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Pig abuse lawsuit should spark change in Minnesota agriculture
Wally faced a frightening future as he sped down the highway on a transport truck. A piglet born into the meat industry, Wally would likely spend his short life trapped inside a factory farm. But a moment of courage and good fortune changed Wally’s life forever. While barreling down I-90, Wally forced open a gate at the […]
Eat more plants and fewer animals | Opinion
On April 22, Mayor Melvin Carter issued a proclamation urging the public to consume more plant-based foods in place of animal products. Promoting plant-rich eating could be a key factor in achieving the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality in city operations by 2030 and citywide by 2050. “We join communities across our nation and […]
Eating more plants could prevent the next pandemic | Opinion
Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. Eat plants? Yes, eating more plants may be one of the most important actions we can take to protect ourselves from future pandemics. The source of Covid-19 remains uncertain, but evidence suggests that the virus transferred to humans from a non-human animal. The CDC states that Covid “possibly came from […]
Consider alternatives to fireworks, for animals’ sake, and ours | Opinion
On Dec. 31, 2011, 5,000 red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas. The birds landed on roofs, lawns and roads, covering the ground in a blanket of black feathers. “It just looked as if it had rained birds,” City Council Member Tracy Lightfoot said. Scientists believe this unprecedented loss of wildlife was caused […]
Industrial meat agriculture is threatening our 10,000 lakes. (And it’s closer to 12,000.)
Whenever I travel outside of Minnesota, the people I meet often comment on the state’s 10,000 lakes. I like to inform them that, contrary to popular belief, Minnesota actually has nearly 12,000 lakes. And those lakes are the heart and soul of Minnesota living. I will never forget the moment I first dipped my toes […]
Pandemic is perfect moment to reexamine our food system — less meat, more plants
More than two million euthanized chickens in Maryland, Delaware, and Minnesota recently joined the growing list of COVID-19 victims. Decreased demand for fresh food and workforce shortages caused by the pandemic are sending industrial food waste skyrocketing. Every day across the nation, farmers are dumping millions of gallons of cows’ milk and smashing hundreds of […]