Farm Bureau says ‘no’ to false representation

(Photo courtesy of Virginia Farm Bureau)

It’s not every day that organizations stand up for their core beliefs. A lot of times, decisions are driven by margins and profits, not principles.

But the American Farm Bureau Federation, of which Virginia Farm Bureau is a state affiliate, recently made a decision to discontinue its Budget car and truck rental discount program. You see, Budget had hired actress Wendy Malick as a celebrity spokesperson. Ms. Malick is also a spokesperson for the Humane Society of the United States.

HSUS is an organization that, on the surface, seems interested in helping dogs and cats, but really works to eliminate animal agriculture, hunting, fishing, circuses, zoos and many other animal-related activities. Therefore, Farm Bureau is at odds with HSUS because of their differing missions.

When Budget began using Ms. Malick as a spokesperson, it put Farm Bureau in the difficult position of encouraging its members to engage in commerce with a company that also employs the spokesperson of Farm Bureau’s opponent on very sensitive animal agriculture issues.

So AFBF announced that it cannot support a company whose spokesperson stands behind an organization that wants to put farmers out of business.

I applaud AFBF for its decision. And I’m proud to be part of an organization that stands by its principles.