Jon Stewart recently purchased a farm in New Jersey with the intention of providing a sanctuary for farm animals rescued from cruelty.
The news comes just as the talk show host prepares for the end of his 16-year run on “The Daily Show.”
Stewart has never shied from controversy, especially when it comes to animal rights and environmental issues. He’s ripped apart climate change deniers and factory farms.
Stewart’s commitment to animal advocacy, particular relating to farm animals, comes as no surprise. Earlier this month, Stewart interviewed Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, in which Baur discussed his latest book, Living the Farm Sanctuary Life.
Then, of course, Stewart’s wife, Tracey, is also an avid supporter of farm animals’ rights. She discovered Farm Sanctuary after reading Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food, Baur’s 2008 account of the conception and evolution of the organization. The book inspired Tracey to reach out. Initially, it was to find stories for her own upcoming book Do Unto Animals, and her magazine, Moomah, but she soon found herself becoming more involved with supporting farm animals. She Farm Sanctuary’s annual Farm Animal Care Conference at their New York Shelter, and brought her children to meet the animals at their Southern California Shelter.
Prior to the Stewart’s new farm purchase, Tracey, a vegan, had gifted Adopt a Farm Animal sponsorships for all of their Thanksgiving guests. Regular visits to the farms are normal for the Stewart children “after homework,” notes Tracey.
“The joy of interacting with animals as friends instead of using them for human consumption is life-changing,” says Tracey in a press release. “A trip to Farm Sanctuary should be on everyone’s to-do list, but you can also bring a little bit of sanctuary home when you sponsor an animal through the Adopt a Farm Animal Program.”
Because of these reasons, the organization has named two rescued sheep Jon and Tracey in their honor. The Stewarts will be further recognized at a Gala on October 24 2015 in New York City.
Looks like Jon will have lots to do on the farm during his “retirement.”
Congrats, Jon and Tracey!
