Article: Washington State University “no longer houses mink on campus”

The above newspaper article ran this week after an anonymous group released a new fur farm list & guide to releasing furbearing animals from fur farms. In response to being included in the guide as a “target”, WSU responded that they no longer imprison mink. Or at least, according to the article, no longer house mink “on campus,” leaving open the possibility the research is done off campus.

Here’s what we know: As recently as 2010/2011, the Fur Commission USA gave funding to Washington State University. That is on

New Fur Farm Feed Supplier in Wisconsin

The Final Nail is reporting the discovery of a new fur farm feed supplier in Wisconsin:

LaBudde Group, Inc.
1239 12th Avenue
Grafton, WI 53024
Phone: (262) 375-9111
Fax: (262) 375-9058
Web: www.labudde.com
Contact: Richard T. Erickson
Notes: Fur farm feed supplier.

Addresses for over 100 wildlife farms revealed in Ohio

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating dozens of farms (or other type of operation) that imprison numerous species of furbearing animals in Ohio.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

Few Bucks Farm
Kevin Michael Dorgan

Possible bobcat and fox farms in Arkansas

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating several  farms (or other type of operation) that imprison foxes, wolves, and bobcats in Arkansas.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

This list only includes names and towns. No addresses were provided.

Lynn Culver
Mena AR
Bobcats
Eurasian Lynx
“Geoffroy’s cat”

Wayne Sluder
Roland AR
Bobcats

Tanya Smith
Eureka Springs AR
Bobcats

Thomas Young
Mena AR
Bobcats

Larry Head
Little Rock AR
Gray wolf

Susan LaCoe
Mountain Home AR
Grey black timber wolf

Brian Harness
Harrison AR
Silver fox

A dozen potential fox, bobcat, and coyote farms in Iowa

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating dozens of farms (or other type of operation) that imprison foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and mink in Iowa.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

The following addresses were obtained from the state of Iowa’s “game breeders list.”

Dale Olerich
3782 Dean Ave
Kiron IA
Bobcat

Stanley Hunting Center
Scott & Julie Stanley
415 E Main St
Lacona IA 50139
Bobcat

Lyndon Sutcliffe
21318 260th
Mason City IA
Coyotes, fox

Critter Haven Exotics
Troy & Judy Grant
4321 Heather Ave
Thornton IA
Fox

Chad’s Taxidermy
Chad Reusch
105 E Railway Ave
Quimby IA
Fox

Fayette CCB
Rod Marlatt
18673 Lane Rd
Fayette IA
Fox

Triple H Ranch
Manda Slessor
2665 Underwood Ave
Charles City IA
Fox

Randy Riggs
1613 160th St
Larchwood IA
Fox

Connolly Exotics
Dennis Connoly
1010 Perry Street
Knoxville IA
Fox

Jon Lockey
1526 P Ave
Traer IA
Fox

Fox Trail Studio
Lylee Funk
1831 25th St
Humeston IA
Fox

John Lemburg
2225 Canal Shore Dr
LeClaire IA
Mink

Location of significant fur farm supplier uncovered in Wisconsin

After reporting on this last year, The Final Nail has uncovered more information about what is believed to be the sole melatonin implant manufacturer in the country. This company is extremely significant in that it provides a product that it gives a significant edge to farms that use it. It is very likely that some farms would not survive if they did not have access to melatonin implants.

Neo-Dynamics
4738 Bergamot Way, Suite 200
Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: (800) 206-7227
Fax: (608) 831-4669
Contact: Tim J. Cairns
Notes: Manufacturer of melatonin implants (used by mink farmers to speed fur growth). Neo-Dynamics is a related company to Melatek, a manufacturer of melatonin implants for ferrets and dogs.

More new Wisconsin addresses needing investigation

Below are more addresses of farms imprisoning foxes, bobcats, lynx, coyotes, and “mustelidae” (a family that includes mink). These addresses are uninvestigated, and Coalition Against Fur Farms is looking for any information you can provide.

Note that none of the known mink farms are included on this list, indicating many or most of these are not raising animals for fur.

Farms with “mustelidae” (possibly mink)

Dozens of possible fur farm addresses in Kentucky

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating dozens of farms (or other type of operation) that imprison foxes, coyotes, and wild cottontail rabbits.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

Note: Each of these hold a “captive wildlife permit.”

George Hill
831 College Hill Rd
Waco KY
859 260 4488
Coyotes, red fox, grey fox

Beaver, coyote, and fox farm reported in Minnesota

Coalition Against Fur Farms has received a report about a small urine collection operation in Minnesota. According to the report, the farm imprisons fox, beaver, and coyotes in small wire cages. Dusty Hough’s Fur Shed is a trapping supply operation, and  the urine is sold as a trapping lure.

The cages are inside a building located at this address:

Dusty Hough’s Fur Shed
15432 90th Avenue South
Barnesville, MN 56514-9173
218-937-5628
Notes: fox, coyotes, beavers.

Two bobcat farm addresses in Wyoming

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating two farms (or other type of operation) that imprisons bobcats in Wyoming.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

Brett Jones
2602 W Cottonwood Creek Rd.
Thermopolis WY 82443
Bobcats
Notes: permit states facility has 6 bobcats.
Purpose is listed as “Pet, sell.” However permit also states the bobcats were captured from the wild.

Michael Goton
PO Box 132
Shell WY 82441
Bobcats
Notes: Permit states facility has “up to” 25 bobcats.
Bobcats have been obtained from breeders currently in posession.
Purpose listed as “breeding, sell.”

Utah State University Mink Research?

This one-time “hub” of Aleutian disease research may no longer experiment on mink.

As recently as 2004, USDA records indicate Utah State had 200 mink, presumably the research subjects of fur industry researcher LeGrande Ellis, who was (is?) studying a threat to fur farmers only eclipsed by animal rights activists: Aleutian disease.  Recent USDA reports do not list mink as among the animals killed at the school.

Here’s a quote about the work that was being done at USU:

“A vaccine is being developed against the disease by Utah State University that promises to eliminate these losses, which could save Utah mink producers $2.4 million.”

(USDA, 2003)

The small amount of information available on mink at U.S.U. specified that they were held at the “North Logan Farms” research station, a satellite research facility located about a mile north of the main campus.

If you have any solid information on whether fur industry research is still happening at Utah State University, please submit to Coalition Against Fur Farms.

Newly uncovered bobcat and coyote farms in New York

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating dozens of farms (or other type of operations) that imprison bobcats and coyotes in New York. It is unclear which if any of these farms raises these animals for fur.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

The following are list with the state of New York as holding “captive game permits”.  The list did not provide addresses.

Bobcats
Ludgar Zakshevky

New addresses: Possible bobcat and fox farms in Nebraska

The following address was obtained from public records, indicating a farm (or other type of operation) that imprisons foxes and / or bobcats in Nebraksa.

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

These addresses are from the state of Nebraska’s “captive wildlife permit holder” list. The list did not include names, only addresses.

77458 Rd. 461
Pleasanton NE
Notes: Bobcats

Po Box 68
Cody NE
Notes: Bobcats

203 Crook Ave
Curtis NE
Notes: Bobcats

110 Parker St
Cambridge NE
Notes: Bobcats & raccoons

88339 508th Ave
Oneil NE
Notes: Bobcats

20304 W Highway 31
Springfield NE
Notes: Fox

56644 Highway 98
Winside NE
Notes: Bobcats

New “Wildlife Farms Database” now live

We took notice of a new site that serves as a fitting compliment to Coalition Against Fur Farms: the Wildlife Farms Database, which compiles addresses of captive wildlife operations in all 50 states.

The site has a great rollover US map, allowing you to click on any state and see a list of wildlife farms in that state.

What are wildlife farms?

Here is a sampling of the types of operations listed on this site (from the Wildlife Farms Database mission statement):

• “Game” breeders
• Canned hunts
• Wild animals used for their flesh (i.e. deer held for “venison”)
• Urine collection / trapping lure operations
• Penning operations (animals used to train hunting dogs)
• Wildlife “exhibitors” (such as roadside zoos)

…..and many, many more.

The farms listed appear to run the range of species, including those that imprison frogs, pheasants, bobcats, quail, coyotes, groundhogs, squirrels, and literally hundreds of other species.

The site posts information obtained from public records, including the species held captive when available, and in some instances the exact number of animals.

Altogether, this is a very well-researched site that will be of interest to many readers of this one.

Check out the wildlife farms database.

New Wisconsin farm addresses: Confirmed to have mink and fox, need investigation

The following Wisconsin addresses were obtained by Coalition Against Fur Farms and need investigating. The below list represents farms / facilities confirmed to have either mink, foxes, or coyotes. However the numbers of animals held, and their purpose is unknown (though CAFF does not support the imprisonment of any animal for any reason).

These addresses were obtained from a list of captive wildlife permit holders in Wisconsin. None of the known fur farms in the state are on the list, indicating strongly that these addresses are not fur farms.

Many of the identifiable addresses on the list include facilities such as roadside zoos, and even places doing good for animals such as wildlife rehab operations.

We offer these addresses only because they are listed as having mink, fox, or coyote, and their purpose is a mystery. Please send any information about these addresses to Coalition Against Fur Farms.

Farm with mink:

PAUL PETTIS
29966 – 10TH AVE
CADOTT WI
Other species: WATERFOWL, WILD TURKEY, MINK, MUSKRAT, RACCOON, OTTER, BEAVER

Farms with foxes:

Washington State Fur Farm Reported Closed: Investigation Needed

The Blue Granite Fur Farm in Granite Falls (near Seattle) has been reported as closed. We are seeking confirmation on this. Please send any info to whistleblower [at] coalitionagainstfurfarms [dot] com.

Blue Granite Fur Farm

7715 Robe Menzel Road

Granite Falls, WA 98252

Phone: (360) 691-5026

Contact: Harold B. & Mary Craggs, Jeff & Allison Craggs

Notes: Mink farm. Located on east side of road. Farm reported closed (investigation needed).

New Mink Farm Under Construction in Ohio?

Coalition Against Fur Farms has received word that a new mink farm is being constructed near the Indiana border in Ohio. Our tipster stated the address for this upcoming farm is:

2707 Hoaglin Rd
Van wert, Ohio. 45891

The farm is said to be owned by a mink farmer from Holland, who owns several other farms. The word is he is paying a local farmer to set up and operate this farm.

A quick Google search for the address shows that it belongs to “Lion Farms”, also the owner of this nearby mink farm in Nottingham, Indiana. A corresponding satellite image search does not reveal any obvious mink sheds at the Ohio address. This raises two possibilities:

1. The operations are one and the same, with the Ohio address being a business address, and the animals held at the Indiana address (9555 S 250 E, Nottingham, Indiana).
2. These are two separate farms owned by Lion Farms LLC, with the Ohio address still being under construction (as indicated by our tipster).

Send any info to whistleblower [at] coalitionagainstfurfarms [dot] com.

New addresses: Dozens of possible fox and coyote farms in Indiana

The following addresses were obtained from public records, indicating dozens of farms (or other type of operations) that imprison foxes and coyotes in Indiana. It is unclear which if any of these farms raises these animals for fur.

Disclaimer

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

The following are listed with the state of Indiana as “licensed game breeders as of Oct 2012.”

Mary Wilferling
4803 East 900 North
Decatur IN
Red fox, raccoon

Out Now: The Blueprint Fur Farm List, 2013 Summer Update

Coalition Against Fur Farms presents The Blueprint, 2013 Summer Supplement. This new 17-page document compiles all fur industry intelligence compiled between 2010 and 2013. Among the new address included since the last update are:

• Over 60 new mink farm addresses
• Over 90 (possible) fox farm addresses
• Six new feed suppliers
• One new, major pelt processor.
• New leads on mink research labs

Also included is a new feature, offering a synopsis of all non-address related fur industry updates compiled since 2010.

Please distribute a link to this document widely.

Blueprint Fur Farm List: 2013 Summer Supplement by fur_industry_docs

New fur farm equipment supplier found in Utah

The Final Nail has posted a new fur farm equipment supplier in Utah:

MinkMod
1196 South Mill Road
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Phone: (801) 369-7692
Web: http://minkmod.com
Contact: Daniel Davis
Notes: Manufacturer of “carcass tumbler” and other processing equipment for mink farmers.

New mink farm discovered in Utah

Blue Star Ranch
2329 W 7300 S
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Phone: (801) 798-9631
Fax: (801) 465-9019
Contact: David Davis
Notes: Mink farm.

New fox farm discovered in Illinois

The Final Nail has posted a newly discovered fox farm in Illinois.

Tim & Kim Allaman
Southeast corner of Illinois State Route 164 and Illinois State Route 94
Rozetta, IL 61469
Notes: Fox farm.

Address for possible Texas fox farm

The following address was obtained from public records, indicating a farm (or other type of operation) that imprisons gray fox and raccoons.

Coalition Against Fur Farms has obtained hundreds of similar addresses from numerous states, each of which may be fur farms, which will be posted in the coming weeks. We will offer the same disclaimer each time:

• These addresses are uninvestigated.
• They house animals commonly used for fur, however an investigation is needed to determine the exact purpose of these operations.
• There are numerous other reasons furbearing animals can be held captive, including being bred for pets, roadside zoos, urine-collection operations for trapping lures, or penning operations to train hunting dogs.
• Some of these may be facilities which are helping animals. For example, wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries can often be required to have the same licenses as fur farms.

Please do your research, and share anything learned with Coalition Against Fur Farms.

The Texas address we obtained is:

Deborah Schwartzkopf
5003 48th Street
Lubbock TX
Notes: Grey fox + raccoons

Fur Industry “Communication Plan” Obtained by FinalNail.com

The online fur farm list Final Nail has obtained an internal fur industry document titled “A Communications Plan for the North American Fur Industry.” The document is based on a focus group that was aimed to determine public opinions about fur.

We will offer Final Nail’s synopsis of the document (its a big one, at 101 pages), as it summarizes the takeaways well:

More new addresses: Over 300 possible fur farms in Illinois

Coalition Against fur Farms has obtained a spreadsheet containing every “furbearning animal breeder” in the state of Illinois for the year 2012. This file contains 301 addresses, which are posted below.

Alternately, you can download the original Excel file (list also includes over 1,500 “game breeders” and other wildlife farms:

Illinois Wildlife Breeders 2012 (download entire file)

  What is the “furbearing animal breeder” list?

Unfortunately, the list does not denote the species held at each farm, which would help in determining what type of operation each of these are (note: Coalition Against Fur Farms does not support keeping any animal captive, but for the purpose of furthering our mission statement, we attempt to identify businesses that are specifically involved in the fur industry).

Here’s what we do know, from the Illinois Department of Natural Resourced (DNR):

“[A] Fur Bearing Animal Breeder [license] is required to possess, breed and/or sell the following species: Opossum, Raccoon, Mink, Red & Gray Fox, Beaver, Muskrat, Badger, River Otter and Weasels”

The most common animals raised for fur are mink and fox, which are included in the above list. So, in theory all mink and fox farms in the state are included here.

However it’s worth noting that a quick search through this list for all farms posted on FinalNail.com shows that only abou1/3 of them are included. Because the addresses on FinaNail can be expected to be (for the most part) current, it raises the question: Why aren’t all farms on this list?

The answer, very likely, is that many fur farms are simply operating illegally.

It is extremely unlikely there are over 300 fur farms operating in Illinois, and this list is likely to include a spectrum of businesses. We encourage anyone who lives near any of these addresses to drive by and tell us what you see. CAFF is very interested in knowing which of these are in fact fur farms.

Here’s the list (formatting imperfect because of the Excel source file):

Illinois Fur Farmer Dies, Farm Reported Closed

According to the fur trade publication Sandy Parker Reports, Charles K. Ide (Downers Grove, IL) died in October, and “…he pelted out in 1997 and retired.”

“Pelted out” refers to the killing every animal on a farm and shutting it down.

If you have any information that conflicts with this report, please send to whistleblower[at]coalitionagainstfurfarms[dot]com.

United Vaccines Facility Expands: View the Building Plans

The crucial fur farm vaccine supplier United Vaccines, based just ouside Madison WI (the US’s largest fur farming state), is undergoing an expansion.

We are posting below the paperwork filed with the city of Fitchburg, detailing the expansion and revealing some interesting information, such as:

1) The size and location of the proposed expansion.

2) The email address and cell phone number of the United Vaccines contact person.

3) The number of employees at this United Vaccines facility (there are reportedly two other UV locations near Madison): 39 presently, and 46 after the expansion.

United Vaccine Building Expansion

Idaho Couple May Lose Home Over Mink Farm

According to a story this week in the Idaho State Journal, a couple in Idaho may be forced to lose their home over the Ball Brothers mink farm.

“They moved in on us and they have more or less bankrupted us”.

In 2007, construction began on the farm, after the Ball brothers made plans to move their fur farm from Morgan, Utah to Malad, Idaho. The farm is estimated to imprison 20,000 mink.

Neighbors of the farm fought in court to block the construction of the farm, but ultimately lost. Now two of the neighbors – Bob and Bev Reudter – have had their hours devalued to the point they move lose the property.

The couple says that because of the smell of the mink farm, family no longer visits them and friends will not come over. The couple says they can’t cook outside because of the smell and number of flies.

“We have flies, not by the hundreds, but by the thousands,” Bev said. “You wake up in the morning and you have to kill flies. You start breakfast, you have to make sure the flies stay off of the breakfast. You leave even a cereal bowl down and it’s (quickly) full of flies.”

The Reudter’s gave this admonishment to anyone in a neighborhood where a fur farm might move in:

“We just want people to be aware that if they get news there is a mink farm going to go in, to fight, fight, fight, because it’s awful. It’s dropped our quality of life to almost nothing.”

This is the full article:

MALAD — When a mink farm sought to locate on property adjacent to Bob and Bev Reudter’s rural Malad home five years ago, they and several of their neighbors fought against it to no avail.

After nearly five years of living next to the mink farm, which Bev says has robbed the couple of any quality of life, the Reudters are also in a dire financial situation they currently see no escape from.

Science Journal Concludes Mink on Fur Farms Suffer

The reputed science journal Nature published a 2001 article on the suffering of fur farmed mink. The article concludes that mink kept in cages suffer from lack of access to water the same way they suffer from lack of access to other necessities, such as food.

Some quotes from the article:

“Our results indicate that fur-farmed mink are still motivated to perform the same activities as their wild counterparts, despite being bred in captivity for 70 generations”.

“…in the wild (mink) would patrol territories 1–4 km long, use several nest sites, and hunt by following scent trails, investigating burrows, and diving and swimming for aquatic prey.”

“The high level of stress experienced by mink denied access to the pool, rated as the most valuable resource, is evidenced by an increase in cortisol production indistinguishable from that caused by food deprivation. These results suggest that caging mink on fur farms does cause the animals frustration, mainly because they are prevented from swimming.”

Despite arguments that mink housed in fur farms have successfully adapted to captivity, these animals may suffer by being deprived of resources that exist in the wild.”

Frustrations of Fur-farmed Mink

Son of Utah Fur Farming Family Tells His Story

“But the unspeakable misery of their animals cannot be denied.”

The Beckstead family is one of the biggest fur farming families in Utah and Idaho. They are said to own two farms, one in each state.

One of the Beckstead clan does not support the bloody work of his family. In 2001, son Scott Beckstead published this damning indictment of his family and the fur farming business. The article was published in The Oregonian (the largest newspaper in Oregon),

The Oregonian
December 9, 2001

Misery on the Mink Farm

by Scott Beckstead

These cold, gray days stir vivid memories for me, childhood images I shall live with forever. Strongest among them are those of pelting season on Grandpa’s mink farm.