Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Back when I did street activism as a fairly fresh vegan, I would return from events on an absolute high.

Not purely because of the conversations I would have with non-vegan strangers… even more so because of the young people that would give up their Saturdays and Sundays to talk about animal rights.

The young people I was spending time with gave me so much HOPE.

It’s embarrassing to admit, at their age, I was spending my money on expensive clothes and my time in clubs and pubs. I might have worked on behalf of amazing not for profits, however I did not give up my prime free time too.

Today’s conversation is about preparing the leaders of tomorrow to transform the food industry, advocate for both animal welfare and human rights and lead the way in climate solutions.

My partner in dialogue is Danielle Hanosh, Co-Founder of Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary and Co-Founder and Executive Director of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet).

LEAP has the Mission: To transform today’s youth into the humane leaders of tomorrow who advocate for and work towards an equitable future for all living beings and the planet.

You might have heard of traditional agriculture programs in the US like 4H and FFA?

Non US listeners, If you haven’t, Danielle will dig in with what they are and why a change is needed. We will also discuss LEAPS’s humane education program that provides high school students across the US with a compassionate alternative to those programs.

In this conversation we cover:

• The LEAP origin story. starting with a thoughtful letter from a high school freshman named Audori in Orange County, CA.
• The problem with traditional US agriculture programs like 4H and FFA.
• The terrible conflict for kids distressed by the prospect of selling the animals they’ve cared for to be killed.
• LEAP is an alternative to traditional youth agriculture programs like 4H and FFA with a focus on compassion, sustainability and the connection between human rights, animal rights, and climate change.
• LEAP has huge interconnected goals, starting with preparing the leaders of tomorrow to transform the food industry.
• Transitioning away from animal agriculture is also vital for wild animals and their habitats.
• The intersection of human rights and animal agriculture: from conditions for farmers and slaughter-house workers to food deserts and food insecurity.
• Climate change, eco anxiety and how these huge issues are impacting the mental well-being of young people.
• Danielle’s hopes for Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet and the impact it will have.

I LOVE the education and solutions LEAP are providing as a first-of-its-kind compassionate alternative to traditional agriculture programs. The fact that they structure in how to share that knowledge with the family unit too?

Genius and absolutely necessary. For most of us, buy in, at least to some degree – from the people we love – makes any lifestyle and beyond that Belief change so much easier.

It is incredibly encouraging to hear how far the program has come from three founding sanctuaries: Jameson Humane, Rancho Compasion, and Blackberry Creek to 17 and counting!

As overwhelming as the extent of cruelty, exploitation and destruction in our world can seem, I know the only effective way to fight overwhelm is to take action. We owe it to our kids and their kids – and the planet we all share – to put in place ethical, sustainable alternatives to our current broken food system.

To connect with Danielle, Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet AND also Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary I will have you linked up in the show notes below.

Connect with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet across the socials: Facebook | Instagram

Check out the website: www.leapforanimals.org

Watch the short film: Audori’s Courage – LEAP Program Intro:

Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary website: https://www.blackberrycreek.org

Connect with Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary across the socials: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | YouTube | TikTok

That’s it for this week in Healthification.

However, have you checked out my Plant Positive Journal yet? 

I am so very proud of this stunning journal. There is now also a fillable PDF version available for immediate download so wherever you are in the world you can still get Plant Positive with me!

If you are plant-based curious. Or already vegan and need a healthier approach to the lifestyle.

In this daily journal you will learn how to consistently prioritise food, exercise and other healthy habits that build on each other to have a compounding and lasting effect.

To help you create a BODY and LIFE you LOVE by successfully managing your TIME and your MIND.

It makes a great gift to YOU!

Or, for the loved one who is plant-based curious or who has been a valuable vegan ally to you.

You can check out the printed version HERE: 

Plus, the fillable PDF HERE: 

Importantly, the journal follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.

With love and gratitude plant friends.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like Pam Ahern from Edgars Mission Farm Sanctuary Is Creating A Kinder World For Farmed Animals.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like Kathy Stevens of Catskill Animal Sanctuary and The Urgency of Veganism.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like E568: Vegan Athlete Fiona Oakes Is Running For Good.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like Former Chicken and Cattle Farmers Go Vegan and Leave Animal Agriculture with Jennifer Barrett.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like Farmers For Stock Free Farming with Rebecca Knowles.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like E561: The Last Pig Film with Allison Argo.

If you liked “Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.” you’ll also like E602: Alex Lockwood’s Short Film 73 Cows.