While PETA is believed to be the leading group which pushes vegetarian lifestyles, many may be shocked to learn HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) also advocates this lifestyle on their website. While they claim to be a group which protects animals, they also have another mission, they are also advocating vegetarianism.

"Each one of us can help prevent animals from suffering...simply by choosing vegetarian options." This quote comes directly from HSUS' "Humane Eating" page on their website. As I continued to search the HSUS website, I found a page titled "The HSUS Guide to Vegetarian Eating."

What disturbs me the most is how HSUS continues to push misleading information about the livestock industry to our consumers, indicating that all farms using modern technology are mistreating their livestock. Nothing could be further from the truth. Modern technology, which includes modern livestock facilities, enables farmers to provide the best care possible for their livestock, which is the goal of any farmer and rancher. Modern facilities are found on many family farms today, and these facilities provide safe and secure housing for our livestock, protecting them from predators and the elements of the weather.

It's time we started telling our story and put a stop to the lies being told by groups like HSUS.

A friend of mine recently told me about a neat conference coming up in April for women in agriculture to develop their leadership skills. The National Women's Leadership Conference is taking place April 25 - 28, 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky.

This conference will teach not only leadership skills, but help you improve your communications skills through workshops, seminars and tours.

Tours include horse farms, Churchill Downs, My Old Kentucky Home, Andersen Circle Farms and many more. To learn more or to register, click here.

Missouri is being hit by a winter storm this weekend, delaying many events and making travel difficult. On our farm, we began implementation of our emergency action plan. We fueled up tractors, hooked up generators, and double checked our alarm system, among many other jobs, to prepare for the bad weather.

Since our animals are housed indoors, they do not have to endure the high wind chills, freezing rain and snow. But, it is our job to make sure if the power fails, we are ready with the generators to ensure our animals never endure the cold temperatures. Our goal is to protect our animals from the cold temperatures so they are safe and comfortable. This is not only a humane way to care for our animals, but it also protects our animals from injuring themselves on the ice and snow.

Although the winter storm creates more work for us on the farm, our animals are safe, and so is our country's food supply.