Cassandra Tucker has devoted her life’s work to studying and educating others about the welfare of production animals. But she wanted to do more to make the ideas she researched a reality for farm animals and their caretakers.
So, the University of California-Davis researcher, who is considered one of the world’s leading cattle welfare scientists, set out to create real change in cultivating on-farm compassion for animals. She partnered with her veterinarian colleague, Dr. Jen Walker, to form Kinder Ground. The non-profit organization funds grants for projects that support on-farm animal welfare or animal welfare education.
The Kinder Ground founders note that, while tremendous progress has been made in animal welfare research, “audits and certification had become common place, but progress in animal welfare had stalled and had encouraged a habit of compliance, not compassion. The supply chain was demanding better but often lacked the expertise or bandwidth to help make it happen. Farmers felt like they were being policed rather than partnered with.”
Kinder Ground takes a different approach, working with the farming community to promote animal welfare in a manner that is supportive, rather than punitive. They believe farmers deserve better partners, and the animals deserve lives worth living. Their mission: “Supporting the farming community to elevate the welfare of animals in food production.”
Examples of on-farm projects might include installing calf brushes, enlarging pen sizes, or implementing a locomotion scoring system. Kinder Ground also supports education projects that improve the understanding of animal welfare and the competence of caregivers to deliver it.
Each grant recipient must have “skin in the game,” in the form of cost sharing or committing time and energy to bringing the project to life. Spreading the principles of the specific project elsewhere on the farm or in the larger community is also encouraged.
Projects in the United States and Canada are eligible for Kinder Ground grants, and finalists will be asked to submit a letter of support from a trusted adviser, such as the herd’s veterinarian of record, nutritionist, or Extension agent. There is no specific farm size or number of animals required, but hobby farms, sanctuaries or farmsteads keeping animals for personal use are not eligible for funding.
The Kinder Ground application is intentionally straightforward, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. Grant applications are reviewed, with subsequent awards granted, twice per year. You can access the application here.
Kinder Ground is a U.S. federally registered, tax-exempt charity organization. All donations come with a 100% donation guarantee, which means your whole contribution goes toward helping farmers and animals. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Learn more about donating to Kinder Ground here.
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