Coming off the heels of Heritage Breeds Week where we celebrate the benefits of heritage breed livestock farming, we identify here another core benefit of the non-commodity system that is crucial to balance is preservation of farmland and the environment. Vox recently published an in depth story about Iowa's largest hog producer, Iowa Select.
For our final entry on Heritage Breeds Week we salute the rarest breeds of all! The people who move us into action on a national and global level! We have met so many inspirational people over the years, but 5 stand out as particularly important in shaping our mission.
Temple Grandin stands out as one of the most prominent figures in the fight for animal rights and welfare. Her work centers around the wellbeing of livestock from their birth to their death. She has consulted on the design of many slaughterhouses across the nation, including our partner Paradise Locker Meats.
The Bronze turkey is the king of turkeys and the foundation of all other breeds, varieties, lines and commercial modern turkeys of today. My Bronze turkeys have been here on the Kansas prairie for over 103 years and we must not lose them.
Our only poultry farmer and a founder of Heritage Foods, Frank Reese, is doing nothing less than preserving the last commercial flocks of non factory farm poultry in the USA – a sad statement for biodiversity and food security. We've created the Good Shepherd Conservancy — a 501(c)(3) non-profit — to ensure that this alternative survives and grows.
“These stamps pay tribute to heritage breeds, pre-industrial farm animals that are enjoying renewed attention for their versatility, adaptability, and unique genetic traits. Heritage breeds of livestock take us back to our agricultural roots — and show us the way to a more sustainable future.”
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