ORLAND, Calif. – If hayrides, barn dances, and spending time with rescued farm animals doesn’t signal the official start of summer to you, then you’ve never been to Farm Sanctuary’s California Country Hoe Down, June 4-5 at their renowned shelter in Orland, California. Don’t worry, there’s still time to register. This year’s event promises to be extra special, as attendees are invited to celebrate the leading farm animal protection organization’s 25th anniversary and welcome their iconic President and Co-founder Gene Baur home from the Just Eats Tour, an epic cross-country adventure to explore vegan America in the same Volkswagen van used to found the organization. The groundbreaking tour launched on May 14 from the organization’s star-studded Gala at Cipriani in New York City.
“The Country Hoe Down represents the ideal relationship between people and farm animals,” says Baur, who will share riveting stories of his experiences over the last three weeks, as he traveled nearly 5,000 miles sharing a message of compassion for farm animals and hope for the future. “What has struck me most as I travel across America is how closely linked farm animal issues are with people issues. Whether it’s the folks I spoke with in Tulsa who are battling water pollution caused by factory farms or listening to Rip Esselstyn in Austin describe how the health of his fellow firefighters dramatically improved once they stopped eating animal products, it’s become crystal clear to me that whenever farm animals are mistreated, people suffer the harmful effects, too.”
In addition to an inspiring line-up of presentations from some of the animal protection movement’s most notable speakers, the Country Hoe Down offers guests an opportunity to bond with the shelter’s rescued animal residents, feast on mouth-watering vegan food, let loose at a lively barn dance, and peek inside the historical VW van that sparked a national awakening toward conscious consumption and respect for farm animals. “The Country Hoe Down brings out the best in people by creating an environment where they can interact with farm animals in a respectful, non-exploitative way,” says Baur. “If I’ve discovered anything while traveling across this great country, it’s that most people want to be kind.”
