Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead: An Update From FACT
By Harry Rhodes, Executive Director
FACT Staff at the Chicago Bean
As our new fiscal year begins, I’m excited to reach out with some thoughts and updates.
A couple of weeks ago, FACT staff from around the country gathered for our annual retreat in Chicago. We had a fantastic time exploring the city, from visiting The Bean to indulging in deep-dish pizza. Beyond the sightseeing, we dedicated time to reviewing our strategic plan. As a small but mighty team, we’ve achieved a lot and have exciting plans that we can’t wait to share with you soon.
Since our inception in 1982, FACT has positively impacted the lives of over 47,382,000 animals. Today, we work with nearly 12,000 farmers nationwide, fostering a community of humane farmers committed to raising their animals in healthy and humane conditions.
Check Out our Video on What a Truly Humane Farm Looks Like
We are dedicated to sharing farmer stories to change the narrative of livestock and poultry farming. It’s not about raising millions of animals in poor conditions to "feed the world," but about supporting thousands of small and mid-sized farmers who raise their animals in healthy environments and provide their communities with good, healthy food.
This is the future of farming, and you are a crucial part of it! By supporting our work, you’re making a significant difference. Our impact on farmers and animals wouldn't be possible without you.
Here are a couple of highlights from our previous fiscal year:
Fund-a-Farmer grants: We distributed over $251,000 to farmers. With 87 farms and ranches across 31 states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, this year’s grant recipients represent FACT’s most geographically diverse cohort. These funded projects are already benefiting their animals, ecosystems, and communities.
FDA moved forward with a ban on cancer-causing drug Carbadox: After nearly twenty years of advocacy, we’re thrilled that the FDA is moving to ban this drug. Its use in pigs leads to cancer-causing residues in pork products, exposes farm and feed plant workers to dangerous substances, and contaminates lakes and streams with pig manure. This is a huge victory for public health and FACT.
We hope you’re enjoying a wonderful summer. If you’re planning a cookout this season, check out our blog post on how to host a sustainable summer cookout!
Thank you for helping us create a new, healthy food system.