When you are shopping in a grocery store, have you ever paused to notice how it is decorated? Images of friendly farmers carrying baskets of eggs, or holding freshly-picked ears of corn are plastered on every aisle. Unfortunately, this idea of the “happy farmer” living on a clean, safe farm and graciously producing healthy food for the rest of the world only exists in pictures.

At the core of industrial farming, there is a great deal of corruption that affects employees, animals, and consumers alike. For generations, family farmers have lived under the oppressive hand of industrial farming companies, which force said farmers to conduct inhumane practices on their own land with no opportunity for change.

Big businesses like Tyson and Perdue hire small farmers, and require them to use their own lands for production. For example, a farmer employed by Perdue would be responsible for raising chickens for use by the company on his own farm. The problem with this practice is that these larger corporations are often motivated by profit, and not by the well-being of their employees. Because of this motivation, companies look for the fastest ways to produce food and make money. They implement specific practices, and enforce all farms under their control to conduct in this specific way. Often these practices are not only inhumane towards the animals they involve, but are also dangerous for the farmers themselves.

I feel very strongly that the sufferings of family farmers, livestock animals, and all those affected by these inhumane policies should be made known. This social justice issue directly violates the Catholic Social Justice Teachings of “Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers”, “Care for God’s Creation”, and “Human Dignity”. Family farmers, or the “workers” of industrial farms, are completely disrespected by these companies. They are constantly threatened to keep quiet about dangerous practices, and are forced to perform immoral procedures on their own lands. God’s Creation, or the livestock animals and the Earth itself, is also being completely mistreated. The land itself has been drained to its core by large-scale corn farming, leaving little hope of fertility in the future. Finally, the human dignity of employees, as well as consumers, is violated by these practices. Food companies often place exaggerated labels or phrases on food packaging to mislead buyers, and oversights in ingredients or in quality control often lead to dangerous illnesses in shoppers.

Justice is equality and equitability for all creatures of the Earth, regardless of their situation. It is something that all human beings deserve, but in many cases, it must still be worked towards. My topic is an injustice because it directly attacks the rights of humans (and animals) by silencing their voices and putting them in harm’s way without just cause.

Please continue exploring this website to learn more about this injustice, and find out how you can help make a change today!

Factory Farms typically conduct inhumane practices as a way to increase production speeds or enhance their products. But what are inhumane practices? By definition, they are processes that inflict unnecessary cruelty or suffering onto an innocent being. In terms of industrial farms, the following are common examples of inhumane practices these companies are allowed to enforce:

Force-Feeding ~ Factory workers are instructed to force-feed livestock animals as a way to promote growth. Typically, animals are force-fed foods that they would not typically eat. By nature, cows eat grass, but often in factory farms they will be force-fed corn to improve the taste of the resulting meat. Despite the obvious cruelty of the force-feeding process, being forced to eat foods that they are not used to can also cause the animals to become ill, and in many cases, to die.

Chemical Use / Growth Hormones ~ Some companies use artificial growth hormones to promote unnatural growth in their livestock animals. Bigger chickens and fatter cows bring in heavier profits, and many industrial farms use the motivation of profits as justification for using these substances. After being fed these hormones, many animals can no longer walk, and many die because they cannot move to drink water or eat food. Some die because their small hearts are unable to compensate for the size of their bloated bodies. The use of chemicals, whether to clean the meat being sorted or two sanitized animal living areas, can be deadly for animals and humans alike. Factory workers breathing in toxic fumes can develop diseases extremely quickly, and it is very difficult for them to successfully protect themselves.

Cramped Living Conditions ~ Livestock animals on factory farms often live in extremely close quarters that are rarely cleaned. Animals who die as a result of growth mutations or other conditions are typically left where they are until the animals are transported as a group into the factory, so living animals coexist with dead ones for weeks on end. Especially in chicken pens, dead chickens cover the ground as the living ones struggle to climb over the pile. It is extremely unsanitary, but also inhumane as it denies the animals their right to safe living conditions.

Increased Production Speeds ~ In order to boost profits, industrial farms often demand unreasonable production speeds from their employees. Studies have shown that increasing slaughtering speeds in food production factories is linked to illness outbreaks among consumers who purchase the final product. This is because as slaughtering speeds are reduced, the time for inspection of the meat is also cut down. This means that infected meats are able to pass by inspectors more frequently, spreading e. coli and other dangerous bacteria to consumers. Increased production speeds also put employees in danger, as they are forced to move quicker while using extremely dangerous equipment. A 2018 study showed that factory farm workers average two amputations per week as a result of dangerous conditions and increased work speeds. This is an example of an inhumane practice that impacts humans and animals alike.

To understand why practices enforced by factory farms are unjust, one must first understand the extent of the dangers to farmers, consumers, and the Earth brought about by these systems.

Family Farmers and Factory Employees ~ Industrial farms employ small family farms by locking them into binding contracts. If the farmers fail to comply with the policies issued by these businesses, they risk losing their lands (and therefore, their entire livelihoods). Consequently, these farmers are being forced to engage in practices that can be detrimental to their own lands, can challenge or compromise the morals of that farmer, and can be extremely dangerous, as the use of chemicals, growth hormones, and other steroids can be deadly for the farmers working with these products. Similarly, factory workers are constantly exposed to harmful chemicals, or are forced to work at unsafe speeds. For example, the new Hog Slaughtering Act passed by President Trump's Administration requires workers to slaughter at a much faster pace (1,099 pigs per hour) to increase profit margins. This speed is not only unsafe for workers, but it threatens the safety of the entire process as well.

Consumers ~ Shoppers can be affected by these same dangers when they purchase factory-produced food. Unsafe chemical use or unclean animal housing facilities can lead to the spread of diseases like e-coli, and can be fatal for consumers who unknowingly consume contaminated food products. The new Hog Slaughtering Act as mentioned above negatively impacts consumers as well. Studies have shown that increased production speeds result in a higher change for disease outbreaks, as there is less time within the slaughtering process to actually examine the animal. Since one pig could be used in multiple packages of meat, disease outbreaks are extremely difficult to track. One infected pig could reach hundreds of people all over the country, and little compensation is offered to affected families when this happens.

Livestock Animals and the Earth ~ Animals raised for food production, like cows and chickens, are often fed artificial growth hormones and chemicals to reach maximum size for sales. This not only puts consumers in harm’s way, but diminishes the quality of life for those animals. In many cases, animals grow so large until they cannot even move, and many die under the weight of their own bodies. Those who do survive remain in pens with the dead ones, which is not only unsanitary, but also extremely inhumane. The constant use of chemicals in food production also causes damage to the land, as does the overuse of such areas for corn and other mass crop production.

Why does this injustice exist? If it negatively impacts humans and animals alike, why is it allowed to continue? To understand, we must examine the perpetrators of this injustice.

Industrial Farming Companies ~ The drive for profit by wealthy farm corporations is the reason why this injustice has become so common in recent years. Industrial farming companies, typically owned and operated by the wealthy, are the main perpetrators of this issue. Company owners set in place and enforce dangerous practices to cut costs and increase production speeds, therefore fueling injustice.

The Government ~ Often, political figures will propose new rules and laws for factories to help increase profits. The motivation of economic success seems to override the goal of safety and security for workers a and consumers. The perfect example of this is the aforementioned Hog Slaughtering Rule recently passed by President Trump’s administration. This increase in the speed of the hog-slaughtering process can quicken the spread of diseases among the meats, and can be detrimental for the livestock pig-raising process. Such laws only further the damage of unsafe production practices.

Consumers ~ Unaware of the terrible injustice rooted in the food industry, consumers are often oblivious to the impact that their purchases have on the world around them. Misleading food labels and false company statements lead consumers to support corrupt companies, therefore allowing the cycle of injustice to continue.

Here are the ideologies that allow this cycle of injustice to continue:

The "Happy Farmer" Complex ~ Unfortunately, the belief that the American food industry is safe and simple is deeply rooted in consumers throughout the country. Most people do not have to think about how their food is made on a daily basis, and so there is a disconnect between the general public and the production of their food. In fact, nobody questions how their food is made until it makes them sick. This is the first issue. The “Happy Farmer” ideology, which is becoming increasingly popular in other countries as well as the U.S, leads consumers to believe that their food is produced by smiling family farmers who are dedicated to safety and cleanliness. This belief results in an incognizance among buyers; they do not see the problem with the industrial farming system, because they do not even look for one. This unconscious ignorance only perpetuates the cycle of oppression for these farmers, as consumers unknowingly continue to support these corrupt companies.

Anthropocentrism ~ This is the idea that humans are at the center of the universe, and that all other elements of life should cater to fit human wants and needs. This belief often leads to a misuse of abuse of natural resources, which is true for the issue of industrial farming as well. Though poor practices are kept quiet, the impact that farming and mass production of food has on the environment is no secret. Anthropocentrism makes humans blind to these harmful effects, and so the damage often goes unnoticed. The belief that humans do not hold responsibility for environmental crises has become a dangerous structure within our society today, as seen in the continuous deterioration of our natural world. In order for this cycle to be broken, humans must acknowledge the role we play in its perpetuation.

Corporate Priority of Profits ~ Large corporations value money and the money-making process over the well-being of their employees. This is why unsafe methods are often promoted in factory farms: they are fast, easy, and can extend a company’s profit margin. The skewed priorities of industrial farms disregard the human dignity of their workers, and put them at risk for injury or illness.

These three flawed ideologies sustain the oppression within the food industry, and in order to make strides towards safer farming conditions, these systems need to be altered.

Catholic Social Justice teachings are principles rooted in the Catholic faith which explain what justice means to God and the Church. The seven main Catholic Social Teachings highlight the important elements of Christian justice, and ways that we can help maintain God’s Will on Earth. There are three Social Teachings that are violated by my chosen injustice: the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, Care for Creation, and Life and Dignity of the Human Person.

The first teaching, the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, is the one most heavily infringed upon by the corruption within industrial farming practices. The workers of these companies, or the hired small farmers, are hit the hardest by the oppressive hand of factory farms. The strict contracts which bind them to these companies prevent them from being able to stand up for themselves. This means that aside from having no choice but to engage in immoral and inhumane practices, they also cannot fight for fair wages, question decisions or actions taken by their employers, or have any real control over their own lands. This is a direct violation of the Catholic Church’s definition of justice. As stated in the Bible in James 5:1-6, “Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God”. Industrial farm owners, who manipulate their employees for profit, are committing an immoral act by depriving their laborers the dignity of work. Dignity of work allows employees to create a living in a safe environment where their humanity is respected. By locking workers into harsh contracts and threatening to take away their entire livelihoods, industrial farm owners are “abusing” their employees through force and fear, and ignoring this fundamental human right to be respected and protected in the workplace.

Care for Creation means that humans have a responsibility to care for and protect the lands and creatures that God has created. By misusing the land and diminishing the quality of life of livestock animals, factory farming practices violate this principle. In Leviticus 25:1-7, the Bible states that, “The land itself must be given a rest and not abused”. Farming land, especially in regards to corn and crop production, is being taken advantage of by these companies. Factories often fail to recognize the value of the land for future generations, and overwork the space until there is nothing left. This is clearly an “abuse” of God’s Creation.

The final Catholic Social Justice Teaching that is violated by my topic is Life and Dignity of the Human Person. This teaching explains the sacredness of human life, and calls upon us to defend the lives of others. Foul practices in factory farms not only harm the lives of employees, but also of consumers who often contract diseases from unmonitored or chemically-enhanced products. The poor treatment of employees and threats to human life through health hazards and chemical use also diminishes the human dignity of workers and consumers alike, which is the second part of that teaching.

As presented through its very obvious violation of these three Catholic Social Teachings, the corrupt and inhumane systems within factory farming are clearly socially unjust.

“What we would like to do is change the world...by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, of the poor, of the destitute. We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident that its ever widening circle will reach around the world” ~ Dorothy Day, Catholic Activist & Journalist

“Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation” ~ Pope Paul VI

When it comes to injustices centered on large or powerful corporations, it is easy to feel like not much can be done by everyday people. That is certainly not the case, especially with this injustice. Consumers can play a huge role in the push for reform within factory farms. By becoming better educated not only about the issue, but about specific companies as well, shoppers can break bad purchasing habits and end the cycle of profit perpetuation. My Action Plan is to educate my viewers about the dangers of factory farms, and also to provide resources for shoppers so that we can all make better decisions going forward. I believe that my plan for a call for reform will be effective because if resources and information about this topic are more easily accessible, I believe that more people will make an effort to change their shopping habits.

Though I am unable to distribute a physical take-away to my visitors, I would like to direct you instead to the ASPCA's "Shop with Your Heart" initiative platform. Here, you can find lists of local food companies and farms that you can feel good about supporting. This platform also breaks down food labels so you know exactly what you are purchasing. Please visit the site today to learn more about what you can do to help (see the link at the bottom of this page). In the meantime, here are some companies suggested by the ASPCA as trustworthy and ethical options for consumers:

For Chicken Products

• Farmer Focus (certified humane)

• Joyce Farms (animal welfare certified)

• Naked Truth (animal welfare certified)

• White Oak Pastures (animal welfare certified, certified humane)

For Beef Products

• Aspen Ridge (certified humane)

• Crane Dance Farm (animal welfare approved)

• Firefly Farms (certified humane)

• Mariposa Ranch (certified humane)

For Pork Products

• Llano Seco (animal welfare certified)

• Newman Farms (certified humane)

• Starwalker Organic Farms (certified humane)

• Thompson Farms (animal welfare certified)

These companies, and many more listed on the ASPCA website, have met the high standards set for animal welfare and humanity certification. Products from these companies can typically be purchased online, which makes them a convenient and ethical option. I also encourage you to support local farms in your area. As part of my project, I interviewed Stewart Yeaton, the co-owner of Yeatons Dairy Farm in Epsom, NH. He explained the invaluable benefits of supporting local businesses over larger industrial ones: there is a higher level of care that goes into every product, and a higher level of respect for the animals being raised as well. Below, I have linked a video of Stewart discussing some details about his property, and what it means to him. Please consider supporting family farms in your own area. It could make a world of difference!

If you are unable to purchase from family farms for any reason, there are still steps you can take to help fight this injustice! Limiting your consumption of meat and dairy products can be just as effective, and benefits both the environment and your own health. Simply reducing the amount of animal products you buy each week makes a difference and shows you are taking a stand against the corruption of industrial farms.

During United States Literature class my sophomore year of high school, we watched a documentary titled, "Food, Inc". The graphic footage of the facilities and livestock housing areas used by industrial farms left a lasting impact on me, and I knew from that day on that I felt passionate enough about this topic to make it my Social Justice project. Two years later, my interest in this injustice has only intensified, as I have found that new legislation being passed today still continues to perpetuate this issue. My hope is that by presenting this information to my viewers, and by providing the above resources, I can promote better shopping habits within my own community, and work for justice for factory farm employees, and livestock animals as well. I encourage you to explore the resources located in the tab above, and to find the food companies nearest to you that you can feel good about supporting. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my project!

Here is the trailer of "Food, Inc.", the documentary that inspired my project! https://www.pbs.org/pov/watch/foodinc/video-foodinc-trailer/

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my project! A list of references for my information and images can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VRhqSq2Qd8Nq9ImcsLLVnlExYyf98D3zo025HR7cjeQ/edit?usp=sharing