We Support Agriculture

We Support Agriculture (WSA) is a Nebraska-based alliance of agribusiness organizations that came together in 2011 to "to counteract any potential ballot initiatives put forth by animal rights organizations," particularly any efforts made by the Humane Society of the United States. Each of the group's member organizations (Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Poultry Industries, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and the Nebraska State Dairy Association) each organization pitched in $5,000 to get the group started. In addition to the animal agriculture groups that founded WSA, 13 chambers of commerce from around Nebraska pledged their support shortly after the group's founding. The Nebraska Farmers Union have declined to support WSA's effort, noting that WSA's strategy to combat increased animal welfare regulation "is to heavily arm after having no discussion or negotiation."


 * "The livestock groups behind the new coalition are concerned that the Humane Society might try to persuade Nebraska voters to restrict the use of common agricultural practices such as gestation crates for pregnant hogs or battery cages for laying hens.


 * "The Humane Society has used petition drives or the threat of them to impose such limits in several states. But national and state Humane Society officials say they have no plans for a ballot initiative in 2012."

The President of We Support Agriculture is Pete McClymont, who is also the Vice President of Legislative Affairs of the Nebraska Cattlemen.

Supporters
We Support Agriculture lists its supporters as:
 * Nebraska Cattlemen
 * Nebraska Farm Bureau
 * Nebraska Poultry Industries
 * Nebraska Pork Producers Association
 * Nebraska State Dairy Association

Contact Information

 * We Support Agriculture
 * Post Office Box 84274
 * Lincoln, NE 68501
 * Email: info at wesupportag dot org
 * Web: http://www.wesupportag.org/

Other SourceWatch resources

 * Nebraska Farm Bureau

External Articles

 * "Nebraska Agricultural Groups form We Support Agriculture (WSA) Organization," Press release by Nebraska Corn Growers, September 21, 2011.
 * Heather Johnson, "'We Support Agriculture' combats animal rights initiatives," North Platte Telegraph, September 20, 2011.
 * Geni Wren, "Nebraska’s We Support Agriculture taking a stand," Dairy Herd Network, September 20, 2011.
 * "Several Nebraska ag groups join up to promote business," AgWeek, September 15, 2011.
 * Don McCabe, "'We Support Agriculture' Launched at Husker Harvest Days," Husker Harvest Days, September 14, 2011.