• Meatout 2006 Observance to Target Fast Food
• AR2006 Conference Registration Starts Jan. 16
• FARM Publishes Record Number of Letters
• FARM Offers Postcards for Every Occasion
• Last Chance to Support FARM in 2005

Meatout 2006 Observance to Target Fast Food

In March, animal, consumer, and environment protection activists in a thousand communities in all 50 states and two dozen other countries will welcome Spring in front of their local fast food outlets. They will offer their neighbors samples of wholesome, convenient, delicious, nonviolent veggie burgers, soy dogs, and “chicken” nuggets.

Others will hold a wide gamut of colorful educational events ranging from elaborate Lifestivals and a Congressional Reception to public dinners, cooking demonstrations, exhibits, and simple infor-mation tables called Steakouts. They will promote plant-based deli slices, veggie burgers, soy dogs, and soy-based milk and ice cream.

At all events, visitors will be asked “kick the meat habit on March 20th (first day of Spring) and to explore a wholesome nonviolent plant-based diet.”

The occasion for all this activity is the 22nd annual observance of the Great American Meatout, the world’s largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Celebrity headliners include Casey Kasem, Joaquin Phoenix, James Cromwell, Mary Tyler-Moore, Bill Maher, and Ed Asner.

Please take a look at last year's event photo gallery, review the detailed guidance page, then register your event, even if your plans are tentative.

AR2006 Conference Registration Starts Jan. 16

Early registration for the Animal Rights 2006 National Conference is slated to start on January 16 with large discounts. When you register, you will be assigned a personal web page in a highly sophisticated virtual conference community system.

This will enable you to receive conference updates and messages from other registrants, publish a personal profile, interact with other registrants and conference management, request or offer shared rides or housing, request or offer employment or lunch dates, arrange private or public meetings, schedule their conference agenda, and much more.

The actual Conference will be held on August 10-14 at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, a suburb of Washington DC. This is our most attractive venue since we started hosting national animal rights conferences in 1981. The building has lots of sunlight, and we have the entire conference level. It is located on a small lake and adjoins a botanic preserve with running trails.

The program will celebrate our movement's 25th anniversary. A special plenary session will feature reminiscences and progress reports by movement veterans. Other traditional features will include workshops, rap sessions, campaign reports, videos, exhibits, Newcomer Orientation, Employment Clearinghouse, Networking Receptions, musical interludes, and the Awards Banquet. A number of post-conference activities are planned by sponsoring groups for Monday, August 14.

Please visit the AR2005 photo gallery, listen to selected recordings, mark the dates, and spread the word about this momentous event.

FARM Publishes Record Number of Letters

In the past year, we published more than a thousand letters to the editor on a record 20 topics in 320 U.S. newspapers.

Our letters addressed: Mad Cow disease (2), Dietary Guidelines, heart disease, Meatout, global warming, hormones, antibiotics, EarthDay, Mother's Day, breast cancer, children's obesity (2), Independence Day, Atkins diet, bird flu, school lunch, cost of fuel, Gentle Thanksgiving, and New Year's resolution.

Here are several recent excerpts:

"What ever happened to the good old days, when 4th of July was just Independence Day and the worst things we had to fear was traffic jams and wayward fireworks? Recent government warnings suggest that this year’s top threat is food poisoning from inadequately grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Fortunately, ingenious American manufacturers have developed a great variety of veggie burgers and soy dogs that are healthful, delicious, convenient, and available in every supermarket. And they don’t harbor nasty pathogens or cancer-causing agents. On this 4th of July, let’s declare our independence from the meat industry. Let’s enjoy wholesome veggie burgers and soy dogs at our holiday barbecue."

"The fossil fuel crisis is only likely to get worse, as an exploding global demand confronts the reality of a limited supply. We can blame the Bush Administration and the oil companies for the current crisis. But, for the long run, we must reduce drastically fossil fuel consumption in our cars, our homes, and our diets.Yes, our diets. Production of meat and dairy products accounts for approximately 15% of our national fossil fuel consumption. Anyone who cares about the cost of fuel this winter should consider these impacts of meat and dairy production on their next trip to the supermarket."

"More than 28 million children in 100,000 schools and childcare facilities participate in USDA’s National School Lunch Program. Unfortunately, the lunch fare is made up largely of USDA’s surplus meat, milk, and cheese commodities, which contain excess protein, saturated fats, and cholesterol and account for the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease afflicting our children. Moreover, most nutrition education materials are provided to schools by the meat, dairy, and junk food industries. Parents should work with their PTAs to demand a daily vegan shool lunch option."

Letters to the editor are the second most read section of the newspaper after the front page. They are a most effective vehicle for bringing our message to millions of middle Americans who are not reached in other ways.

Please contact Jen to join our Letters network or to obtain the full text of selected letters.

FARM Offers Postcards for Every Occasion

FARM has inexpensive colorful 6x4" postcards for every occasion. Here are some samples:

Please contact Jen to obtain 50-card packets. We would appreciate a $5 contribution to cover P&H.

Last Chance to Support FARM in 2005

As we look forward to a new year of action for farmed animals, I ask you to match our dedication with a generous tax-deductible donation. I ask you to make sure that Meatout, CHOICE, Veg Earth Day, Letters From FARM, World Farm Animals Day, Gentle Thanksgiving, Sabina Fund, and Animal Rights 2006 don't falter for lack of basic funding.

You can send a check to FARM, 10101 Ashburton Lane, or charge your donation on-line, or by phone at 888 ASK FARM. All contributions dated December 31st and received by January 14th, will be credited to the year 2005.

-- Alex Hershaft