"Farm Animal Care: Myths vs. Facts" will be the 2009 topic of the annual Farm-City Week Symposium during National Farm-City Week, celebrated Nov. 20 to 26, 2009, ending Thanksgiving Day. In addition, the National Farm-City Council and its state organizations will work to communicate to urban audiences the challenges facing producers of America's meat supply.
These issues will be discussed at this year's Farm-City Week Symposium, which will be held in Indianapolis at the Westin Hotel on Nov. 19, 2009. The public is invited to attend.
"Across the country, we're seeing livestock producers facing new challenges," says Al Pell, chairman of the National Farm-City Council. "Oftentimes, these come from well-intentioned citizens in urban areas who don't know what a good job producers are doing to practice caring and ethical animal husbandry. Our goal is to help raise this issue and help educate those in cities and towns who are beginning to have an impact on livestock operations through legislation and regulation."
Further details about the Farm-City Symposium, its speakers and program, and details about attending the event will be announced shortly.
The National Farm-City Week, recognized by a White House proclamation, is organized by the National Farm-City Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing links between farm families and urban residents. The Council provides local organizations with educational programs about people who grow their food.
Farm-City activities are grassroots in nature. Communities across the nation hold Farm-City events ranging from banquets to tours to job exchanges. The Council works closely with Agriculture in the Classroom programs in educating students and teachers about agriculture. The "Farm Animal Care" theme for this year's Farm-City Week has been communicated to state and county volunteers, who are gearing local activities to match the national strategy. In future years, the Council plans to address other potentially divisive issues that affect farm families and urban residents. The Council's goal is to bridge the gap in understanding by focusing on one issue each year.
In addition, the National Farm-City Council recognizes organizations, businesses, groups and individuals for their outstanding work in accomplishing the mission of farm-city relations.
For those interested in organizing a local Farm-City event, go to the National Farm-City Web site at www.farmcity.org or call 202.406.3706.
The National Farm-City Council is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code.