ProtectTheHarvest

Eric Whitley describes Protect the Harvest and why it was important for him to be involved with the nonprofit organization.

Why is the news media helping PETA push their agenda? People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and their affiliated animal rights extremist groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have mastered the art of smear campaigns and fake news. PETA especially, uses the tactic of throwing mud up against the wall to see what will stick. One of the ways they do this is by letter writing on a massive scale and submitting endless press releases. The most recent unfounded and ridiculous attack by PETA targeted a friend of Protect The Harvest, the Welde Family and their wonderful program at Bearadise Ranch. The latest ridiculous PETA Press Release: PETA submitted their latest ridiculous press release full of false claims about Bearadise Ranch to news outlets in Florida. Unfortunately, ABC 7 Sarasota, publicized PETA’s false claims. ABC 7 even went so far as to allow a PETA representative on the air to demand that the Welde family “do the right thing” by turning over their bears to them. When did PETA become an expert on the care and welfare of bears? ABC 7 allowed the PETA representative to do this without any proof that the Welde family in any way had mistreated their bears. We hope you took the opportunity to view our video so you can see how the bears live and the vehicles they are transported in when they travel to give educational presentations to the public. Then consider how horrible it is for the Welde family to have to endure these types of ideologic attacks by extremist groups on a public forum such as a newscast in their community. Why doesn’t the news media understand the consequences of their actions? We know that many who work in the news media industry love animals. We also know that they are concerned about wildlife conservation and understand the importance of educating the public about animals. What we can’t understand is why these very same people are giving a voice to animal rights organizations’ false and totally unfounded claims that are based solely on the animal rights extremist ideology. Why can’t the news media comprehend that these groups have the goal and agenda to end all human-animal interactions as well as animal ownership? Don’t they know that these groups make no distinctions, and that pets are included in their ideology too? The news media needs to stop aiding these extremist groups in attacking the innocent. Its one thing to report the news based on facts and entirely something different to report false and unfounded accusations that severely impact innocent families. LINKS: You can see for yourself the care the bears at Bearadise Ranch receive by visiting their website at: http://bearadiseranch.com/ Bearadise Ranch Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bearadiseranch/

It's Time To Protect The Harvest!

Forrest Lucas discusses Protect the Harvest's mission. Visit our website for more information! protecttheharvest.com You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! If you'd like to support our cause you can find the link to donate here: http://protecttheharvest.com/supporting-partnership/

Californians discuss the rights over water in the state as it pertains to agriculture and the environment.

Boyd Spratling discusses the plight of wild horses and their effect on the range lands and how they have changed livestock grazing permits.

Jon Pratt discusses the ecological impact of fire on range lands.

Interview with Forrest Lucas about the Horse Industry

Protect The Harvest - Standing Up

Food Safety Misconceptions and the Effect of Social Media

Protect the Harvest- an Introduction

Wild Mustangs are in Crisis on the western rangelands

Press conference with Dwight and Steven Hammond at the airport in Burns, Oregon after they received a Pardon from President Trump. To learn more about the Hammonds Case: http://protecttheharvest.com/2018/01/06/appeal-trump-administration-commute-sentence-dwight-steve-hammond/ Press release from Hammond Family: http://protecttheharvest.com/2018/07/10/statement-hammond-family-presidential-pardon/

Congressman Greg Walden is interviewed on Fox News about the request for a Presidential Pardon for Dwight and Steven Hammond. The Hammonds received a Presidential Pardon on July 10, 2018. To learn more about what happened to the Hammonds: http://protecttheharvest.com/2018/01/06/appeal-trump-administration-commute-sentence-dwight-steve-hammond/ Press Release from Hammond Family: http://protecttheharvest.com/2018/07/10/statement-hammond-family-presidential-pardon/

Trent Loos interviews John Sancenito of INA INA is a security consulting group that works with large organizations regarding their security risks. One of the very important things that they do is to track and gather intel on animal rights and environmental extremist groups and their activities. Topics: The true agenda and activities of animal rights extremist groups Domestic terrorism What happens at animal rights confernces The three tiers of activism

Merry Christmas from all of us at Lucas Cattle Company! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucascattlecompany/ Lucas Cattle Company Website: http://www.lucascattlecompany.com/about-us.html Lucas Cattle Company on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucasCattleCo Lucas Cattle Company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucascattlecompany

Protect The Harvest was created to defend and preserve American freedoms and to support farmers, ranchers, outdoor enthusiasts, and animal owners. Most Americans are unaware that there are special interest groups in America that have evolved into a wealthy and well-organized movement that is determined to change our way of life. These groups are aiming to control agriculture, land and water use, and eliminate human-animal interaction as well as hunting and fishing. Their approach is to reach their goal incrementally via influencing public opinion with misinformation and writing, funding and marketing legislation and regulations to suit their agenda. The end result is an America that is less free and less prosperous, the elimination of animal ownership and human-animal interaction, the elimination of our ability to provide affordable food for our families and the ability to enjoy traditional past times. Our Mission: Inform. Protect. Respond. • INFORM and EDUCATE Americans about the activities of animal rights groups, anti-agriculture groups and other non-governmental organizations that threaten agriculture, animal welfare, our traditions, and way of life. • PROTECT our freedoms and way of life by supporting agriculture, land use, hunting and fishing, animal ownership, and animal welfare. • RESPOND to laws, regulations, or misinformation that would negatively impact animal welfare, animal ownership, restrict our rights, and limit our freedoms. https://protecttheharvest.com/

It is vitally important that farmers and ranchers become aware of an anti-agriculture group with a misleading name. The group, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project (SRAP), is closely tied to a number of radical animal rights groups and other non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). SRAP is the driving force behind many recent nuisance lawsuits that are working to devastate large family farms. They specialize in agitating community members, sowing seeds of discontent, offering pro-bono legal advice, and coalition development all under the seemingly innocent title of “community organizing”. For more information: https://protecttheharvest.com/what-you-need-to-know/overview-of-environmental-ngos/socially-responsible-agricultural-project/

Animal rights extremist groups believe no animal should be owned, exhibited or used by humans for any purpose. They are fighting, daily, to make it impossible for animals to be owned or utilized, disregarding any science or facts. They are not experts in animal care and are not worried about the unintended consequences of their actions. Animal rights groups also don’t consider what will happen to these animals once they are “set free.” Who will take care of them? How will different species and breeds of animals survive? The truth is, animals, like elephants, have lived and worked beside man for thousands of years. They lead happy and healthy lives. For more information: https://protecttheharvest.com/what-you-need-to-know/performing-animals/

A Supreme Court case, regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), wrapped up in June of 2019. Protect The Harvest and nine other organizations, including the American Farm Bureau, Animal Agriculture Alliance, National Association for Biomedical Research, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, Pinnacle Pet, the Zoological Association of America, the Fur Information Council, and the US Association of Reptile Keepers embarked on a multi-year effort to clarify the Freedom of Information Act’s Exemption 4. This will prevent the disclosure of confidential commercial information that would have put businesses at a political disadvantage. This Supreme Court case had far reaching consequences, especially in regard to animal enterprise. Together, we changed a set of rules that had been in place for 46 years. These groups have two things in common: a desire to interpret the Constitution as written and a dedication to supporting animal industry. We could not have made it happen without banding together.

In January 2017, in a 3-2 vote, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors advised the Planning Division to study potential new restrictions and regulations covering 420,000 acres, approximately 30% of Ventura County. This includes 164,000 acres of both public and private property that cuts through the heart of Ventura County, naming it the Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Movement Corridors. Then, in August of 2018, the County of Ventura proposed to add additional restrictions and regulations. The Ventura County Supervisors plan to create a Habitat Connectivity Wildlife Corridor Overlay Zone which imposes a myriad of new regulations and restrictions for landowners. Within that zone they would identify additional overlay areas and title them “Critical Wildlife Passage Areas” that includes even more restrictions. Essentially Ventura County properties could be subject to 3 sets of zoning regulations: The base set of zoning regulations depending on category for example, residential, commercial, rural, agricultural - The Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Movement Corridor zone - The Critical Wildlife Passage Areas - The impact of this on landowners and the community will be devastating. The new restrictions and regulations on both public and private property encompass: - Fencing, installation or replacement - Lighting, installation or replacement including removal of existing lighting no longer permitted under the conditions of the new ordinance. Other lighting restrictions will be enforced including height, direction, color and hours - Eliminating non-native invasive plants - Restricting vegetation removal, including fire prevention and mitigation measures - Designation of wildlife passage areas across farmland with no scientific studies - Building of new structures and fencing on properties in the Wildlife Passage Areas would require environmental analysis or setting aside half of the land to revert to its natural state for wildlife habitat - Awarding the Planning Director the discretionary power to control (and even deny) every aspect of basic property improvements that are not specifically exempt from the ordinance - Requiring land owners to undergo a full environmental analysis of projects including, houses, barns, lighting and fences before approval - Expanding the size of “surface water area buffer zones” rendering many properties virtually unusable - Conditional Use Permits will be in jeopardy of non-renewal once they expire - Preventing land owners from making improvements or rebuilding property like fencing, barns and homes if damaged by fire or other natural disasters In the spring of 2019, The Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (V CoLAB) filed a suit in in Superior Court in the County of Ventura asking the Court to set aside the County's 3-2 approval of the Wildlife Corridor zoning ordinance. Learn More about this concerning situation: https://protecttheharvest.com/news/30-of-ventura-county-facing-prohibitive-and-dangerous-regulations/

In 2017, North Dakota Rancher, Gary Dassinger became a victim of a change in the Century Code that was pushed by the Humane Society of the United States and back channels after it was initially defeated by the people of North Dakota. This change allowed for the seizure of a person’s animals after any complaint (credible or not), as well as the sale of those animals with no notice to the owner or hearing. Thankfully, after a year long battle and with the help of his daughter, Protect The Harvest and many others, Dassinger successfully fought to keep his livestock and his 40 year horse breeding program. After Dassinger’s situation was publicized by Protect The Harvest, and the language in the Century Code exposed, farming and ranching leaders in North Dakota along with lawmakers took action. In early 2019, the state passed Senate bill 2177, which further amended the Century Code. It now requires a reasonable inquiry to be done to find the owner of the animal before seizure. It also allows the animal owner to request a hearing in court before a final ruling on the disposition of the animal. This allows the animal owner the right to due process before property is seized from them. Additionally, it mandates that the Chief Brand Inspector be involved once an animal is seized to ensure the rightful ownership of the animal throughout the process. We are extremely pleased to see that these amendments passed without a single opposing vote, which shows a state that is willing to stand up for its residents and their property rights. The result of Gary Dassinger’s legal fight is a strong lesson to farmers, ranchers, and animal owners in North Dakota and around the country. It reminds us all to take notice of changes in the law. It is also a lesson for many not to assume that farming and ranching communities are protected from animal right- influenced changes. Most importantly, it shows what can be done to reverse animal rights-influenced laws by simply making the public aware and pulling together as a community. LEARN MORE: https://protecttheharvest.com/initiatives/north-dakota-rancher-gary-dassinger/

U.S. Army combat medic, Janna Connelly is summoned home to help her estranged father after he suffers a heart attack. She discovers their once-pristine ranch now in disrepair and a local Sheriff with nefarious ties targeting local rancher’s livestock. Janna now finds herself confronting her buried emotional past as she wages war against corrupt political forces. Inspired by the true events of Gary Dassinger, a Dickinson, ND rancher, and his 2017 fight to save his horses from government seizure. ****Available on Netflix****

It is important, now more than ever, to stand together in support of ranching and farming. No one has ever exposed NGOs like our organization has. This is because we are not afraid to stand up for what’s right no matter what the obstacle is. Educating the public and exposing these groups for their true agenda and connections sets us apart. We only hope it inspires others to do so as well. The time to lay low and hope you’re not their next target is long gone. Now, action is required. We are here to support you. An incidence in Missouri shows that when a community comes together, they are stronger. Recently, we encountered a group in Missouri, Lucas Cattle Company’s back yard, that was working to undermine producers in the state and gain unrestricted access to their property by a “county appointed expert”. This group, Missouri Rural Crisis Center has ties to SRAP. They are following the SRAP’s cookie-cutter formula to quickly push laws and county ordinances without the knowledge of county residents and producers. Well, we were not going to let that happen in our backyard. Through the tireless efforts of the Lucas Cattle Company ranch management team, phone calls, and door to door visits, a full page ad and email blast on and major social media push we reached Hickory County and beyond. County Commissioners received many out of state calls from producers concerned about the implications of the proposed ordinance. On the night of the Town Hall meeting we are proud to say there was a record turnout, a crowd so large they had to change the venue and it was standing room only. Hickory County tabled the ordinance and it did not even have a chance to come to a vote. Mike Deering, the Executive Vice President of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, said: “This gathering was the most inspiring and uplifting meeting I’ve been to in a long time. Truly amazing.” The turn out was inspirational and a demonstration of what we can accomplish with some grass roots hard work and leveraging technology.

We celebrated a special day as Dwight and Steven Hammond were Pardoned by President Trump and freed from prison on July 10, 2018. We are proud to have played a key role in their release. Protect The Harvest, along with many other organizations, worked diligently with Congressman Greg Walden to inform Vice President Mike Pence and President Trump of this issue.. Justice was finally served on that day. Forrest Lucas was adamant that he needed to help them make their way home, so he did. With hundreds gathered to greet their plane, the Hammonds embraced their family members and happily waved at their friends and neighbors - eager to rejoin their community. Like many ranchers in the west, the Hammond’s are still under fire. The Hammond’s persecution by federal government officials is a twenty-year story. We have continued to work tirelessly to educate the public on the challenges ahead of the Hammond family and their ranch in Eastern Oregon. While their grazing permits were reinstated, those permits have come under attack by environmental extremist groups that have filed a lawsuit against the federal government to prevent the family from grazing their allotments. As a part of this effort to support both the Hammond family and other ranchers in the west, Protect The Harvest’s team members continued to explore the tactics environmental NGOs use to undermine agriculture and we found three more organizations worthy of exposing. The WildEarth Guardians, the Western Watershed Project and the Center for Biological Diversity all use and abuse the Equal Access to Justice Act and the Endangered Species Act to not only push an extremist agenda but also fundraise. They are exploiting these acts in order to entangle the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service in legal battles with the intent to settle and line their pockets. https://protecttheharvest.com/initiatives/the-hammonds/