Reposted from: https://www.citizensvoice.com/2026/02/20/letter-federal-bills-would-undermine-humane-farming/
February 20, 2026
At Two Creek Farm, we’ve learned that farm animals are happiest when they follow their instincts — and that’s also when they contribute most to the ecosystem. Our hogs root and till to open new pasture, our sheep restore degraded fields and our cattle trample and fertilize soil, building living soil and supporting biodiversity. Philosopher Martha Nussbaum calls this the Capabilities Approach; Joel Salatin calls it “respecting the pigness of pigs.” The point is the same: welfare and ecology aren’t competing priorities. They’re one and the same.
Farm policy should reflect that. California’s Proposition 12 sets minimum space standards for pork, eggs, and veal sold in the state — a baseline for how animals should be treated. Voters overwhelmingly approved it in 2018 because people want transparency in their food. Laws like Prop 12 reward farmers who invest in humane, sustainable practices rather than locking us into outdated models.
That’s why recent efforts in Congress to override Prop 12 are so troubling. Despite their friendly names, federal bills like the Food Security and Farm Protection Act and the Save Our Bacon Act would wipe out state-level standards, undermining farmers who raise animals humanely. It’s disappointing that Congressman G.T. Thompson, R-15, Bellefonte, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, supports folding these provisions into the upcoming Farm Bill, a move that would hurt Pennsylvania farmers like us.
We urge Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, and Congressman Rob Bresnahan, to reject these attempts. Stand with responsible farmers. Say no to stripping away state protections through the Farm Bill. Humane farming isn’t just possible — it’s thriving. Let’s defend it.
Brent Habig, Lakewood