This is not meant to insult or attack anyone. I apologize if it comes across that way. And as a warning, I do have ADHD and anxiety, so please bear with me if my thoughts and writing are hard to follow at times.
So, I think that by now, everyone should know what veganism is. But this debate on whether or not it is good for individuals and the planet isn't over. I'm here to provide another perspective on the subject. I'm a semi-country girl, ex-member of the FFA, and I grew up surrounded by farmers and ranchers, even if I'm not one myself. I understand the point some of you vegans have but hear me out from my personal views. I have done research, because I'm not going to say things that aren't true, and I am going to argue with the claims vegans have made.
So, to start, we need to know two things. What veganism is and what animal rights activists are. Veganism is a lifestyle choice where one chooses not to eat any animal products or use animal byproducts. Animal rights activists are individuals who advocate for better treatment of animals and often promote veganism as a means to achieve this goal.
I, personally, think that vegans haven't taken a look at the real world. I grew up in a small town surrounded by ranches and farm fields, and I didn't get fully intertwined with the world of agriculture until a little later in life. One of the high school classes I took was Intro to Agriculture, which prompted me to join FFA.
For those who don't know, the FFA stands for Future Farmers of America. It is an organization that aims to educate and empower students in agricultural practices and leadership. The FFA Creed sets out our values and beliefs, and I will link a video for reference at the end of the essay. I memorized the creed for the means of entering the FFA Creed Contest alongside Dairy Judging. It is what the FFA stands for and what drives its members to pursue a career in agriculture.
And why do I bring this up? Because Agriculture plays a major role in not only feeding the world, but in education, economic growth, and providing livelihoods for millions of people. Agriculture and its related industries provide 10.4 percent of U.S. employment, and it is vital that we first recognize agriculture before we talk about vegans. I suggest that you do your share of research to understand what I'm reaching to.
Now that I have mentioned that let's talk about vegans. I first of veganism by finding out about the Vegan Teacher on YouTube. I talked with my grandmama about it, and she said, and I quote, "If [The Vegan Teacher] were to take one step outside the city, she wouldn't survive a second."
And she made a great point! And I did some research on my own, and in these next several essays I will be exploring veganism, answering questions, and showing why we need animals in our society. Feel free to ask any questions along the way, because I'm not the kind of person to hate on people for anything. I was taught to be respectful and kind towards anyone and everyone. And that is for everyone who sees this: I am not trying to be rude or disrespectful, I'm just trying to provide a new prospective on this topic.
Now following what I was saying earlier: Veganism isn't a perfect solution.
As I found in my research, veganism is healthy and reduces the risk of certain health conditions or disease, but like most things on this planet, it's not without its drawbacks. Vegan diets can sometimes be lacking in certain essential nutrients if not properly planned and balanced. And while I'll probably need a doctor or nutritionist to go further into this topic, I can mention some drawbacks. One potential drawback of veganism is the challenge of getting enough proteins, vitamins, and minerals solely from plant-based sources. And I guess you could solve the minerals problem by eating rocks, but vitamins and proteins are harder to do that with.
And as I have seen with my own eyes, farmland is disappearing. This breaks my heart, because that means for those who want to be vegan, their sources are disappearing alongside the farmland. It's sad, but it's true.
And now, moving on to the animals. First up, I acknowledge that the dairy, meat, and egg industries are a little controversial in terms of animal welfare and environmental impact. But when I hear people say we steal eggs and milk from chickens and cows, I very much disagree.
First off, we don't steal eggs from chickens. According to the US Department of Agriculture, 87% of the eggs we consume are unfertilized eggs, so no baby chick was ever going to hatch from them. Second, when cows are milked, it is actually good for them. If cows are not milked regularly, they can develop painful infections and discomfort. As for sheep, they need to be sheared for their own wellbeing as well. Leaving a sheep unsheared can cause it to get too hot or get caught in bushes and die. So, it is a two-way benefit. Humans get nutritious food and animals receive proper care, and when done right, animal agriculture can be very sustainable and beneficial.
I think this will wrap up this essay. Feel free to ask questions if you have any. I'll be happy to answer. And of course, have a wonderful day, stay healthy, and be yourself!
