Lani Muelrath feeding pumpkin pie to the turkeys
If you are anywhere within a stone’s throw of Orland, California or Watkins Glen, New York on the weekend before Thanksgiving, then get your happy compassionate holiday hiney to the Farm Sanctuary Festival of the Turkeys.
This annual event fires on so many fun cylinders it’s hard to know where to start.
The video below tells the whole story.
Farm Sanctuary is the farm animal rescue started decades ago to stand as a voice for downed and abandoned farm animals.
Founded in 1986 as an advocate for farm animals, Farm Sanctuary promotes laws and policies that support animal welfare, animal protection and vegetarianism/veganism through rescue, education and advocacy.
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to turn the tables and celebration compassion for our the animals, our fellow sentient beings.
Lani Muelrath with Gene Baur, Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary
Here’s where you can find out more and sign up for this year’s celebrations:
Festival of the Turkeys, Orland, California, Saturday November 19 register HERE
This year’s speakers include:
- Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary
- Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, of Compassionate Cooks
- Leanne Cronquist, Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter director
- Victoria Moran named one of the Top 10 Vegetarian Authors by VegNews. Moran, a motivational speaker and holistic health counselor, has also appeared twice on “Oprah!” Victoria blogs for the Huffington Post and hosts the “Veg and the City” show on www.HealthyLife.net radio.
Farm Sanctuary Festival of the Turkeys Watkins Glen, New York, Sunday November 20 Register HERE
- Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary
- Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s national shelter director
- Seth Tibbott, founder and current president of Turtle Island Foods, home of the famous Tofurky. In 1980, after and 8 year career as a teacher/naturalist, Seth used his life savings of $2500 to start making tempeh products.
If you make it to the Orland celebration, you must promise to say hi! The setting is spectacular, the eats sublime, and then of course there’s the animals….
In the video above, you saw Colleen Patrick-Goudreau reciting her prayer for the animals, the words of which I included in the video. I’ve reprinted them here for you as well.
A Prayer for Humans on Behalf of Animals
My hope is that we can navigate through this world with the grace and integrity of those who need our protection.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau with Lani Muelrath at the Festival of the Turkeys, Orland, CA
May we have the gentleness and strength of the cattle, and the wisdom, humility, and serenity of the donkeys.
May we appreciate the need for community as do the sheep and choose our companions as carefully as do the rabbits.
May we have the faithfulness and commitment to family of the geese, the adaptability and affability of the ducks.
May we have the intelligence, loyalty, and affection of the pigs and the inquisitiveness, sensitivity, and playfulness of the turkeys.
My hope is that we learn from the animals what we need to become better people. ~Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Have you been to a Festival of the Turkeys before? Pop down to comments and tell us about it!
Lani Muelrath, M.A. is Vegan Mainstream’s new Health & Fitness Expert. Watch for regular articles from Lani on how to be a strong, healthy, fit vegan. Articles, videos, and more from Lani at www.lanimuelrath.com.
Lani is also “The Plant-Strong Fitness Expert” of www.lanimuelrath.com and creator of Fit Quickies™. She has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and over 30 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and trainer. She has received awards for her instruction, created and starred in her own CBS TV Show, and her expertise in the area of health and fitness is called upon by examiner.com, Dr. John McDougall’s Health and Medical Center and Dr. Neal Barnard’s 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program. She is Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition Certification through Cornell University.
