原文：https://vegnews.com/2019/11/new-program-helps-struggling-chicken-farmers-convert-to-plant-based-crops

注：译文谨供参考。

NEW PROGRAM HELPS STRUGGLING CHICKEN FARMERS CONVERT TO PLANT-BASED CROPS

新计划帮助处境艰难的养鸡农场主转向植物性作物生产

Animal-rights group Mercy For Animals launched the “Transfarmation” Project to create a more compassionate farming system.

为了创建更慈悲的农场业系统（farming system），动物权利组织“怜悯动物”（Mercy For Animals）发起了“转场”项目（“Transfarmation” Project）。

by ANNA STAROSTINETSKAYA

作者：ANNA STAROSTINETSKAYA

NOVEMBER 12, 2019

2019年11月12日

Today, animal-rights group Mercy For Animals (MFA) announced the launch of the Transfarmation Project, an initiative that will help struggling chicken farmers exit the animal-agriculture industry. MFA developed the project to help chicken farmers, who often become indebted to large corporations under restrictive contracts.

今天，动物权利组织“怜悯动物”（MFA）宣布发起“转场项目”（Transfarmation Project），以帮助处境艰难的养鸡户退出动物农业产业。在限制性合同（restrictive contracts）的束缚下，养鸡农场主通常都对大型（禽肉）企业（合同另一方）负债累累；“怜悯动物”组织现在设立这个项目，正是为了帮助养鸡农场主摆脱这一困境。

“The plant-based food industry is expected to be worth $85 billion by 2030, and as a growing number of consumers opt for plant-based foods to improve their health, there is a real opportunity for farmers to meet that demand,” MFA President Leah Garcés said.

“据预计到2030年，植物性食品行业价值将达850亿美元。越来越多的消费者采纳植物性食品以改善个人的健康，为农场主们满足这种消费需求带来了实实在在的大好机会，”MFA总裁莉亚·加尔塞斯（Leah Garcés）说道。

“We aim to help farmers transition to growing hemp, mushrooms, hydroponic lettuce, and other crops—and even to producing solar and wind energy. We will bring together investors, engineers, farmers, business folks, policymakers, and advocates to design replicable models that will boost rural economies and build a more compassionate farming system.” 

“我们旨在帮助农场主们过渡到种植汉麻（hemp）、蘑菇、水培生菜及其他农作物──甚至生产太阳能和风能。我们将召集投资人、工程师、农场主、商界人士、决策者和倡导者，共同设计可复制的模式，以促进农村经济发展并构建更慈悲的农场业系统。”

Mike Weaver, a former contract chicken farmer for Pilgrim’s Pride, recently converted his chicken barns into a plant-based production facility, growing hemp for the burgeoning CBD industry. During his best year, Weaver was able to make $7,000 from chicken farming. When his hemp production is up to scale, Weaver expects to make approximately $2 million and employ four times as many people. 

迈克·韦弗（Mike Weaver）以前曾是Pilgrim's Pride公司的合同养鸡户，最近将其养鸡场改造成植物性生产基地，为迅速发展的CBD（大麻二酚）行业种植汉麻（原材料）。在过去效益最好的一年，韦弗的养鸡场也只挣到了7,000美元。当汉麻生产规模扩大后，韦弗预期收入将增至大约200万美元并扩招四倍的工作人员。

“Farmers in America are in bad shape,” Weaver said. “All of America needs to be concerned about what’s going on with family farms and in rural America. Big Ag has taken control of production, and they are driving the small family farmers out. Farmers are ready for a change, and initiatives like the Transfarmation Project can help.” 

“美国农场主现在的境况很糟糕，”韦弗说道。“美国上下都需要关心美国家庭农场和农村地区的目前发展情况。大型农业公司已经控制了生产领域，并不断挤压小型家庭农场主的生存空间。农场主们正在准备进行改革，像‘转场项目’这样的计划能够为他们伸出援手。”

While MFA works to help chicken farmers, vegan brand Miyoko’s Creamery is looking to transform the dairy industry. Last week, the brand—known for its vegan cheeses and butter—announced its intent to convert a California dairy farm into a research and development facility for its non-dairy products.

就在“怜悯动物”组织致力于帮助养鸡户的同时，纯素品牌公司Miyoko’s Creamery（美代子乳品坊）也在努力重塑乳制品行业。上星期，该纯素品牌公司──以生产销售纯素的奶酪和黄油而著称──宣布打算将加利福尼亚州的一家奶牛场改造成其无乳产品的研究和开发基地。