Research before you donate

Commentary

There is nothing I love more than to hear from readers and listeners. I especially like to hear from readers and listeners who have stepped away from the sidelines and engaged in the grassroots effort to tell the true story of agriculture. I hear from people every day who are taking simple yet meaningful steps to educate neighbors and friends about agriculture. Just because the first and second grade Sunday school teacher at church grew up on a farm doesn’t mean she has a complete understanding about modern agriculture practices. It’s been 15 years since she was raising pigs in dirt lots and showing those pigs at the county fair. Dirt lots might be fine for some, but there are modern housing options that have proven to provide a cleaner, healthier and safer environment for pigs and the people working with the pigs.

Technology has had an impact on every aspect of our lives, from the vehicles we drive to the appliances with which we do laundry and cook food for our families, to the medical and dental treatments we receive.

Maybe technology isn’t the best fit for everybody, but I sure prefer my energy efficient washing machine to the big old machine that used a lot more water, electricity and detergent and did a happy dance all over the laundry room when it was spinning the water out of my towels.

Last week, I heard from a reader who got in the game by doing a little research on his own. I wish I could tell you that I am the one who made the call, but I did not. This is the note I received from a farmer from Illinois:

“One program I watch is sponsored at least once per day by HSUS with the dreadful pictures of animals in wretched conditions and a message that suggests you can stop such treatment of animals for $19 per month. A toll free phone number is included. I called the number. The first exchange consisted of a request for my phone number which was denied by me. I requested information and stated that I was interested in participating by volunteering at the nearest shelter. The answer was that my $19 would help 3500 shelters. Being a hands-on type I insisted upon helping in person and where is a shelter. The answer was they helped 3500 shelters and she could not remember 3500 shelters. My request again was for just one shelter. The response was that she could not remember the name and location of 3500 shelters but for $19 per month I would be helping all of them and if not that a one-time donation of $25 could be made. That concluded the call and confirmed what you have been telling us and confirmed the suspicions I had on my own, not a whole lot different from the e-mail from Africa asking me for my bank account number so millions of dollars can be deposited from a dead man’s account there being no known heirs so the banker and I can share it as soon as I supply him with my bank account numbers. Judging from the e-mail I get there must not be a man left alive in Africa and they all died with no heirs to inherit the millions in their estates. Thought you’d like to know that someone pays attention to your column.”

What are you going to do this week to make a difference? To learn, to share, to educate? Get back to me on that, will you?