Thanks to our Amanda for letting the world know about 4-H allowing the Humane Society of the United States to participate in their conference. Shocking but true. I was going to post a news release from 4-H that was sent to me about a new fundraising effort but I don’t think I will.
Instead, I would like to call on the leadership of 4-H to explain their decision. I’m sure supporting ag groups would love to know. You can read lots of comments about this matter on their Facebook Page. After scrolling though pages of them I don’t see an official response. C’mon 4-H. It’s the age of social engagement and you’re not using your opportunity. Even one of the deceivers at HSUS has left comments!
I invite you to post a comment here and let us know what you were thinking. I only wish I had been involved in 4-H when I was young but I never took that opportunity. I’ve met many wonderful people through the organization over the years though. This news was very disturbing and I hope we get a response soon.
If there still is anyone wondering why this would be disturbing then I encourage them to visit HumaneWatch for information that includes facts and actual documents that reveal their true vegan agenda.
Post Update: Here’s the full response by the 4-H National Headquarters (via NIFA Facebook Page). Hard to believe but true.
4-H National Headquarters statement regarding the presence of the Humane Society of the United States at National 4-H Conference
Today at 8:07am
Each year, 4-H National Headquarters puts out a call to internal and external groups to propose workshops for presentation at the National 4-H Conference. When received, the proposals are reviewed independently by youth and adult members of the planning committee. The planning committee then considers the reviews for all submitted workshop proposals and selects a set of them as most acceptable for National Conference.
Workshops are an opportunity for youth to self-select topics of their interest. Materials disseminated at workshops generally are copies of slides and/or general information brochures/toolkits that are mostly available via the web.
For the 2010 National 4-H Conference, a proposal titled “Animal Instincts: Service Learning and Animal Welfare” was submitted by the Humane Society of the United States. It was reviewed by the planning committee and found acceptable. The proposal addressed the National Conference central theme of citizenship and showed alignment with programming areas for community service, youth volunteerism, service learning, and youth voice.
The workshop was presented at the 2010 National 4-H Conference in two sessions on March 23, 2010 and had about 25 youth per session. While one or two individuals expressed concern at the closing banquet about the position of the Humane Society regarding animal agriculture, this was not the subject of the workshop.
While the views or ideas brought forth in any workshop or conference are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views of 4-H National Headquarters, the National Institute of Food & Agriculture, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this workshop was approved by the planning committee because the proposal aligned with the goals of the 4-H Conference and did not present any indication of anti-animal agriculture views or positions.
4-H National Headquarters is proud of the annual National 4-H Conference and the great opportunities and benefits it provides to the youth in attendance, and it is equally proud of the 4-H youth across our country who dedicate themselves in service to agriculture and to their world.