Cyndi's Two Cents

Terrorism does occur in rural America

I wonder how many people have duct tape stockpiled in an effort to be prepared for a bio-terrorism incident in the United States? I know many people who have water and food stored in case of some sort of emergency. If it brings those who do a sense of security for themselves and their families, I say “good for them.”

Here in the Midwest, far from the “mean streets” of the big city, I often feel insulated from evil acts of terrorism. The chance that I or someone I know will fall victim to an attack of this nature is only a remote possibility, but it is a possibility, and that leaves a feeling of uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.

Along with the agricultural journalists that work for me, I have conducted interviews with representatives from state and national commodity groups, departments of agriculture, state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies, and departments of homeland security, asking them to help us help our listeners during times of heightened awareness for increased personal and farm security.

According to many of the experts we’ve interviewed, the greatest security risk to farms, greenhouses and nurseries where plants are grown is the unauthorized access to farm chemicals and application equipment. We all know that pesticides should be stored away from children and pets. Pesticides should also be secure from trespassers, vandals and thieves who may inadvertently or intentionally use these chemicals to harm themselves, other people, crop or non-crop lands and the environment. We are also encouraged to keep our eyes open for “suspicious activity.” What does that mean? Any activity “out of the ordinary” by your employees; signs of tampering with equipment or facilities; strangers showing an interest in your operation – authorized or not. For the most part, I’m told, I’ll recognize suspicious activity when I see it.

Experts tell us that good security and bio-security practices are important no matter what size of farm you have. Terrorism does occur in rural areas; on farms and ranches.

Last month, animal rights terrorists set digitally controlled incendiary devices (bombs on timers) beneath 14 cattle trucks and trailers at the Harris Ranch feed yard near Coalinga, California. All of the trucks were destroyed, but thank God no people were injured.

The cowards who committed this act of terrorism did so to protest what they called “the horrors and injustice of factory farming.”

By U.S. standards, the Harris Ranch feedlot is large. As a matter of fact, it is the 14th largest in the country with a capacity of 100-thousand head. But these animal rights terrorists don’t give a rip about size or species. They don’t care if yours is a small farm in the Midwest. They don’t care that you do not finish cattle in a feed yard. These criminals don’t care if your hens are cage free. They don’t care that you do not use gestation stalls for your sows.

They don’t eat meat and do not want you to eat meat. Many believe that an animal has the same rights as a human being.

We need to do more than stockpile duct tape, friends, because these terrorists have promised to attack again.