Local farmers and agriculturalists join with The Humane Society of the United States to foster better animal welfare and environmental stewardship

GAITHERSBURG, MD, USA, August 25, 2015 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Today, The Humane Society of the United States announces The Pacific Northwest Agriculture Advisory Council, the eleventh in our growing system of state agriculture councils.

Council members hail from Glide, Ore., Roseburg, Ore., Elkton, Ore., Olympia, Wa., and Bruneau, Id. You can find more information about members below.

Comprised of local farmers and agriculturalists, the HSUS Pacific Northwest Agriculture Advisory Council will work to promote humane and sustainable agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. This includes assisting other family farmers with marketing opportunities for humane and sustainable products and helping fellow farmers transition to practices that adhere to higher animal welfare standards.

Heather Barklow

Heather Barklow of Glide, Oregon, grew up around horses, ranching and farming, in a family focused on community service. She rode horses competitively and participated in 4-H programs. After graduating from Oregon State University with a bachelor of science degree, Heather managed a riding program at a central Oregon guest ranch for several years. That position led to opportunities in several U.S. states and abroad. Today, Heather manages the Umpqua Valley Farmers Market in Roseburg, Oregon. She also owns and operates HB Horsemanship, and she and her partner, Brandon, assist at a friend’s cattle ranch.

Karin Kraft

Karin Kraft and her husband, Gene, run Iron Horse Farm in Olympia, Washington, where they built a “green” home. She raises Kunekune (pronounced cooney cooney) pigs from New Zealand, Nigerian Dwarf goats and a mixed flock of ducks, treating each animal with kindness and respect.
Karin has a master’s degree in environmental studies from The Evergreen State College and a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Texas A&M. She and her husband raised two sons. In her free time, she works on art projects and explores nature. Her artwork and animals can be seen at theironhorsefarm.com.

Rebecca Lampman

Rebecca Lampman runs a Bruneau, Idaho, dairy farm with her husband, Bruce, and their three children. Although she performs many tasks, her main duty is raising the farm’s Brown Swiss and Holstein calves. Rebecca regularly hosts farm tours for school groups, church groups and individuals. She’s also published articles on farming, food and animal welfare. Rebecca opposed Idaho’s “ag gag” legislation, which would have penalized factory farm whistleblowers and was ruled unconstitutional. Rebecca believes that mandatory statewide training in humane animal handling would be a much more positive route for the dairy industry in Idaho.

Michael and Elizabeth Lofrano

Mike and Elizabeth Lofrano, with their 8-year-old daughter, Carly, raise pigs and chickens on their 200-acre southern Oregon property, which they have been transforming into a sustainable ranch for the past 15 years. Three years ago, Circle Star Ranch received “Animal Welfare Approved” certification for its pig, chicken and egg farming. To achieve this certification, a farm must be pasture-based and meet high welfare requirements.
The Lofranos were happy to join the Pacific Northwest Agriculture Advisory Council when given the opportunity. The council's goals of educating consumers and ranchers about humane husbandry and promoting pro-animal laws align completely with the Lofranos’ ideals about ranching.

Erin Reid

Raven Feathers Farm owner Erin Reid moved to her Elkton, Oregon, farm after 25 years working worldwide as a licensed marine engineer. She has been rescuing, raising and showing waterfowl, poultry and other domestic birds for about 18 years. The farm breeds and raises ducks, geese and other birds for exhibition and eggs. The farm’s charter is simple: provide the best possible environment so this unique flock can live long and productive lives. All the birds are free-range and eat organic fruits and vegetables, some grown on-site, as well as the best commercial feeds available.
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Karen Allanach
The Humane Society of the United States
301-258-1436
email us here

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