The Transfarmation Project

Regardless of whether an industrial animal farm is called a “CAFO,” a “factory farm,” or something else, our food system has a big problem. Learn more about the term "factory farm" here: https://lnkd.in/giTqYpwR

Factory farming keeps farmers like Tom Lim trapped in a cycle of debt. But how can they find a path forward? Sentient's Dawn Attride explains how Mercy For Animals' The Transfarmation Project is helping farmers.

Our founder, Leah Garcés, was recently featured in Modern Farmer! The article includes an in-depth Q&A and an excerpt from “Transfarmation: The Movement to Free Us from Factory Farming”, Leah’s new book. “What I’ve noticed is we talk a lot about the problem [of factory farming] and a lot about the solution, but not on how to get from problem to solution… I really wanted to roll up our sleeves and try to create easy runways for farmers. And I don’t pretend that a small nonprofit could transition thousands of farmers, but what I wanted to create were models, demonstrations, prototypes to test if it was possible. And it is possible, and farmers do want to transition. So, now we know. Now we have the prototypes. It’s time to move forward with creating the plans for how farmers could off-ramp.” Read more:

Support your local crop farmers!

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the Innovative Genomics Institute are embarking on a multiyear, approximately $30 million project to genetically modify the inner workings of cows’ stomachs, with the goal of preventing methane emissions.? While reducing methane emissions would certainly relieve some of the environmental burdens of industrial cow farms, it would do little to reduce the amount of air and water pollution caused by intensive farming practices.? Factory farms are known for their devastating impact on the environment and neighboring communities. They are often located near low-income communities of color, and many residents suffer from headaches, nosebleeds, breathing problems, heart conditions, and irritation to their noses and throats, as well as increased rates of depression, stress, and fatigue. Transfarmation? is proud to be working with farmers to build something better. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gV4CePAV.

“I believe that gardening as a community builds a closer bond with the people inside of it. And that’s good for overall health in communities and overall wealth of a nation.” —Te’Lario Watkins, Founder of The Garden Club Project Watkins’s mushroom farm, Tiger Mushroom Farms, is still operating today! Additionally, since its founding, his nonprofit has distributed over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce, 300 seed kits, and 150 mushroom kits. Initiatives like these give us hope for a secure, sustainable, and healthy food future! Check out Watkins’s organization at TheGardenClubProject.org.

Support The Transfarmation Project? in style! Every purchase helps support our important work. Shop now! https://lnkd.in/gdddTVYZ

Agritourism is the business of attracting visitors to farms and engaging them in farming activities. It not only enables farmers to diversify their income streams but connects farmers to the public. Over the past two decades, income from agritourism has grown exponentially—by 1,300% in Indiana and over 1,000% in Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Transfarmation? explores agritourism as an exciting opportunity for our farmers to foster community and create alternative sources of income. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gV4CePAV.

No matter what you put on your table, we hope you can agree that industrial animal agriculture is failing us all. Learn how Transfarmation? is working with farmers to build a better, more sustainable food future at https://lnkd.in/gV4CePAV.

What fall crops are you most excited for?