Gene Baur is co‑founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, and has been hailed as “the conscience of the food movement” by TIME magazine. He was a pioneer in undercover investigations and instrumental in passing the first U.S. laws to ban inhumane factory farming practices. Beginning in 1986, he has traveled extensively, campaigning to raise awareness about the abuses of animal agriculture and our cheap food system. Gene’s latest book, Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every Day, was published by Rodale in April 2015. He has a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University, and is a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Presentation Topics:
How We Treat The Animals We Eat (Sunday)
This presentation exposes the disconnect between the food on our plates and the conditions in which animals live and die to satisfy consumer demand. Gene provides insight into the principle that these sentient individuals are someone, not something, and discusses how we can make alternative choices that do not cause unnecessary harm.
The Future is Vegan (Saturday – festival opening speech)
Amid growing awareness about the abuses of factory farming, a convergence of concerns and interests is compelling us toward a plant based food system. This discussion addresses exciting developments and opportunities, as well as the challenges we face in creating a vegan world.
