‘Americans For Family Farmers’: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

September 9, 2021

The president of a group claiming to support “family farms” has deep ties to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and efforts backing California’s law on animal spacing, Michigan Farm News has learned.

Americans For Family Farmers recently sent requests to numerous Michigan farmers asking them to sign onto a letter to congressional leaders, calling for them to oppose the Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act.

According to the National Law Review, the EATS Act would “grant a private right of action allowing affected persons to seek an injunction against any state or local regulation that imposes a production or manufacturing standard on agricultural products that is more restrictive than a standard at the federal level.”

While the message farmers received from Americans For Family Farmers touts a “fairer playing field” and supporting “farmer-friendly laws,” there’s much more beneath the surface, says Michigan Farm Bureau Livestock and Dairy Specialist Ernie Birchmeier.

“It’s critical for people to know exactly what it is they’re signing onto when they receive requests like this one,” Birchmeier said.

“Taking a closer look at the history of the person leading Americans For Family Farmers shows a pattern of support for legislation that is not only unfriendly to farmers but has been devastating for agriculture as a whole.”

In documents filed with the state of California,