Press Releases
Conserving Tradition Inc. Issues Statement of Support for Benner's Farm
HUNTINGTON, N.Y. – Apr. 8, 2016 – Benner's Farm, a family farm operated on one of the oldest farm properties on Long Island, has recently been criticized by a handful of extremists over its decision to process for meat a cow the farm has respectfully raised, as reflected in an April 7 Newsday article titled “Fans hope to save Minnie the cow, an East Setauket farm favorite." In response to this unjust criticism, Conserving Tradition issued the following statement of support for Benner's Farm:
"We are saddened to hear of the criticism levied against Benner's Farm by a few misguided extremists for engaging in traditional agricultural activities . Benner's Farm is a working farm, a reason why families, schools, and others have visited the farm for generations. Insisting that Benner's Farm sell one of their cows so that individuals can make it a "pet" and "save it" from being processed for meat would undercut exactly what makes Benner's Farm a farm and not a petting zoo. Farms produce food and teach visitors about food production as well as animal husbandry. Benner's Farm produces food in a kind, compassionate way where, while they live, their animals to be processed for meat are treated with love and individual respect. This is a food production model that should be emulated and expanded.
It is troubling that the critics of Benner's Farm apparently prefer to obtain their beef from cattle that were nameless and not treated with the affection and respect with which the Benner's Farm cow was treated. The small farm/family homestead model is one that should be emulated and strongly encouraged throughout Long Island because of its educational, nutritional, and ecological benefits. If we as a society care about animal welfare, then we need to support family farms and homesteads providing an alternative to the concentrated animal feeding operations more common with respect to cattle produced for meat. We strongly encourage Long Islanders to reach out and support the Benner family."
About Conserving Tradition: Conserving Tradition, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) New York not-for-profit corporation. Its objective is to encourage and preserve know-how in traditional agricultural and homesteading activities, such as growing crops, raising poultry and livestock, butchering, cheesemaking, hunting, and beekeeping. The organization was formed in response to a concern that in many suburban and semi-rural areas, the continued practice of these activities is threatened.
Press inquiries can be sent to conservingtradition@gmail.com.
HUNTINGTON, N.Y. – Apr. 8, 2016 – Benner's Farm, a family farm operated on one of the oldest farm properties on Long Island, has recently been criticized by a handful of extremists over its decision to process for meat a cow the farm has respectfully raised, as reflected in an April 7 Newsday article titled “Fans hope to save Minnie the cow, an East Setauket farm favorite." In response to this unjust criticism, Conserving Tradition issued the following statement of support for Benner's Farm:
"We are saddened to hear of the criticism levied against Benner's Farm by a few misguided extremists for engaging in traditional agricultural activities . Benner's Farm is a working farm, a reason why families, schools, and others have visited the farm for generations. Insisting that Benner's Farm sell one of their cows so that individuals can make it a "pet" and "save it" from being processed for meat would undercut exactly what makes Benner's Farm a farm and not a petting zoo. Farms produce food and teach visitors about food production as well as animal husbandry. Benner's Farm produces food in a kind, compassionate way where, while they live, their animals to be processed for meat are treated with love and individual respect. This is a food production model that should be emulated and expanded.
It is troubling that the critics of Benner's Farm apparently prefer to obtain their beef from cattle that were nameless and not treated with the affection and respect with which the Benner's Farm cow was treated. The small farm/family homestead model is one that should be emulated and strongly encouraged throughout Long Island because of its educational, nutritional, and ecological benefits. If we as a society care about animal welfare, then we need to support family farms and homesteads providing an alternative to the concentrated animal feeding operations more common with respect to cattle produced for meat. We strongly encourage Long Islanders to reach out and support the Benner family."
About Conserving Tradition: Conserving Tradition, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) New York not-for-profit corporation. Its objective is to encourage and preserve know-how in traditional agricultural and homesteading activities, such as growing crops, raising poultry and livestock, butchering, cheesemaking, hunting, and beekeeping. The organization was formed in response to a concern that in many suburban and semi-rural areas, the continued practice of these activities is threatened.
Press inquiries can be sent to conservingtradition@gmail.com.