FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2019
Humane Education Coalition Announces 2019 Excellence Award Recipient, Farm Sanctuary
SAN ANTONIO, TX - The Humane Education Coalition is thrilled to announce their 2019 Excellence in Humane Education Award recipient, Farm Sanctuary. Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming and encourage a new awareness and understanding about farm animals. The organization educates young hearts and minds about our food system and farm animals with a combined focus on animal protection, environmental ethics, and social justice.
“We’re honored to be the recipient of the 2019 Excellence in Humane Education Award,” said Farm Sanctuary Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Megan Watkins. "It is heartening recognition of Farm Sanctuary’s commitment to humane education, as well as the hard work and vision of our team of humane educators. We are inspired by the Humane Education Coalition’s efforts to build alliances among humane educators worldwide and strengthen our collective impact through collaboration.”
Through free, in-classroom presentations offered in New York City and Philadelphia metro areas, New Jersey, Connecticut, San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles that are geared toward students in grades 5-12, Farm Sanctuary provides an age-appropriate introduction to our food system to thousands of students each year. The presentations include a virtual reality experience where students visit one of Farm Sanctuary's shelters and see how the rescued animals live. Farm Sanctuary's teaching methods are informative and well-rounded, detailing how humans, other animals, and our environment are impacted by our food system and how students, as informed citizens, can make a positive impact for all living beings.
Through free, in-classroom presentations offered in New York City and Philadelphia metro areas, New Jersey, Connecticut, San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles that are geared toward students in grades 5-12, Farm Sanctuary provides an age-appropriate introduction to our food system to thousands of students each year. The presentations include a virtual reality experience where students visit one of Farm Sanctuary's shelters and see how the rescued animals live. Farm Sanctuary's teaching methods are informative and well-rounded, detailing how humans, other animals, and our environment are impacted by our food system and how students, as informed citizens, can make a positive impact for all living beings.
In addition to in-classroom presentations, Farm Sanctuary recently created the innovative Sustainable Future curriculum, a free environmental and earth science curriculum for middle and high school teachers that aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and enables teachers to incorporate issues of our food system and their impacts on the environment into their own classroom teaching. The new curriculum can be downloaded at no cost and includes two lessons each for middle and high school teachers. These lessons reflect the most current research findings on environmental issues with data sourced from the CDC, USDA, NASA, EPA, and more. The Sustainable Future curriculum has the potential to reach thousands more students each year than the regionally-located humane educators can reach alone. Teacher feedback has been entirely positive with requests for additional lessons.
Farm Sanctuary also developed a Youth Action for Farm Animals program designed to empower youth to create change for animals. The program includes resources, tips, and ideas created by members of their Youth Leadership Council to serve as a resource for other youth who are interested in animal activism. The Youth Leadership Council provides the chance for students to connect with like-minded peers from across the country and offers tools to support advocacy projects. Established in 2017, the Youth Leadership Council is comprised of more than 50 student activists from across the United States.
“Farm Sanctuary is immensely grateful for the pioneering work of the humane education community and the leadership of the Humane Education Coalition,” said Farm Sanctuary Director of Education and Strategic Initiatives, Samantha Pachirat. “For us, the Excellence Award is recognition of the educative power of sanctuaries to bring to life complex issues of contemporary agriculture in the classroom and empower a generation to create change. This award only deepens our dedication to partnering with students, teachers, and leaders in humane education to build a more just and sustainable future.”
Farm Sanctuary understands that young people are our future leaders and must have all of the facts if they are to create positive change. Their curriculum resources and education programs are a model for the field of humane education because they significantly impact the way young people think about their responsibility to other animals and our shared environment. Educators across the United States benefit because these flagship resources are available to them at no cost. The Coalition applauds Farm Sanctuary's efforts and thanks them for all they do to create a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world!
Farm Sanctuary understands that young people are our future leaders and must have all of the facts if they are to create positive change. Their curriculum resources and education programs are a model for the field of humane education because they significantly impact the way young people think about their responsibility to other animals and our shared environment. Educators across the United States benefit because these flagship resources are available to them at no cost. The Coalition applauds Farm Sanctuary's efforts and thanks them for all they do to create a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world!
About the Award
Each year, the Humane Education Coalition honors a distinguished organization that has made a significant contribution to the field of humane education. The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding commitment and achievements of agencies involved in advancing humane education in innovative and extraordinary ways.
The Coalition's award selection committee, comprised of more than 20 experienced professionals, reviewed all nominees over the past several weeks as part of a thorough selection process that included rigorous selection criteria and a detailed evaluation instrument. Committee members are in no way affiliated with nominees and were carefully screened to ensure there is no conflict of interest for award selection.
Farm Sanctuary received exceptional ratings for all criteria, including:
The Coalition's award selection committee, comprised of more than 20 experienced professionals, reviewed all nominees over the past several weeks as part of a thorough selection process that included rigorous selection criteria and a detailed evaluation instrument. Committee members are in no way affiliated with nominees and were carefully screened to ensure there is no conflict of interest for award selection.
Farm Sanctuary received exceptional ratings for all criteria, including:
- demonstrating a commitment to the field of humane education;
- demonstrating extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, innovation, and creativity in humane education;
- leading by example, inspiring hope and empowering change in others;
- ability and willingness to work positively, respectfully, and effectively with others;
- and making a significant and meaningful contribution to the field of humane education in the last 12 months.
About the Coalition
The Humane Education Coalition is a global alliance for collective impact. Its mission is to advance the field of humane education for the betterment of all living things. The Coalition collaborates with partners in human rights, environmental ethics, and animal protection to achieve common goals and support their work.
The Coalition provides needed grant funding, education, and resources for agencies that teach about issues impacting human and non-human animals and the planet we share. They also work collaboratively with partners around the world to implement groundbreaking initiatives in the field of humane education.
The Coalition provides needed grant funding, education, and resources for agencies that teach about issues impacting human and non-human animals and the planet we share. They also work collaboratively with partners around the world to implement groundbreaking initiatives in the field of humane education.
Media Contact
For press and media inquiries, please contact:
Megan Moon, HEC President
megan@hecoalition.org
+1.210.704.7468
PO Box 769411, San Antonio, TX 78245
Megan Moon, HEC President
megan@hecoalition.org
+1.210.704.7468
PO Box 769411, San Antonio, TX 78245
