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Two of the World’s Leading Experts on Nutrition and Economics Converge in Upstate New York for Farm Sanctuary’s Country Hoe Down

Bestselling “China Study” Author T. Colin Campbell, World Renowned Economic Analyst Jeremy Rifkin, and Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur Headline Highly Anticipated Annual Event 

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – July 26, 2010 – This summer, with farm animal issues in the national spotlight like never before due to a recent landmark Ohio farm animal welfare agreement, a ban on shelled eggs from battery caged hens in California and the United Nation’s continued citation of animal agriculture as one of the leading causes of environmental degradation, Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, will host the annual New York Country Hoe Down. This year’s farm animal protection conference features world renowned speakers in animal advocacy, public health and nutrition, science, economics and public policy.

Held on the organization’s beautiful 175-acre sanctuary grounds, this highly anticipated event attracts hundreds of compassionate-minded people from all over the country for a weekend of inspiring presentations, expert-led workshops, delicious vegan food, book signings, barn dancing, camping, hayrides and plenty of one-on-one time with the stars of the show — the sanctuary’s rescued farm animal residents. Designed to engage both attendees’ minds and hearts, this festive two day conference is guaranteed to offer something for everyone — from seasoned animal advocates to those new to animal protection issues.

This year’s impressive speaker line up includes headliners  T. Colin Campbell, a pioneer in the field of nutrition research and co-author of The China Study: Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long Term Health, who is also featured in the new documentary Forks Over Knives;  Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends and the author of 18 bestselling books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society, and the environment, and Gene Baur, co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, and bestselling author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food.

Other featured speakers include Melanie Joy, a Harvard-educated psychologist and author of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism; celebrated vegan cookbook author Ani Phyo; Rae Sikora, co-founder of Plant Peace Daily, VegFund and the Institute for Humane Education; Farm Sanctuary Executive Director Dr. Allan Kornberg; and Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s national shelter director. In addition to the jam-packed speaker schedule, attendees will be offered hayrides up to the shelter to meet our sanctuary residents, whose perseverance and moving tales of survival have inspired thousands to speak up on behalf of farm animals. And almost as famous as the conference’s speakers, is the rousing Saturday night barn dance, complete with music and complimentary vegan snacks, as well as a bonfire under the star-studded night sky.

“Every year, we raise the bar for ourselves in planning the Country Hoe Down,” said Michelle Waffner, Farm Sanctuary’s education director. “For our 2010 event, we’ve made sure to fill the schedule with events that do much more than simply inundate attendees with information. When visitors leave, they will take with them new knowledge, new experiences and new friends, both human and animal. We hope their memories will prompt them to advocate for farm animals in the upcoming year and beyond.”

This year’s event is sold out, but those wanting to attend can be added to a wait list should any space be made available. Interested parties can call607-583-2225 or email info@farmsanctuary.org for more information.

Media interested in interviewing Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur or any of the highlighted speakers can contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FarmSanctuary