American Humane Association Ramps up Hope for Heartland with Expanded Programs to Benefit Farm Animals, Rural Communities & Children Nationwide

Agricultural Policy Expert Luke Knowles Named Senior Adviser for American Humane Association Farm Programs

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Luke Knowles, former Special Assistant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an expert on the link between sustainable agriculture and rural development, has been named Senior Adviser to American Humane Association's Farm Animal Welfare Program. In this role, he will be advising the 135-year-old nonprofit organization on agricultural policy and the expansion of American Humane Association's growing array of programs addressing issues of health and well-being in rural America – especially as they impact the lives of animals, children, families and rural communities that feed our nation.

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"Luke is the right person at the right time for this important role," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. "As the global population soars and people rightly become more concerned about how their food is raised there are additional opportunities for America's farmers not only to feed the world's children and families, but to do it in a humane and sustainable way. We are committed to creating programs and initiatives that encourage and support responsible farmers, ranchers, and others, and lead to a safe and humanely raised food supply that benefits farm animals, rural communities, and children and families nationwide."

American Humane Association was founded nearly 150 years ago on issues central to rural America and reflective of core American values. Among the organization's first campaigns were successful efforts to improve care and treatment during the transportation of farm animals. American Humane Association's newest innovative initiative – Rural America Landscape: Healthy Children and Healthy Animals in our Nation's Heartland – has the ambitious and vital mission of addressing the core challenges facing rural communities under a unified banner of sustainable, smart, healthy, and humane food systems.

Knowles has the depth of knowledge and experience to make a substantial contribution to this effort. As Special Assistant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he developed and coordinated Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, a USDA initiative to support local and regional food systems. In this capacity, he managed a department-wide task force of USDA employees and engaged audiences in the USDA's work through a range of platforms. He is a leader in food systems issues, having presented at such prestigious gatherings as TedX Manhattan.

"American Humane Association is an organization with the reputation and capability to further a positive dialogue between agricultural producers and consumers," Knowles said. "The organization has recognized animal welfare as central to the sustainability of food and agriculture. I'm proud to work with them in improving life for children, animals, families, and rural communities all across America."

American Humane Association's animal welfare programs operate in all 50 states to protect and support animal actors, animal athletes, animal soldiers, animal first responders, companion animals, therapy animals, farm animals and others. The organization's American Humane Certified® program is the first, fastest-growing and most comprehensive third-party farm animal welfare audit program in the country. American Humane Certified standards were developed by an interdisciplinary team of stakeholders including veterinarians, animal welfare advocates, consumers, producers, and others and are reviewed frequently its Scientific Advisory Committee. The stringent, science-based guidelines are strictly monitored through numerous means to ensure compliance. In the past year alone the program has increased by more than one-third, currently helping to ensure humane treatment of more than 135 million farm animals.

About American Humane Association
Since 1877 American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

About the American Humane® Certified program
The American Humane Certified certification program is the United States' first animal welfare program dedicated to the humane treatment of farm animals. It is the fastest-growing independent animal welfare label program in the U.S. with certified producers representing more than 135 million farm animals through American Humane Association's science-based program. Contracted third-party auditors are rigorously trained in American Humane Certified species-specific standards. As consumers and retailers are increasingly concerned about how food is raised, producers are seeking independent verification for the marketplace. The American Humane Certified program works closely with its independent Scientific Advisory Committee, agricultural professionals and producers to ensure that advances in farm animal welfare and best practices are part of American Humane Association's certification standards.

SOURCE American Humane Association