Two expert panels will explore how the animal rights movement is impacting farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture industry at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2018 Stakeholders Summit set for May 3-4 at the Renaissance Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Va.
On the first panel, Jason Roesler, director of public affairs at Fur Commission USA, and Nicole Drumhiller, PhD, program director of intelligence studies at American Military University, will discuss the threat of radical animal rights extremism.
Roesler and Drumhiller conducted a mixed-methods study with members of the North American fur industry to examine the levels of fear and violence which ranchers, wholesalers, retailers and allied industries have faced at their homes and businesses. This panel will talk about the project and its findings, how other agricultural industries can do the same, and how these findings will assist with law enforcement and policy makers.
The second panel will feature Scott Sobel, senior vice president of crisis and litigation communications at kglobal, Bryan Humphreys, executive vice president at Ohio Pork Council and Jamie Jonker, PhD, vice president of sustainability and scientific affairs at National Milk Producers Federation. The speakers will share lessons learned about responding to activist tactics. Dallas Hockman, vice president of industry relations with National Pork Producers Council, will moderate the panel.
“The animal agriculture industry is resilient and always evolving, but animal rights extremism is a threat farmers and ranchers constantly face,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “We are excited to hear from these two panels on how farmers, ranchers and food industry stakeholders can be prepared for animal rights activity and what to do if it comes to their farm, store or company.”
Online registration is open through May 1. The room block at the Summit hotel is sold out. A room block is available directly across the street at the Marriot Courtyard Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National Airport, 2899 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, Virginia. A limited quantity of rooms are available for a discounted rate of $229/night. Book on the hotel website or call 800-676-3015 and ask for the Animal Agriculture Alliance room block.
Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date Summit information. You can also follow the hashtags #AAA18 and #ProtectYourRoots for periodic updates about the event.
