Iowa is newest home for HSUS state council

What do Nebraska, Ohio, Colorado and, now, Iowa have in common? For starters, as of November 14, these are the four states where HSUS has established “State Agriculture Councils” consisting of farmers and ranchers in each state. According to HSUS, the Iowa council will focus on marketing opportunities for farmers and ranchers who practice certain animal welfare standards, highlight environmental stewardship and facilitate a dialogue with other farming and ranching organizations and their members. Chris Petersen, a Berkshire hog farmer from near Clear Lake, Iowa, is one of the founding members of the council in Iowa. Petersen is the immediate past president for the Iowa Farmers Union. “As an Iowa farmer, I believe family farmers and ranchers have much common ground with The HSUS when it comes to animal husbandry treatment,” said Petersen. “It’s a positive step to work together to address the future of animal agriculture and find solutions to animal welfare challenges.”...more