The Hidden Agenda: How Animal Rights and Environmental Extremism Use Misleading Names to Undermine Agriculture and Property Rights

The animal rights movement has been highly effective at shaping public perception through strategic naming and messaging. Words like “compassion,” “justice,” and “protection” are intentionally chosen because they resonate emotionally with the public. Most people naturally support humane treatment of animals, and these organizations leverage that shared value as a starting point.

However, the goals of these groups have nothing to do with animal welfare. Their stated missions and policy positions often reveal an underlying objective of eliminating animal use altogether, whether in food production, research, or working partnerships between humans and animals. Behind that carefully constructed language is a broader ideological movement, one that, in many cases, seeks to fundamentally dismantle animal agriculture and restrict private property rights.

Understanding how this movement functions is essential for producers, landowners, and all stakeholders in agriculture. It provides a foundation for addressing false narratives and advocating for food production and private property rights.

Who is Influencing the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Threatening California Dairies and Ranches

A New Era of Water Regulation in California Agriculture

California agriculture has always relied on one key resource: water. Groundwater has long provided a dependable, relatively affordable foundation for dairy and ranching operations across the state, especially in the Central Valley. The passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014 marked a significant turning point. Enacted through a series of legislative measures, including AB 1739, SB 1168, and SB 1319, SGMA established a statewide requirement to achieve "sustainable" groundwater basins by 2040–2042. While framed as a long-term environmental safeguard, its practical effects are now evident in severe costs, reduced water access, and considerable operational uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. SGMA is not merely an additional regulation layered onto an already complex system. The most disturbing aspect of these changes is that outside non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been given substantial influence over how water is managed. It signifies a structural change in how agriculture functions in California and, in many cases, whether it can continue to operate at all.

In May 2026, voters in Lane County, Oregon, will decide the fate of Ballot Measure 20-373, also known as the “Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights.” While proponents frame the measure as a necessary step to protect clean water and the environment, a closer examination reveals something far more concerning: a sweeping, legally ambiguous framework that threatens agriculture, private property rights, rural economies, and even outdoor recreation.

This proposal is not just misguided; it’s potentially transformative for farmers, ranchers, and rural families in ways that could destabilize how land is owned, managed, and used across Oregon and beyond.

A Radical Legal Shift Disguised as Environmental Protection

Ballot Measure 20-373 is part of the broader global “rights of nature” movement, which seeks to grant legal rights to natural features such as rivers, lakes, and ecosystems. This framework would allow watersheds to have the legal right to “exist, flourish, regenerate and evolve,” and residents would be empowered to enforce those rights in court.

At first glance, this may sound benign, even noble. However, the legal implications are profound.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released an updated New World screwworm (NWS) Response Playbook this week to serve as a comprehensive guide for coordinated, science-based action should the parasitic insect reach U.S. territory.

The USDA called NWS a “devastating pest” that can cause serious, and in some cases, deadly infestation to animals and humans.

NWS continues to persist in parts of South America and has recently moved north through Central America and Mexico. It reached southern Mexico in late 2024, prompting an initial closure of the U.S. border to livestock imports. After a brief reopening, the border has been closed continuously since May 2025, removing more than 1 million head of Mexican cattle a year from the U.S. market at a time when the U.S. beef herd is at a 75-year low and beefpackers are struggling with severe cattle shortages.

The scourge was eradicated decades ago from the United States, which remains NWS-free. Nevertheless, agricultural authorities continue to work to keep NWS from crossing the Rio Grande, and to prepare in the event it does.

USDA is executing its five-pronged plan to keep NWS out of the United States, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins said.

The Bureau of Land Management today announced the launch of a new web‑based map tool designed to connect ranchers with information on vacant grazing allotments on public lands available for targeted prescribed grazing. The tool supports the agency’s broader effort to improve rangeland health, reduce invasive weeds, and lower the risk of wildland fire across the West.

“Recent wildfires have hit farmers and ranchers in western Nebraska especially hard, threatening their communities and livelihoods. The BLM is stepping up to support affected producers as they confront the devastating impacts of these historic fires,” said Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy. “Through this new web tool, we are connecting displaced producers with grazing options on public lands, offering urgently needed opportunities to keep their operations moving forward while also protecting our nation’s food supply and reducing future wildfire risk.”

The web-based map allows ranchers to efficiently locate vacant allotments on public lands suitable for targeted prescribed grazing and provides easy instructions to apply for a permit. Prescribed grazing can strategically lower wildfire fuel loads, suppress invasive weeds, and promote healthier, more resilient public lands.

Join the Oklahoma State University Extension Service on May 11-12, 2026, for two days of hands-on, research-based training on sustainable and profitable grazing practices.

This two-day workshop is co-designed with input from university researchers, Extension specialists, NRCS, and local conservation district personnel, as well as experienced ranchers.

Key Topics will Include

• Grazing basics and grazer’s math
• Grazing system design (rotational-management intensive grazing)
• Forage selection, establishment, and pasture renovation
• Soil health and fertility
• Electric fencing and water delivery systems for managed grazing systems
• Forage quantity estimates and carrying capacity determination
• Matching livestock with forage resources
• Economics of grazing systems
• Integrating technology (e.g., grazing apps)
• Mixed species grazing

The format will blend classroom instruction, field demonstrations, and peer-to-peer learning. Participants will receive printed material, access to digital resources, and continued support through an online support community.

Location

OSU Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center

As ballot-driven animal rights activism continues to evolve, Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 (dubbed the “People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions”, or PEACE, Act) stands out as one of the most far-reaching proposals the animal agriculture community has seen in recent years.

At a glance, IP 28 is framed by proponents as an effort to strengthen animal abuse laws and “end animal cruelty.” In practice, it would criminalize animal agriculture (and activities such as hunting, fishing, and trapping and pest control) because it involves killing animals.

Current animal welfare laws across the country, including in Oregon, recognize long-standing exemptions for agriculture, hunting, veterinary care, and other necessary activities that could involve death or injury of an animal. IP 28 would remove those exemptions, fundamentally altering Oregon’s animal abuse statutes in way that criminalizes lawful and necessary activities across agriculture, natural resource management, and daily life.

For livestock production, that raises immediate concern. IP 28 would redefine “sexual assault” to include routine breeding practices, potentially applying this classification to livestock, equine operations, and even domestic pets. This would expose farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, breeders, and animal owners to criminal liability for standard, humane practices that are essential to animal health, food production, and genetic management.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oklahoma City, OK (Bricktown)

AGPROfessionals Vice President of Communications and Strategic Planning, Karen Gerfen Glueck, co-hosted the 2026 American Agri-Women (AAW) Mid-Year Policy Meeting, held March 26–29 in Oklahoma City’s historic Bricktown district. Gerfen Glueck co-hosted the event alongside Mindy Patterson, President of The Cavalry Group, bringing together agricultural leaders from across the country to advance policy priorities and strengthen advocacy efforts for U.S. agriculture.

American Agri-Women, a national coalition that has advocated for agriculture for more than 50 years, convened its members for several days of collaboration, education, and strategic policy development. The meeting served as a critical forum where grassroots voices helped shape national policy positions and advocacy strategies.

Both Glueck and Patterson, residents of Oklahoma, played a key role in bringing the national meeting to the state. Their leadership highlighted Oklahoma’s strong agricultural roots and dedication to advancing the industry nationwide. Glueck’s professional background includes decades of experience in communications, operations, and strategic planning across agriculture and animal health, along with leadership in national advocacy efforts. She joined AGPROfessionals in 2023.

“If you have different contractors, it’s hard to manage communications,” said Haren, founder and CEO of AGPROfessionals in Greeley. “That’s a big deal for a lot of our clients, confidentiality when there are too many moving parts.”

Originally, AGPROfessionals was part of the Colorado Livestock Association in Aurora, a nonprofit trade organization that represents livestock producers and agribusinesses by providing regulatory and legislative advocacy. AGPROfessionals, which is for-profit, provided various environmental services, assisting agricultural producers with regulatory compliance, permitting and resource management. But soon AGPROfessionals outgrew the CLA and in 2000 went on its own, still remaining an active member by offering private consulting.

“The client demand was exceptional, not just outside of the association in Colorado but regionally and nationwide,” Haren said. “We grew out of necessity and a little frustration. People were asking for help, and my mission was to serve and that was one way.”

AGPROfessionals, a development and advocacy company, provides agricultural consulting services, working with farmers, ranchers, investors and other stakeholders nationwide to help them get the most out of their large agriculture development projects. The company’s services include agricultural consulting, environmental consulting, engineering, surveying, land use, planning and real estate. More specifically, AGPROfessionals helps with civil, structural and geotechnical engineering; annexing and selling property; and obtaining special use permits and planning and zoning entitlements, keeping all of the steps and service providers under one roof.

Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) has been made aware of a new campaign by a known activist group targeting auctions. It’s a good time to make sure we’re all staying proactive and following best practices in animal welfare.

What You Should Do:

· Stay vigilant in maintaining animal welfare best practices and remind all employees to remain alert.

· Ensure that all visitor, photo, and video policies are being strictly followed.

· If you observe drones flying over or unknown individuals on your property:

o Do not engage with individuals, except to politely ask them to leave.

o Document everything: note vehicle license plate numbers, take photos if possible, and record any details about the individuals involved.

o Contact your local sheriff immediately to report the incident.

· Follow a structured employment application and review process. If you need assistance in developing one, LMA can assist you.

· Share reports of any incident with LMA so that we may further alert other members in the state and report the activity to our allied industry partners that track activist threats.

·If you become aware of any suspicious activity, allegations of abuse or learn of this type of content being shared, please contact your REO, Mollie Arnett-Smith at marnett@lmaweb.com or (859) 274-7725, or Dominique Cozzitorto-Carr at dcozzitorto@lmaweb.com or (209) 620-0062.