Compassionate Action for Animals

Get to know Elicia Hay-Bailey, CAA Volunteer

July 20, 2023

Elicia with her new friend Detective Patty Lammers at Chicken Run Rescue during our recent Friends of the Flock work day

In March of 2023, Elicia was cleaning her inbox and stumbled across an email from Compassionate Action Animals. It was a promotion for the 25th Annual Banquet. She was motivated to attend to support CAA and promote vegan living.

After the banquet, Elicia helped with the Food Giveaway at the University of Minnesota campus. Perfect weather bolstered attendance, and many took the VegPledge! Introducing people to vegan food and motivating them to change brought her joy.

Soon afterwards, Elicia started volunteering with CAA on a regular basis. She assisted with leaflet stuffing and took part in a parade.  She also worked with restaurant outreach and on the social media committee for the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge. Elicia finds the variety of events CAA offers exciting and is glad she can volunteer often.

Having fun with like-minded people and the excellent support system CAA has built helps keep her engaged. And, she says, volunteering encourages her vegan lifestyle!

Elicia has been plant-based since the Spring of 2011. The April screening of Eating Our Way to Extinction motivated her to take a final step. She dropped the small amount of seafood she ate from her diet and is now 100% vegan. Understanding her dietary choices’ environmental impact makes the change much more effortless!

Volunteering is in her blood. She is active with the Carver Scott Humane Society, Can Do Canines, and Feed My Starving Children. Elicia says, “I have the support of my loving husband in my choice to be vegan and in all my volunteer activities!”

Hiking, biking, camping, and having a fire (in a legal fire pit) are all favorite activities. And when the weather is terrible, she enjoys movies with friends and family. She is especially drawn to those based on true stories.

When she has time, Elicia loves making fresh vegan gluten-free soups. And when she is in a hurry, she relishes Mikey’s plant-based E*G and CH**SE scramble pockets!

Meet Hank, lucky new resident at Spring Farm Sanctuary

July 11. 2023

Meet Hank, a brave turkey who recently had a change in luck. It all began when Hank was discovered wandering in a neighborhood in New Hope, MN. Thanks to the compassion of an animal rescuer, he now has a second chance at life at Spring Farm Sanctuary.

Upon hearing about Hank’s situation, Spring Farm felt compelled to help. They eagerly offered to provide Hank with a loving home where he would be safe and cherished. After a vet exam, this one year old turkey was given a clean bill of health, aside from being a bit on the husky side. In fact, he tipped the scales at an astonishing 54 pounds!

Determined to help Hank shed those extra pounds and lead a healthy life, they embarked on a carefully monitored feeding regimen. Hank is now enjoying a balanced diet of two cups of food per day, supplemented with a variety of fresh produce. And the results have been astounding! Hank recently weighed in at 47.9 pounds—a remarkable achievement. This places him within the healthy weight range for a male broad-breasted turkey.

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2023 4th of July Potluck Picnic reaches yummy new heights

Over 70 people joined together for a compassionate celebration of the 4th of July! People of all ages and backgrounds found common ground in our love for great vegan food. About half were new to CAA events and all had a great time getting to know each other while enjoying all the potluck items.

Participants really stepped up with an amazing variety of goodies, from main dishes to sides, drinks and deserts. Dave Feldmann and Kelly Prosen rocked it by bringing and grilling dozens of Field Roast frankfurters with buns and condiments! There was something for all tastebuds. The weather even cooperated with a big storm ending just in time!

Urgent Alert: Animal Welfare and State Rights under threat from EATS Act

June 21, 2023

We recently received a critical update from the Humane Society of the United States regarding a proposed law that could have far-reaching consequences. Not only for animal welfare here in Minnesota, but also for the entire nation. Find out more about the EATS act below and then click the link below to take action.

What does this proposed law entail? In essence, it aims to restrict states from establishing fundamental standards for the production and manufacturing of agricultural products within their own borders, including regulations related to animal welfare. The EATS Act seeks to prevent the regulation of any agricultural product, broadly defined, that moves across state lines.

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CAA at the LEAD Conference: A week of learning, networking, and growth

June 19, 2023

Participants in June’s LEAD for Farmed Animals conference, including CAA Executive Director, Laura Matanah (second row from the top toward the left, in light blue)

Executive Director Laura Matanah joined more than 100 other farmed animal advocates in June at the LEAD for Farmed Animals conference in Los Angeles in June. Experts trained attendees in Organizational Health and Movement Building. A scholarship from generous movement donors enabled Laura to attend. She found it to be valuable for our work due to insights, invaluable connections, and potential future partnerships she made.

Attendees delved into a myriad of topics. Laura’s course focused on fostering a healthy, inclusive, and equitable workplace. Her cohort spent time reflecting on current challenges, learning new techniques for meeting them, supporting each other in practicing how to implement the techniques.

Over the course of those transformative days, they delved into a myriad of topics, with a special emphasis on fostering a healthy, inclusive, and equitable workplace. Here are just a few highlights from the journey:

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Powering ahead toward our factory farm petition goal: Over 400 signatures and counting

June 16, 2023

We are making great strides in our mission to enact a moratorium on new factory farm construction and expansion in Minnesota. Our petition, aimed at gathering 1,000 signatures, has gained significant momentum with over 400 supporters on board. After promoting it at the Pride festival, we anticipate crossing the halfway mark! This will make a resounding statement. Our voices will be heard by our MN legislators.

Our approach to collecting petition signatures has shifted for the summer. We are incorporating petition gathering into outreach at summer festivals. As we raise awareness about the horrors of factory farming, we will also empower them to take action.

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Meet Blossom—Farmaste resident and jumping queen!

June 16, 2023

When Blossom arrived at Farmaste Animal Sanctuary in July 2020, she was extremely anxious and wary of humans. It took time and patience for her to build trust with her caregivers. Through consistent care, Blossom has made significant progress in overcoming her fear. She has become more comfortable with her caregivers.  She now allows them to give her occasional scratches and pets!

When Blossom arrived at Farmaste in July 2020, she was extremely anxious and wary of humans. It took time and patience for her to build trust with her caregivers. Through consistent care, Blossom has made significant progress in overcoming her fear. She has become more comfortable with her caregivers.  She now allows them to give her occasional scratches and pets!

One of Blossom’s greatest joys is being a part of her goat family. She has formed a strong bond with her herd and finds comfort in their presence. Recently, she was introduced to her stall-mate, Lilibet, and their friendship has blossomed. They enjoy playing together and have become inseparable.

Join our upcoming tour of Farmaste so that you can meet Blossom and her friends! CAA is organizing a tour on Saturday, July 8 from 3- 4 pm. The tour costs just $15 to help with support of the residents. We can take only 20 people so act now!

At Farmaste, Blossom has found safety, love, and companionship. She is now able to express her playful and energetic nature. Her favorite activities are jumping (up to 8 feet high!), high-stepping through the field, and basking in the sun. She also takes her role as a tester of the enclosure seriously, ensuring that her home remains secure.

Blossom is slowly  but surely embracing her new life. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and the resilience of animals.

There are also opportunities to volunteer with Farmaste. You can help with such things as barn cleaning like we did on our recent CAA/Farmaste Work Day. It’s very rewarding to sweat for the animals.

Batch Cooking | July 2023 | Vegan Recipe Club

June 12, 2023

Continue your vegan cooking journey with the July installment of CAA’s Vegan Recipe Club. The cookbook selection for July is The Vegan Week by Gena Hamshaw. We will get together online on July 18 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm to discuss several recipes from this helpful cookbook. The book focuses on doing weekly food prep to save time and effort during your busy week. The recipes from this practical and delicious guide to vegan meal planning can help. 

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced cook, the CAA’s Vegan Recipe Club welcomes everyone interested in exploring vegan cuisine. Participants make three recipes from popular cookbooks each month and then share their reflections with the group. Enjoy the process, savor the flavors, and have fun connecting with like-minded individuals who share your passion for plant-based cooking.

The publisher describes the book from Full Helping blogger Gena Hamshaw: “Home cooking can be a challenge when life gets busy. Meal prep is the fix for having flavorful, nourishing meals to rely upon all week long. Gena, a longtime vegan with a demanding schedule, prioritizes nutritional balance as well as taste in this hands-on meatless primer. The Vegan Week will teach you how to batch cook varied, colorful, and comforting meals over the weekend, whether you have three, two, or even just one hour of time to spare.”
 
“This book is a roadmap to eating vegan food regularly, incorporating it into daily life even when things are hectic. Thanks to meal prep techniques and recipes, you won’t have to choose between the demands of your schedule and your desire to prioritize taste, nutrition, and the joy of eating homemade food.”

In the recipe club this month we will discuss these recipes from The Vegan Week, 2022 by Gena Hamshaw.

  • Tofu Feta – pg 31
  • Tempeh Chorizo – pg 40
  • Ginger Pear Upside-Down Cake – pg 215

optional:

  • Tempeh Chorizo Sweet Potato Hash – pg 91
  • Fig Cookies – pg 114-116
  • Soy Curls Gyros – pg 197

You may download the recipes using the link below or pick them up at East Lake Library, 2727 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406. If you would like contactless pick-up, please call the library during open hours and request curbside service.

Download July recipes here. View additional information and previous recipes here. 

Thanks to Henry Patterson of Compassionate Action for Animals for facilitating the Vegan Recipe Club meetings!

Join Zoom Meeting: Vegan Recipe Club Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Meeting ID: 815 7424 7392 Passcode: 467109 Dial by your location:   +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)   +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

2023 Farmaste Work Day and Picnic: Hard work and good times!

May 31, 2023

On March 27, over 20 folks from CAA joined Farmaste staff and regular volunteers for a day of hard work and fun. To keep a farm sanctuary of this size running smoothly and its residents happy there is a lot that needs to be done. This weekend we helped with some regular tasks and special jobs that needed doing. Together, we unloaded and stacked 228 bales of straw, installed 15 fence posts, cleaned 2 barns, and cleared pathways!

With many hands the work went quickly and allowed for great conversations. And the occasional animal greeting helped keep us inspired. Afterwards we collapsed happy and tired for a fantastic picnic. Burgers and brats were supplied by CAA, with other dishes brought by participants.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we combined taking care of animals with essential self-care. Sanctuary volunteering gave us healthy exercise and community. One participant, Cari, put it this way: “It was a great way to stave off compassion fatigue and burnout.” At the same time, we helped provide an environment that supports the residents’ mental and physical health.

Farmaste Animal Sanctuary founder Kelly Tope told the gathered volunteers that farm sanctuaries do important work for their residents and to raise awareness, but don’t have capacity to care for even 1% of the animals currently slaughtered each year. Upcoming CAA outreach events are important, easy ways to share information about animal agriculture practices with other Minnesotans to help change our society as a whole! Video outreach reduces participants’ average meat consumption, and changes their attitudes towards meat and animal products. 

Saturday, June 10: CAA @ Explore West St Paul Days: Information | SignUp 

Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25: CAA @ Twin Cities Pride Festival: Information | SignUp 

Farmaste rescues abused, neglected, and unwanted farm animals and provides them with a safe sanctuary. Residents are respected as someone, not treated as something. Farmaste is located in Lindstrom, MN, less than an hour north of the Twin Cities, near Stacy and North Branch.

P.S. One of the participants, David Smith, took time after pitching in for work day to use his artistic talents to capture an image of Phoebe and the farm. He generously donated the painting to Farmaste and it will be featured in their November auction.

Get to know Taylor Borgman, CAA Volunteer

May 26, 2023

Taylor was searching for animal advocacy groups in Minnesota in 2015. Researching online, she discovered the Twin Cities Veg Fest and CAA.  Since then, she has attended CAA events and volunteered at several, including: 

  • CAA student group events at the University of MN
  • Twin Cities Veg Fest
  • The Vegan ThanksLiving Potluck
  • The Vegan Chili Cook-off
  • And currently, the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge

She loves how friendly and welcoming the CAA community is. Taylor also appreciates the shared passion for ending animal abuse and the slaughter of farmed animals. Attending local events makes it easy for her to connect with others and continue being a voice for animals.

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