Never hide - Recruit, Educate and Mentor

I'm hearing more and more of people who raise meat rabbits who will either not sell to strangers or will only meet people in a public location. They spend time to teach someone about raising rabbits and then end up being reported to the local authorities for animal abuse or for breaking an ordinance. Most of the general public is too disconnected from where food comes from. They are immersed in fantasy and are very susceptible to anthropomorphize and make animals human.  They will eat their chicken nuggets and be horrified if their neighbor butchers a chicken in their own backyard. I understand the fear and have seen the arbitrary punitive laws that many municipalities have adopted.

Hiding only makes it worse. It's time to stand up and be proud that you raise your own meat and don't rely on the factory farms for your family's protein.  We need to network with like minded people and stand up against the tyranny of the majority. We need to recruit and mentor others to be self sufficient.  Growing your own food on your own property is as natural of a right as breathing. Is it moral to pass a law that you are not allowed to breath? Then how is it moral to make law restricting growing food? Is it okay to fine someone, threaten to take their home and even put them in a cage for growing a crop in their front yard, and yet require growing a useless lawn with chemicals and huge volumes of water that all end up in the landfill? It is disturbing that anyone can give validity to such "law". We need to start standing up for each other and repudiate and ridicule these laws and anyone who would support, enforce or create them. If there is no damage to your neighbor, then it's not their business. 

Raising rabbits can be tricky for someone new to it. I've seen many people try fail, get discouraged and give up. It's a great sideline that meshes with gardening and even chickens. A little mentoring can go a long way to helping someone learn a new skill that can help keep their family healthy and prepared if times get hard. I've heard many people comment how their family survived the war because they raised rabbits. Even in the US, during World War II, there was meat rationing, so rabbit raising was popular. 

There has been a trend of people starting to demand zoning changes, so they can raise chickens. More people are interested in gardening and being independent and self-sufficient. Fear of GMO foods, herbicides, insecticides, industrialized food production, food additives and preservatives, are pushing more people to eat naturally. Interest in healthy eating is increasing.

Let's encourage this trend. Tell people you raise your own food. Share your rabbit sandwich. Bring your favorite rabbit dish to the company potluck. Grow more rabbits than you need and sell the excess for meat and breeding stock. Keep in touch with your customers and encourage them to call you when they have questions. Show people your rabbitry and what has worked for you. Encourage others to be open and share their rabbit raising skills.

Hiding only serves yourself in the short run and ultimately makes the situation worse. Take a risk and share, then stand up for each other.