Growing Grassroots in Iowa with Amy Luebbert

Amy Luebbert is the definition of a community powerhouse, and this week she joins us for a conversation about Des Moines, Iowa’s growing vegan scene and the importance of approaching activism through an antiracist lens. Amy, a founding member and the President of VegLife Des Moines, tells us about the nonprofit’s commitment to fostering community and connecting vegans—and the vegan-curious—to resources. She gives us an inside look into coordinating VegLife’s summer market series and how the organization screens vendors to ensure their work aligns with VegLife’s inclusive, anti-racist approach, as well as their sweet Halloween event designed to get vegan kids in on the fun! We also discuss how activists can continue the important antiracist work pioneered by the erstwhile organization, Encompass.  Last, but certainly not least, Amy tells us how she’s making her dream of opening a liberated vegan sex shop a reality.

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Amy Luebbert.*

Amy Luebbert (she/her) is a queer, vegan, antiracist activist in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2017, Amy founded VegLife Des Moines, a nonprofit with a mission to connect and grow the local community around veganism and anti-oppression. She is currently working towards opening a liberated sex shop because all bodies deserve pleasure, acceptance, comfort, and joy. In her downtime, you can find Amy snuggling cats, dancing, or cooking!

“All of us have a role to play in breaking down systems of oppression.” – Amy Luebbert

Highlights for Episode 662: 

• Why Amy believes the general population is ignoring animal rights
• Why it’s so important to create safe spaces for people of color within the animal rights community
• How Amy envisions the animal rights movement continuing to chip away at white supremacy through training, education, and  relationship building
• Why VegLife Des Moines is all about connecting folks and creating a community interested in veganism and anti-oppression work
• How VegLife organizes events such as vegan Halloween 
• Why Amy carefully vets and sometimes rejects vendors who don’t align with VegLife Des Moines’ values 
• Amy’s vision of a post-animal agriculture Iowa
• How Amy cares for her own mental health while working in the animal advocacy space
• How to create vegan spaces wherever you live
• Why Amy is so excited to start a vegan sex shop and whom she’s hoping to cater to
• Amy shares her view of the  environmental impact of climate change in Iowa

Resources:

• McDonald’s Ireland ‘Delighted’ With McPlant Demand, So Why Are US Sales Dwindling?
• Encompass Movement Resources
• Apex Advocacy
• Miyoko’s Creamery is offering our listeners 15% off!

Connect with Amy Luebbert:

• VegLife Des Moines Website
•  VegLife Des Moines on Facebook
• VegLife Des Moines on Instagram
• amy@veglifedesmoines.org

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

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Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.

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Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

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This episode is brought to you in part by Miyoko’s Creamery. From their humble beginnings with 4 employees in Miyoko’s home kitchen, to a 30,000 sq ft. state-of-the-art facility in Sonoma, Miyoko’s Creamery is leading the way in transforming the future of the creamery. Miyoko’s Creamery is changing perceptions of vegan food, to inspire people from all walks of life to enjoy a phenomenally vegan lifestyle and right now our listeners can get 15% off by visiting their website and checking out with code HENHOUSE15.

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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.