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Farm World reader: Issue 2 supports family farmers
Dear Farm World editor,

We were surprised to read last week’s letter to the editor (Letter writer will vote against Ohio’s Issue 2; page 4, Oct. 21) condemning the hard work of Ohio farm families working to pass Issue 2.
Issue 2 is about keeping all farms, especially family farms like our neighbors’ and ours, a viable part of Ohio’s rural economy. We raise sows in pens and in individual stalls. For the animal’s safety and care, we prefer to raise them in individual housing. This is what is at stake for our family farm.

If the writer wants to question the “family” part of our farm, we want the writer to tell our six children who love feeding sows and catching baby pigs that they don’t live on a family farm. I would also like to know if recently passed livestock-limiting legislation in Michigan will not apply to family farms - I don’t think so.

If Issue 2 doesn’t pass, and the Humane Society of the Unites States (HSUS) passes similar legislation in Ohio in future years, farms like ours will be put out of business. The HSUS thinks they know how to raise our animals better than we do, when in reality they would just prefer we quit raising animals all together.

For anyone, especially farmers, who don’t believe this, we know they have not visited the HSUS website. The HSUS advocates reducing or eliminating animal consumption one day per week and then all together. You can also download a 21-page file on how to become a vegan.

Any farmer who raises livestock or anything that livestock eats and votes “No” on Issue 2 is giving Ohio family farmers a death sentence.

The Livestock Care Board was set up to represent a broad segment of Ohio including veterinarians, food safety experts, consumers, family farmers and farm organizations who want to do what is best for all farms.

The writer is wrong when he says, “HSUS hasn’t even come to town to fight, yet.” HSUS came to town this past Feb. 17 when they met with Ohio farm organizations and said we would like to “work with you” to eliminate your sow and egg layer operations. Farmers have stood up for ourselves over the last six months and have a plan that is better for our farm families than any plan from HSUS. We and all our friends and neighbors will be voting yes on Issue 2.
Family farmers,

Jeff and Alan Wuebker
Versailles, Ohio
10/28/2009