Picking Up The Torch
On Friday, October 11, 2024, the board of directors for Protect The Harvest announced that it would dissolve.
Protect The Harvest was founded by Forrest Lucas in 2011. For over a decade, it has been one of the few organizations holding the line and opposing the activities and agenda of politically powerful animal rights and environmental extremist groups.
A successful entrepreneur and livestock producer, Forrest Lucas was known for identifying dedicated and talented people. He was also a great leader, communicating his vision and instilling his work ethic in his teams.
During his time as Executive Director, Protect The Harvest functioned as an educational organization, providing critical information to the public and as a strong and active advocacy group. Together with Forrest, the team at Protect The Harvest tackled critical initiatives.
The accomplishments were many and ranged from achieving pardons for Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond to participating in lawsuits and legal actions protecting the rights of farmers, ranchers, and animal owners to producing events, documentaries, and films that both supported ranchers in the American West and told the stories of threats to agriculture and animal ownership. When Forrest Lucas stepped down as Executive Director in 2020 and Protect The Harvest changed its focus to primarily education and information, Western Justice was formed to continue with successful advocacy work.
Producers and animal owners need to understand that the current Western Justice team is the same group of people Forrest Lucas assembled and led who achieved so much at Protect The Harvest.
“Passing the torch” often means giving responsibility and leadership to the next person in line or generation. It is the act of instilling values and a sense of urgency and creating an environment where a legacy can live on.
That legacy is the work of Forrest Lucas, who, through Protect The Harvest, aimed to ensure agricultural and property rights in America would be defended and protected and not become a distant memory.
Now, as Western Justice, the team Forrest initially assembled continues to work today to protect and preserve our way of life.
We want to assure supporters this is not the end of an era; it is the simple process of passing a torch we willingly picked up in 2020 and will continue to carry.
We appreciate your support,
Dave Duquette and the entire Western Justice team
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