Gene Baur–president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, considered the world’s first farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization, now marking its 40th anniversary—is nice enough, at my request, to recount the Sanctuary’s origin story for the umpteenth time, incorporating (also at my request!) where the Grateful Dead figures into the narrative, partly in a nod to Bob Weir’s recent passing.
So Baur describes the earliest days of Farm Sanctuary, in 1986, the impetus for coming
together, the chief objectives propelling them, and so on—detailing how they funded those initial efforts: by selling vegan hot dogs from the Sanctuary’s VW van at Grateful Dead concerts. In fact, Baur adds, that the slogan on Farm Sanctuary’s very first bumper sticker—”If you love animals called pets, why do you eat animals called dinner?”—came from a Deadhead who was buying a veggie dog. He went on to explain that the Sanctuary/Dead relationship continued over the years, with there being a particularly friendly alliance amongst Baur and Weir (and Weir’s wife Natascha). In 2015, Baur remembers, gearing up for the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary tour, he and the Weirs teamed to lead efforts in persuading concert venues to serve veggie dogs. Just like those mid-80s days. Baur offers a warm remembrance of Bob Weir, noting the way the musician re-framed the well-worn hippie phrase, “if it feels good, do it” by instead saying “if it feels right, do it” –and it was clear to Baur that the word change underscored the towering importance of kindness. In other parts of the conversation, using the 40th anniversary milestone as a jumping off point, we address Farm Sanctuary’s monumental influence, starting with all the farm animal sanctuaries that have sprung up in its wake. Baur figures there’s now the better part of a thousand such facilities. His considerable progeny. Baur observes it’s not uncommon for the folks running these
sanctuaries to seek his counsel about one issue or another. And in recent years, when he travels, he tries to visit farm sanctuaries. This 
segment segued into Baur sharing his concern that many veterinary schools are so cavalier and harsh in their treatment of animals that it’s seriously affecting—and sometimes alienating—many students. Exceptions exist, of course. Baur cited one: Western University College of Veterinary Medicine, in California. But inroads toward reform in curriculum—or, more broadly, teaching philosophy—are moving very slowly, he says, at many vet schools because they receive subsidies, or other forms of financial support, from factory farming entities. Those entities aren’t in any hurry to see improvements in the care the animals are receiving at the hands of the vet students assigned to treat them. We touch on a number of other subjects, ranging from whether these 40 years have gone fast or slow (or both), to presenting a sneak preview of the talk he’s slated to deliver in Tampa–“Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food”— on Feb. 22, at Florida Voices for Animals’ 31st Annual Have A Heart for the Animals Awards Dinner Fundraiser, at Carrollwood Recreation Center, at 1:30 pm. (Tickets are available here.) [Photos: Courtesy of Farm Sanctuary]
ALSO: I spoke with Jason Cowen, executive director of Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Cowen offered a description and overview of the Preserve, citing some of its notable attributes. But the real reason we’d gathered on the radio was to discuss Raptor Fest–slated to happen Feb. 7, it’s the Preserve’s biggest event, an annual, all-day (10 a,m. to 4 p.m.) extravaganza. He mentions the array of activities planned for the day, including watching trained raptors in free flight, bird walks, environmental exhibitors, photo opportunities, food and drink vendors, and so on. And Cowen explains the “Raptor Raffle”—involving several baskets filled with trinket, gifts, and goodies that Raptor Fest attendees can bid on. He also provides instructions on the unusual parking and shuttle arrangement. (https://www.friendsofboydhill.org/raptor-fest)
COMEDY CORNER: Kevin Nealon’s “Cows on the Roof” (https://kevinnealon.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Steely Dan’s “Black Cow”
AUDIO ARCHIVE:
Listen Online Now:
