Protecting Farmers: Laws Against Deceptive Employment by Activists
Farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to provide safe, sustainable food for Americans. Unfortunately, radical animal rights activists have increasingly targeted livestock operations by gaining employment under false pretenses. These activists infiltrate farms, stage or manipulate footage, and then release misleading videos to falsely discredit hardworking agricultural producers. In response, several states have enacted laws that make it illegal to gain employment in livestock production with the intent to harm or defame farmers. These laws are essential in protecting property rights, biosecurity, and the integrity of American agriculture.
States That Have Taken Action to Protect Farmers
Several states have passed legislation preventing deceptive employment practices by anti-animal agriculture activists to ensure that livestock producers are shielded from harmful misinformation campaigns. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Utah, Wyoming, and more have passed laws to protect farmers and ranchers.
Anti-Animal Agriculture Groups and Their Many Lawsuits
Despite the clear need for these laws, radical activist groups have aggressively challenged them in court.
Over the years, anti-animal agriculture activist groups like the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS – now called Humane World for Animals) Center for Food Safety, Farm Sanctuary, Farm Forward, Western Watersheds Project, Mercy For Animals, and more have been listed on court documents as plaintiffs in state courts across the country. Their lawsuits have aimed to overturn the protections by claiming that restricting deceptive employment violates free speech.
In February 2025, Husch Blackwell published a comprehensive report titled, “A State-By-State Guide to ‘Ag -Gag’ Legislation”, we have included it under the links section for those interested in learning more about the details of these laws and subsequent lawsuits filed by anti-animal agriculture groups.
Most Significant Recent Ruling in Iowa – A Major Win for Animal Agriculture
One of the most significant recent rulings occurred in Iowa, where Chief U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose upheld the state's law barring trespassers from using cameras or recording devices to investigate livestock facilities. The court recognized that the law serves a legitimate purpose in protecting farmers’ property rights and privacy while still allowing legal advocacy. The ruling was a major win for agriculture, reinforcing that deception and trespassing have no place in the industry. Activist groups, however, are considering an appeal, continuing their relentless efforts to undermine lawful livestock operations.
Why These Laws Are Essential
These legislative measures are not about hiding wrongdoing, they are about ensuring fairness, truth, and property rights. Activist groups that use deception to infiltrate farms are not interested in honest oversight or animal welfare; their goal is to misrepresent and vilify farmers to push an anti-meat ideology and agenda.
These laws protect:
✔ Farmers’ Rights – Agricultural producers should not be subject to fraudulent employment and manipulated attacks.
✔ Biosecurity – Unauthorized individuals or individuals with harmful motives can introduce diseases that threaten livestock and food safety.
✔ Fair Representation – Farmers should not be subjected to deceptive campaigns designed to mislead the public.
We Must Keep Standing Up for Agriculture
Activist groups are committed to implementing their ideological agenda and, therefore, remain committed to overturning protections for farmers and ranchers. It is critical for farmers, legislators, and the agricultural community to continue standing up against deceptive employment practices that threaten the integrity of American agriculture. Protecting farmers from fraud and defamation is not just about agriculture—it’s about defending truth, fairness, and the livelihoods of those who feed the nation.
Links:
MeatingPlace article about Iowa Decision HERE
Reuters article HERE
Capital Press article regarding 9th Circuit and Idaho law HERE
Download State by State Guide by Husch Blackwell HERE