Let me preface this by saying I personally believe that one of the largest issues pertaining to negative views of agriculture is lack of education.
I work as a farm supervisor for 17 contract farms, I am a liaison between a larger company that supplies the farms with the animals that they raise. My position is to ensure that the contract farmers are raising the animals in proper and humane ways. I also aid in management of the farm and do weekly checks of each facility to make sure no equipment needs to be fixed and or replaced and that the health of the animals is optimal.
With that being said I am not anti vegan or anti vegetarian. Several of my close friends are vegetarian or vegan and after becoming friends with me have gained insight on how the meat industry actually treats their animals. Through education many misconceptions are squashed and a better understanding of how things actually are lead to a lot of relief.
Last week I had a farm come under attack from their neighbors. The neighbors are contemplating filing a lawsuit against "air pollution and contamination" AKA it smells bad. The funny thing (to me is) that the neighbors were fully aware of the farm and knew prior that they would be living next to a farm. Sadly, many people view farms as an easy paycheck. People sue and claim damages that are completely outrageous when I can almost bet that if I opened their fridge there would be chicken, beef, pork or all of the above in it.
Here comes the kicker, prior to the farm becoming active it was checked and rechecked by local authorities to ensure that the facility was up to standard and is regularly monitored to maintain the standard. Even with that being done people still pressure and throw around complaints because they don't understand what goes on.
Instead of asking questions, or doing research so many people jump to conclusions of what they BELIEVE happens on farms. Yes, I will admit the system is not perfect, but that is why I have a job. I'm out there to ensure that those little cute animals are treated as well as I am (if not better). I realize in the end that they will be euthanized and processed into food, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated well. I am an animal lover, and a meat eater, that doesn't make me a bad person. At least I am out there trying to make their lives a little bit better.
All I can wish for is that the world slowly begins to realize that agriculture is not a big scary monster, and that through education people might view it for what it really is. Agriculture is what puts food in peoples mouths and clothing on their backs. Without farms, there would be nothing and we need farmers more then anything else in the world. Farmers are some of the most hardworking and caring individuals I have ever met in my life and I am lucky to be able to work alongside such wonderful people.