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Why Have a Crate-Free Petition for Minnesota’s Farmed Animals?
There are many reasons to support a crate-free policy for Minnesota’s farmed animals. The majority of Minnesota farmed animals are raised on factory farms, also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), and are treated terribly. These farms also harm Minnesota’s residents and water quality.
Together, we can change Minnesota’s policies and/or laws to improve conditions starting this year. Below are ways to take action as an individual or as an organization.
We encourage you to sign and support this crate-free petition for the reasons outlined below. This article also shares what practices towards animals, people, and the environment won’t change as a result of the changes this petition calls for.
Treatment of Minnesota’s Farmed Animals
The animals we raise for food have family relationships and basic needs just like all other animals, including humans!
Most Minnesotans want to see changes in how these animals are treated. The petition and legislation calls for these ideas:
- Mother pigs should not be put in crates/cages that prevent them from getting up while feeding their children.
- Chickens should not be forced to live in small battery cages where they are stuffed in with other chickens and cannot spread their wings.
- Baby calves should not be forced to live in tiny veal crates that they can only exit via a short rope staked to the ground.
Changes in these practices would end a great deal of suffering for the over 90 million animals raised for food in Minnesota. We urge you to sign this petition today.
Meet John Pierce: A valued volunteer with CAA
January 1, 2024
Get ready to be inspired by John Pierce, a passionate volunteer at CAA. John’s journey with CAA began at the 2023 Twin Cities Pride Festival, where he was captivated by the warm and welcoming volunteers at the CAA tent. As someone who cares deeply about animal well-being, John felt an instant connection with the organization.
In his role as a volunteer, John has actively contributed to various CAA events. He helped with vendor set-up at Twin Cities Veg Fest last year. In addition, John used his photography skills there to capture special moments, like the exciting opening ‘rope drop.’ He also participated in a workday at Chicken Run Rescue, demonstrating his commitment to hands-on involvement.
BrightSide Produce: Creating equitable access to fresh fruits and veggies
January 1, 2023
Access to fresh and affordable produce is a challenge faced by many low-income communities, often referred to as “food deserts.” However, Brightside Produce, a groundbreaking organization founded in 2014 in the Twin Cities, is on a mission to improve equitable access to fresh fruits and vegetables. They have developed a unique, sustainable model to make this all happen. BrightSide has stepped up to be a sponsor of our February 10 visit from Dr. Michael Greger and we want you to know about their exciting work.
BrightSide Produce’s primary goal is to improve access to fresh and affordable produce in low-income neighborhoods. In these neighborhoods, residents often have to rely on small convenience stores as their primary source of groceries. These stores often lack fresh fruits and vegetables because they often can’t meet the minimum order amount required by wholesalers. And when they do get produce, they have to pay more and charge more. But with BrightSide, store owners can order as little as they want and still get a break on costs.
Survey Says: Your input helps us support compassionate journeys
And you could win a $50 gift card to the Herbivorous Butcher!
December 21, 2023
Last year, many in our community stepped up to provide valuable information on how we can improve our weekly newsletter to better support their compassionate journeys. Through a short survey, they shared their thoughts, and one lucky person won a $25 gift card to Herbivorous Butcher for doing so! We won by finding out a lot of great information that helped us enhance our newsletter content this year. Thanks to all who took part in this process.
With your input in mind, we aimed to create content that is more informative, useful, and inspiring. To gauge our success and gather further insights, we would love it if you would take a few minutes to complete the same survey so we can compare the results to last year’s. We hope that it will show success in our efforts, but either way, we will gain even more information to further enhance our approach and content. And this year you might win a $50 gift card to the Herbivorous Butcher!
CAA co-founder, Unny Nambudiripad, and Twin Cities Veg Fest featured in PBS special
December 8, 2023
Pioneer PBS is airing six stories about how plant-based foods are changing farming, culture, and what we eat. We are excited about Episode 4! At the 7.08 mark you will see Unny Nambudiripad, a CAA co-founder, talking about his pathway to a plant-based diet. Twin Cities Veg Fest also got a lot of air time as his interview started there. It ends with dinner with his parents — CAA supporters Godan and Savihtry Namudiripad. In his interview, Unny shared “We’ve really been able to tap into the excitement and interest in plant-based foods.”
Discover Flourish Food Market: Accessible, fresh, and free plant-based options for all
December 7, 2023
You may be interested to know of this fantastic resource in our community. Flourish Food Market is a free plant-based food market that aims to provide fresh and healthy food options to those who may have difficulty accessing them. They are committed to promoting overall health and well-being for all.
Flourish offers a wide range of fresh and healthy plant-based foods. Whether you’re looking for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or legumes, this market has got you covered. You can personally choose the foods you want and need, just like shopping at any regular grocery store.
Tribute to Karen Davis… a bellwether in the political storms that animal rights advocates have to face. And Viva, her first rescue who started it all…
A guest blog by Mary Britton Clouse of Chicken Run Rescue
December 5, 2023
No pictures of Karen holding Viva exist so we fixed that. The photo of Karen and Pippa was taken at CRR on February 4, 2006 on her 62nd birthday.
The most powerful force in social evolution is to see what needs to be done, act, and by example inspire and motivate others to follow. It takes but one mere mortal to set it in motion. Like a pebble in a pond, the ripple effect is felt by those near the center but radiates outward in the historical context of a movement. An abandoned hen is rescued, named Viva, and so it began…
Karen Davis, PhD, Founder of United Poultry Concerns (UPC), was such a force. She died on November 4, 2023 at the age of 79. This solitary, diminutive powerhouse of a woman leaves a vast void to fill. She singlehandedly opened the eyes of the world to the boundless joy and abject misery of chickens. Her tireless efforts and breathtaking gifts of language, intellect and empathy created a legacy of accomplishments that lifts chickens from the bottom of the moral heap, to the top of the animal rights agenda. Chickens represent the most visible victims of land animal agriculture in both sheer numbers and in the degree of atrocities. Even animal advocates were overwhelmed by the magnitude of suffering.
A feast of gratitude: Recapping the 2023 ThankLiving potluck at UMN
November 27, 2023
On November 18, 2023, the University of Minnesota St. Paul Student Union was filled with the tantalizing aroma of delicious vegan dishes as over 100 people gathered for our annual ThanksLiving potluck event. The diverse spread included an array of mouthwatering treats, from sides and drinks to hearty mains and decadent desserts. Among the culinary stars were the delectable vegan turkey and gluten-free meatloaf generously donated by The Herbivorous Butcher. These were cornerstones of the feast that left taste buds filled with appreciation. Check out this article in University of Minnesota daily online newspaper about the event!
Faunalytics: Guiding Effective Animal Advocacy Through Research Insights
November 21, 2023
Faunalytics: Guiding Effective Animal Advocacy Through Research Insights
We are delighted to highlight the impactful work of Faunalytics. This nonprofit provides insights and resources to help guide positive change for animals. Staff and board members recently participated in an orientation to their free services. The presentation included some key insights that may help us be more effective.
Get to know Ryan Sauers, CAA Volunteer
November, 21, 2023
Ryan moved here to attend the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2021. He looked for a community of people as passionate about animal rights and activism as he is. The student chapter of CAA appealed to him. He got involved with them because of the group’s outreach opportunities and community.
At this point, Ryan has been volunteering with CAA for two and a half years. Most of his work has been with the U of MN CAA student chapter, where he is now the President. His volunteer activities have been many and varied. They include video outreach events, food giveaways, movie screenings, and more. He recently took on a larger volunteer role by signing up for the Twin Cities Vegan Chili Cook-Off committee.