Orlando, California - Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, invites animal enthusiasts to its May 3 Country Hoe Down at the California Shelter. One of the non-profit’s largest and most anticipated annual events, the Hoe Down boasts hayrides, meet and greet time with hundreds of rescued farm animals, inspiring presentations, down-home vegan cooking, a boot-stompin’ barn dance (led by celebrated Chico band, the Pub Scouts) and, of course, plenty of breathtaking scenery and fresh country air.

This year’s Hoe Down features all the activities attendees have come to know and love through the years, as well as new additions like yoga, a silent auction, where guests can bid on farm animal-themed art; a vegan cooking demonstration; and a visit from the Truth Behind Factory Farming Video Tour — Farm Sanctuary’s newest educational tool — a truck outfitted with three 80-inch video screens that will travel California through the summer to inform the public about broad animal protection and the environmental and public health concerns created by industrialized farming.

“Our speaker line-up is also one of the largest in years,” said Farm Sanctuary Education Director Matthew Rice. “We are placing an emphasis on advocacy and what Californians can do to make a difference as we gear up to vote in November on the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act — legislation that, if passed into law, will eliminate veal crates for calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and gestation crates for breeding sows in the state.”

An impressive line-up of Hoe Down presenters includes: Farm Sanctuary Co-founder and President Gene Baur, whose new book “Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Food” just made the Los Angeles Times Bestsellers list; Compassionate Cooks Founder and “The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks’ Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets” Author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau; activist and author of “Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism,” Mark Hawthorne; Director of Ballot Initiative Campaigns for The Humane Society of the United States, Jennifer Hillman; and Farm Sanctuary Director of Campaigns Julie Janovsky.

Complimentary rustic camping for Saturday night is available to event registrants on the shelter premises (at 19080 Newville Rd., Orland, Calif.) and a vegan continental breakfast will be served the morning of May 4. Free guided tours of the 300-acre farm animal shelter will also be offered to event participants on Sunday, every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Event registration costs $35 per person and includes the catered Saturday night dinner, as well as barn dance snacks and refreshments. Reservations can be made and more information can be found by calling 607-583-2225 ext. 221 or visiting farmsanctuary.org.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at http://www.farmsanctuary.org/ or by calling 607-583-2225.