Cow Protection, A Crucial
Link to A Non-Violent Sustainable Economy
There
are currently 1.5 billion cattle populating the earth according to the Food
and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. That's about one cow
for every five human beings. They graze over 24% of the land mass of this
planet. Although the scientific community, the governments of the world,
and the mass media have devoted a great deal of time and effort to studying
and publicizing man's relentless assault on the earth's ecosystems, there
is a curious silence surrounding the issue of cattle. Here are some hard
core facts to ruminate over.
The breeding of animals--especially domesticated cattle--for the purpose
of organized animal killing-- is one the most destructive environmental
forces of the modern era. Seventy percent (70%) of all U.S. grain
production is devoted to livestock feed, primarily for cattle. To fatten
cattle for market, it now takes the equivalent of a gallon of gasoline to
produce a pound of grain fed beef in the United States. Every pound of
grain-fed flesh is secured at the expense of a burned forest, an eroded
rangeland, a barren field, a dried up river or stream, and the release of
millions of tons of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and methane into the
skies.
For
a public used to thinking of environmental threats exclusively in terms of
automobile exhaust, factory effluents and toxic and radioactive materials,
the magnitude of the environmental destruction caused by commercial dairy
and cattle operations may come as a shock. In fact, the whole issue begs
for attention and answers to tough questions. Is the walloping
environmental price tag worth paying? Who decides? The milk and beef
industry? Government regulatory agencies? Animal rights advocates? The
public?
The Small Farm Training Center tackles the
"cow issue" by providing a two-pronged educational format. We
teach the theory of cow protection backed-up by the practice of hands-on
vocational training. Our curriculum begins by making a sharp distinction
between profit motivated animal care (commercial exploitation for milk,
meat and the by-products of the slaughter industry) versus the small scale
non violent approach which recognizes the cow and bull as critical
components to a sustainable system of agriculture. We thoroughly explore
the historical, ecological and social impact of cattle raising against the
backdrop of centuries old eastern and western experience. Special attention
is given to a study of India's traditional village economic model as taught
by Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi.
In
support of vocational training, we match students with farming
organizations currently involved in cow protection. Specifically, we
network with local groups, Geeta Inc. (they maintain a herd of 100 cows). In
1998, a team composed of volunteers from these organizations collaborated
to erect the dairy barn (pictured below) which now serves as an educational
training center.
There
are currently 1.5 billion cattle populating the earth according to the Food
and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. That's about one cow
for every five human beings. They graze over 24% of the land mass of this
planet. Although the scientific community, the governments of the world,
and the mass media have devoted a great deal of time and effort to studying
and publicizing man's relentless assault on the earth's ecosystems, there
is a curious silence surrounding the issue of cattle. Here are some hard
core facts to ruminate over. 
For
a public used to thinking of environmental threats exclusively in terms of
automobile exhaust, factory effluents and toxic and radioactive materials,
the magnitude of the environmental destruction caused by commercial dairy
and cattle operations may come as a shock. In fact, the whole issue begs
for attention and answers to tough questions. Is the walloping
environmental price tag worth paying? Who decides? The milk and beef
industry? Government regulatory agencies? Animal rights advocates? The
public? 
In
support of vocational training, we match students with farming
organizations currently involved in cow protection. Specifically, we
network with local groups, Geeta Inc. (they maintain a herd of 100 cows). In
1998, a team composed of volunteers from these organizations collaborated
to erect the dairy barn (pictured below) which now serves as an educational
training center. 
