In the summer of 1981, Dr Alex Hershaft organized ‘Action For Life,' a national conference that launched the US animal rights movement.

Shortly thereafter, he gave up a successful career in environmental management and an affluent suburban lifestyle to devote his full attention to exposing and ending animal abuse and other destructive impacts of animal agriculture.

Later that year, Dr Hershaft founded FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement) which has become a major force in the struggle for vegetarianism and improved treatment of farm animals.

He launched World Farm Animals Day in 1983 and the Great American Meatout in 1985.

In addition to these annual campaigns, FARM also sponsors National Veal Ban Action, Letters From FARM, CHOICE (of plant-based meals in schools), and several other programs. FARM's nine national conferences turned hundreds of concerned Americans into animal rights activists.