A large majority of the activist groups trying to control agriculture, land and water use, and eliminate human-animal interaction have never set foot on a farm. That’s where Protect the Harvest comes in. The organization was established in 2011 when the Humane Society of the United States tried to pass Proposition B, called the “Puppy Mill Bill,” in Missouri.
HSUS is well-funded and highly motivated to interfere with animal ownership rights, threatening farmers’ and ranchers’ livelihoods. Protect the Harvest founder Forest Lucas decided to establish an organization to protect people against restrictive legislation.
“He decided, ‘Well, I’m going to start Protect the Harvest,’ which goes out and defends American agriculture, you know, the freedoms, principles, and values. It stands up for food security, the defense of property rights, animal ownership, water ownership, water usage, you know, basically all those things, including hunters, fishermen, livestock owners, property owners, farmers, ranchers, you name it. That’s what Protect the Harvest stands up for.”
There are four main pillars that Protect the Harvest stands for and advocates for to spread awareness.
“We try to go out there and get things on social media in education. We will get involved in terms of trying to educate on, you know, legislative activities. We’re not a 501(c)4, we’re (c)3, so it’s educational. And then, if needed, we will get into litigations.”
Another big issue the organization is working on is a ballot initiative in Colorado that would ban livestock slaughter in the city and county of Denver.