LINCOLN, NE — We Support Agriculture (WSA), a new organization formed by the joint efforts of animal agriculture organizations in Nebraska, was launched September 13, through presentations in Omaha, Lincoln and at Husker Harvest Days. The Nebraska Corn Growers Association supports this new organization and its mission, which, according to the WSA website is to “build a broad coalition of Nebraska individuals and organizations that will stand behind all Nebraska farmers” and to “promote the ongoing integrity and growth of Nebraska agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education and advocacy.”

We Support Agriculture was formed to defend the responsible animal welfare practices of Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers from attacks by outside animal extremists groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States, which has been making its presence known in Nebraska recently. “Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers are caring people who know how to care for their animals properly,” said WSA President, Pete McClymont who is the vice president of government affairs for the Nebraska Cattlemen. “This industry is worth protecting from attacks and misinformation by outside groups who want to radically change – or in some cases, eliminate – agriculture as we know it in Nebraska,” McClymont said.

We Support Agriculture is a distinctly different organization from the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN). While part of A-FAN’s goal is to educate and inform about animal agriculture and food production, their mission differs from WSA. The Nebraska Corn Growers Association supports the efforts of both A-FAN and WSA.