long line of farmers and live on a farm myself. I would never consider sending my children's horses to slaughter although they have gone to college and no longer ride them. They helped me get them raised. Now I can help them live out their lives.I owe them that much and besides I love horses for their beauty and intelligence.
Horses are not livestock and are not raised so some rich foreighners can eat them. They have served us for centuries and are companion animals. Being rsponsible owners is the least we can do for them. This means stop over-breeding and caring for them with kindness and compassion. This is what you need to be teaching so that children will become good citizens. You will benefit also. "

Mac wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:17 PM:

" It is sad to see a "woman run" organization condone the brutality and barbarism that is horse slaughter.

Horses are not a piece of machinery that you discard, when it's worn out. Horses are living, breathing, sentient beings, who deserve respect for all that they do for us.

It is truly disheartening to know that children will be learning how to treat animals from those who are so cold-hearted that they would prefer to send their horses off to an unimaginable brutal death.

And the saddest part is that this brutal act is the result of greed. Rather than humanely end the life of the horse that served, you prefer to send them to the worst horror imaginable.

~"All creatures are created from the same paternal heartbeat of God. Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission…to be of service to them wherever they require it. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." - Saint Francis of Assisi~
"

Valerie wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:17 PM:

" One would think that AAW would have enough self-respect to research the issue of horse slaughter before making blanket statements that call for slaughtering our horses. What is "responsible" or "management" about slaughtering equines as opposed to being accountable for them? Skinny, fractious and sick horses are not the victims of slaughter. Furthermore, slaughtering them is NOT humane. I would invite anyone who thinks the word "humane" applies to horse slaughter to go watch. It is a disgraceful commentary on how we would offer death as an easy out as opposed to a responsible one when situations occur that might require a change of ownership. I am haunted by what I have seen of this. AAW members watch the videos. There are many. All you have to do is look online.
"

murbay wrote on Apr 8, 2008 7:09 PM:

" it is a sad of affairs when children get taught by their mothers that slaughtering horses is a good thing. maybe next field trip they could take their children to the slaughter plant. no wonder we have so many issues with violence in children and teens. "

CH wrote on Apr 8, 2008 3:44 PM:

" Horse slaughter is not humane and I am shocked that the AAW has taken this position. Horses were never meant to be food animals nor is horse meat legally sold in the US. The profits do not benefit anyone in the US; it is a heinous practice to only benefit foreign businesses.
Horses are hit between the eyes with a captive bolt; the same penetrating bolt used on cattle, however cattle do not have long necks and are not flight animals as horses are, so horses fight with all their might and wiggle around. Multiple shots with the captive bolt must be taken.... so how is that a humane death? Isn't it about time the American Agri-Women figured out that horse slaughter is not the way to control the equine population. Don't the Agri-Women know that most horses that are slaughtered are the young, healthy ones... not the ones that are old, crippled and blind. Let's move on to the 21st century. "

JoyceJM wrote on Apr 8, 2008 2:11 PM:

" The AAW is a disgrace!
Teach your children the difference between livestock used for food purposes and equines. Better yet, have your children accompany you to an equine slaughtering facility along with the pony that carried your kids throughout the show seasons. SHOW THEM what happens to the horses once little Bubba outgrows it.
The AAW claims to aspire to teach children about responsibility. If that were true they would teach their children about providing a HUMANE death once their equine partner can no be maintained. Responsibility is NOT about making a few bucks by sending a horse to a horrific death in a slaughter plant! Is this group EVER going to teach compassion toward animals????? And, does the Prarie Star have the backbone to print ALL comments?? "

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