20 24 IMPACT REPORT
A Letter from Gene
We live in unsettling times, with concerns about the economy and our future as we face climate change, erratic weather, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems. Many of the threats we face impact personal and planetary health—and are inextricably linked to our destructive, resource-intensive, animalbased food system.
Farm Sanctuary, as always, remains focused on our mission of ending animal agriculture and promoting compassionate vegan living. We continue rescuing animals from slaughter, educating the public about the consequences of their food choices, and advocating for systemic reforms that will benefit animals, people, and the planet.
As an animal-centered organization working across movements, we are pursuing a holistic approach and partnering with diverse allies. This is reflected in our impact report, and we’ll expand our outreach and collaborations this year. We will also develop new opportunities and resources for friends and activists who want to help make a difference. Finally, we will continue improving sustainability practices at our farms and taking additional steps to “walk the talk” and model plant-based agriculture with a garden and vegan cafe at our New York location.
As we continue in 2025, a convergence of issues and threats linked to our animalbased food system makes Farm Sanctuary’s work more critical than ever. We will continue combatting cruelty and advancing policies and practices that benefit us all, and we are immensely grateful to our caring supporters who make it all possible.
With gratitude,
Gene Baur
Mission Statement
OUR MISSION
We pursue bold solutions to end animal agriculture and foster just and compassionate vegan living.
OUR VALUES
Freedom, Compassion, Transformation, Integrity, and Understanding.
OUR VISION
A world where sanctuary replaces exploitation.
At Farm Sanctuary, we fight the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, people, and the planet. We are working to shift resources from factory farming toward a just and sustainable plant-based food system that serves the common good. We meet people where they are on their own journeys and collaborate across movements and diverse communities to foster understanding.
RESCUE & SANCTUARY: Changing Lives
EDUCATION: Changing Hearts & Minds
ADVOCACY: Changing Systems
A Letter from Our Chief Financial Officer
In these uncertain times, your steadfast support of Farm Sanctuary is more important than ever. Individual donors provide 86% of our annual funding, and your generosity enables Farm Sanctuary to pursue our mission to rescue, educate, and advocate.
In 2024, we improved internal processes and saw a modest decrease in expenses and an increase in revenue. We expect this positive trend to continue in 2025 as we strengthen the organization’s financial stability and resilience and refine our internal operations.
In 2024, we invested in programs to yield immediate and long-term results, including a plant-based cafe and education center at our New York sanctuary. In 2025, we will continue to invest in our educational and advocacy programs on the farms and beyond.
We are continuously improving internal operations by enhancing our ability to communicate and engage with supporters more effectively. We are focused on enhancing functional efficiencies on-site at our sanctuaries and investing in infrastructure. We acquired essential vehicles, upgraded our mechanic shop to facilitate in-house repairs, and built a storage structure at our New York site to save time and improve accessibility to sand for icy roads during inclement weather. We also continue ongoing
maintenance and upkeep of equipment, buildings, fences, and other facilities, and we are investing in needed improvements to underutilized assets. In Los Angeles, we completed the renovation of an on-site house, which will be primarily used for visiting staff, board meetings, and advocacy efforts.
We are committed to providing lifelong care to our residents, many of whom are aging, which has placed increased demands on our staff and resources. We remain fully committed to providing the best care while maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability.
Thank you again for your unwavering commitment to advancing our mission. Together, we are creating a more compassionate world.
Kathleen Baumann Chief Financial Officer
Kathleen at home with rescued donkey, Jack
MILBANK STEER
Many of the threats we face impact personal and planetary health—and are inextricably linked to our destructive, resourceintensive, animal-based food system.”
Gene Baur
Cultivating Sustainability
As an organization pursuing bold solutions to end animal agriculture and foster compassionate vegan living, Farm Sanctuary is committed to ecological sustainability. We are implementing environmentally sound practices at our sanctuaries and operations, and we plan to expand these efforts in 2025.
Our staff-led Sustainability Committee facilitates our initiatives to reduce waste, support ecosystems, and improve energy efficiency. Among these efforts:
IMPROVING LAND HEALTH
We are rotating pastures and planting to improve the health of our land and soil. We reseeded 80 acres of pastures, prioritizing cool-season and native grasses to build a sustainable ecosystem best equipped to withstand the effects of climate change. For the second year, we grew some of our hay as part of our commitment to responsible land stewardship, using practices that align with our mission.
PROTECTING WILDLIFE
We reduced the number of acres mowed at our New York sanctuary to provide space and habitats for native species and pollinators. The new on-site produce garden we created is now certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, and we plan to pursue other certifications.
ZERO-WASTE CAFE
At our on-site plant-based cafe and learning center in New York, we strive to produce zero food waste by training staff and volunteers in zero-waste practices, utilizing fresh-grown produce from our garden, and recovering unused produce to feed the animals. We are also establishing local connections to begin composting industrial products.
≥ By protecting our planet… we are walking the walk as we fight the environmental harms of animal agriculture and advocate for a more sustainable future.
Produce garden at Farm Sanctuary NY
Sanctuary by the Numbers
OUR STORIES REACHED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN:
Farm Sanctuary is changing hearts, minds, and systems Our three pillars of rescue, education, and advocacy acknowledge the importance of a holistic approach to ending animal agriculture. Along with lessening the harms of factory farming, we are focused on creating a compassionate food system that works for everyone: animals, people, and the planet.
With the generosity and support of our dedicated community, we are uniquely positioned to provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals at our New York and California sanctuaries while educating people around the world about the profound impacts of agriculture and advocating for a more just and sustainable plant-based food system.
From our sanctuaries to Capitol Hill, in classrooms, and on social media, we are an animal-centered organization working across movements to create lasting and meaningful change.
2,000 hours
39,000 + members across the country
6,100 people toured our sanctuaries
71M overall social media views
1.7M social media followers
“The Food System Shift Roadmap gets down to the granular level on policies, which provides real opportunities for action (vs focusing on the big overarching policies, like the Farm Bill, which don’t have a clear path to change). Many of the policies identified also have clear avenues for bi-partisan support focusing on health and economics. This speaks to the process of taking the time to get a variety of input, and it helps make the roadmap distinct and complementary to other food policy roadmaps, and briefs.”
— Center for Biological Diversity
“Farm Sanctuary's transformative investment and collaboration have helped GRRO grow. From seeding the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute to monthly meetings that have helped our team define and frame our unique strengths, GRRO has become a leading food and health services provider since our pilot partnership was established. As we scale our innovative model across the state and find new ways to replicate our work across rural America, Farm Sanctuary's team will continue to be valued, high-impact partners.”
— Henry Crews, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization
Media & Outreach
Farm Sanctuary’s stories— and, most importantly, farmed animals’ stories—reached hundreds of millions through earned media and engaging outreach.
BLIPPI & MEEKAH SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON SANCTUARY
The stars of mega-popular educational videos, Blippi and Meekah, filmed two episodes at Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles, which were viewed nearly half a million times.
While many children’s shows discuss these species only as animals raised for food, Blippi and Meekah joined us in promoting the idea that farm animals deserve love and care. President & Cofounder Gene Baur, Senior Wellness Manager Brooke Marshall, and several of our inspiring rescued animal residents were featured.
BIRD FLU: SOUNDING THE ALARM
Exacerbated by irresponsible agricultural practices, bird flu spread to cows, humans, and other species. Farm Sanctuary was among the first to connect the dots, reaching hundreds of millions through mainstream publications with op-eds warning of the dangers of factory farming.
BACK TO OUR ROOTS WITH THE GRATEFUL DEAD
For four days this summer, Farm Sanctuary had an outreach table reaching thousands of Dead & Co. concertgoers at Participation Row at the Sphere in Las Vegas, inspiring hundreds to take action against factory farming.
Our ties to the Grateful Dead date back to the 1980s, when we sold vegan hot dogs from our VW van outside of Dead shows. In 2015, we succeeded in getting veggie dogs sold inside Soldier Field for the band’s 50th-anniversary shows, and Gene Baur interviewed founding Grateful Dead member Bob Weir (who is now vegan) for our 35th anniversary in 2021. As Farm Sanctuary approaches our 40th anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to see where this collaboration takes us next.
≥ Reaching an ever-expanding audience… is making the lives of farmed animals visible to millions around the world.
RESCUE CHANGING LIVES
200+
ANIMALS RESCUED, placed, or referred to homes in our network
534 ANIMALS in our care
1,083 INQUIRIES RESPONDED TO, representing 6,900+ animals in need
32,400+ MILES TRAVELED to rescue or transport animals
2nd YEAR baling hay on-site, cutting feed budget by ~$16K
Rescue brings individuals from suffering to sanctuary.
At our New York and California locations, we care for hundreds of animals freed from slaughter.
OLIVE,
A MOTHER COW DETERMINED TO BE FREE
Olive escaped a New York dairy farm, fleeing into the woods. When locals told us she had likely given birth, the search grew critical. Sadly, we found Olive’s calf unable to stand, and Cornell veterinarians made the hard but compassionate decision to euthanize him due to untreatable musculoskeletal and joint abnormalities. In the dairy industry, Olive would have faced the loss of one calf after another so that their milk could be taken and sold for profit.
But we were determined that her heartache ended right there. She remained terrified of humans for weeks but slowly summoned the courage to stay in our pen long enough to be
secured and brought to Farm Sanctuary. Here, Olive is learning that humans can mean kindness and care.
COLLABORATING ACROSS SANCTUARIES SAVES LIVES
We can’t rescue the billions of animals who need help, but working with like-minded organizations allows us to help more.
We offered Viva Rescue a grant to help neglected chickens on a California backyard farm. The birds likely faced death despite environmental contamination that prevented their slaughter for meat. After providing health checks, Viva found homes for many chickens—and we welcomed 10 to Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles! Another went to a home within our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN), comprised of trusted sanctuaries and homes.
≥ The individuals we save… are ambassadors for the billions of other animals still suffering in our food system, and their stories are educating millions of people and inspiring compassion.
OLIVE COW
We meet people where they are on their own journeys and collaborate across movements and diverse communities to foster understanding.
Isabella, caregiver medicating sheep
EDUCATION
CHANGING HEARTS & MINDS
68,000
STUDENTS REACHED in 32 U.S. states and Australia, Canada, Ireland, and Mexico
9 WEBINARS HOSTED, each attended by 1,600 students on average
18 SANCTUARY SPACES OPTIMIZED with enrichment ideal for chickens’ and turkeys’ natural behaviors
Through accessible humane education, Farm Sanctuary raises awareness of animal agriculture’s harms, the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, and the need to build a better food system. Learning goes beyond the classroom, and we expanded our educational programs on the farm and beyond.
OUR FIRST PUBLISHED PEER-REVIEWED STUDY
Farm Sanctuary’s “Pecking Up Optimism” study was published open-access in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. This compassionate farmed animal research ties learning to increased optimism in chickens, and it makes a new understanding of chicken emotion widely available to the scientific community, animal advocates, and the public.
FARM SANCTUARY’S CAFE, GARDEN, & LEARNING CENTER
In 2024, we opened a plant-based cafe at our New York sanctuary, serving visitors, volunteers, and staff delicious vegan meals. It is part of our broader work to set an example and educate people on the benefits of vegan food and sustainable plant-based farming.
We established a garden on our grounds to grow fresh produce and supplement the crops we purchase from local farmers. It was used to host a children’s gardening event and will play a vital role in our expanded educational programming, including gardening classes. Our staff-led Sustainability Committee has also achieved certification for our new pollinator garden as a wildlife habitat.
NEW RESOURCES FOR GIRL SCOUTS
Farm Sanctuary partnered with Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways on an initiative to nurture compassion for all animals and help Scouts nationwide achieve their goals. We developed two free virtual presentations, available to all Girl Scouts, that fulfill the requirements for the “Animal Helper” and “Voice for Animals” badges.
Alice Scarpati, Coordinator, Experience
We also welcomed Girl Scouts to our New York sanctuary for a special guided tour, teaching them about farmed animals and how choosing plant-based eating can protect them.
≥ Spreading knowledge and raising awareness… is a vital part of bringing about compassionate change, inspiring kinder choices, and empowering young minds.
ADVOCACY CHANGING SYSTEMS
Our work extends beyond our sanctuaries to fight the structural harms of animal agriculture and to build food systems that work for all of us: animals, people, and the planet. In 2024, we:
• Shifted USDA policy to prioritize plant-based foods in the updated school nutrition standards—increasing more than 30 million students’ access to fruits, vegetables, and legumes following Farm Sanctuary and the Healthy Future Students and Earth Coalition’s successful advocacy efforts.
• Shifted 1.4 million meals in rural North Carolina, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and serving underrepresented communities suffering from diet-related diseases. This work engaged more than 200 farmers, creating opportunities to transition to plant-based food production.
1.4 Million Meals in Perspective
Shifting 1.4 million meals saves 4.382 million lbs (2191 tons) of CO2/e.
2191 (US) tons of CO2 = Approximately $405,000 emissions reduced/year
• Developed a cross-movement roadmap toward plant-based solutions. Informed by more than 2,500 farmer, worker, environment, health, and animal organizations as well as 150 Congressional offices, our Food System Shift Roadmap, copublished with the Center for Biological Diversity, provides an evidence-based plan to shift support away from factory farms.
• Fought the next wave of factory farming: Aquaculture. We became the first national co-sponsor of George Washington University School of Law’s World Aquatic Animal Day. Later, Farm Sanctuary and coalition allies successfully supported a California octopus farming ban.
≥ By building on these successes… we can fight back against the factory farming status quo and build food systems that work for everyone.
Looking Ahead: Bold Solutions
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF FARM SANCTUARY
In 2026, we will mark four decades since Farm Sanctuary’s founding as the nation’s premier sanctuary and advocacy organization dedicated to farmed animals, with a 40thanniversary book and events on-site and beyond.
THE BOLD CHOICE FUND
Through the Bold Choice Fund, our powerful initiative launched in 2024 thanks to founding members Dr. Martin D. Madaus and Susan Madaus, we aim to reach and engage millions of people with our educational programs by 2027.
SHIFT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL FOOD POLICY USING PLANT-BASED SOLUTIONS
2025 is a critical year for U.S. agriculture. Farm Sanctuaryled bills target over $100 billion in Farm Bill spending, and we’re building on our 2024 Roadmap to support plant-based solutions in schools, hospitals, and communities across the country. As part of the New York State Good Food Purchasing Program coalition, we will continue to support the Good Food NY bill, making it easier for schools to purchase foods that benefit animals, people, and the planet.
SHIFT 3 MILLION MEALS TO PLANT-BASED, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS THROUGH COMMUNITYDRIVEN INITIATIVES
In 2024, Farm Sanctuary supported the shift of 1.4 million meals. With your help, we hope to double this impact this year and launch our Community Action Networks (CANs) in more than 20 states.
Jodean and her mom, Grace
