Orren with one of his chickens.

Thank you for doing this interview for me, Orren. You are one of the first people I followed on Twitter, and you’ve always stood out for your enthusiasm, and how young you are. I’m honored to have your interview on my blog!

1. Who are you? What do you do? How do you define yourself?
I am 12, very close to being 13! I go to school, play the guitar and take care of 24 chickens and 4 ducks. How do I define myself…..hmmm, not sure I know the answer to that. I know that sounds weird but I love basketball and sports stats, but I also spend a lot of time thinking about how most hens in the US are raised. I am ProFood.

2. How would you describe the way you eat, and the choices you make about food?
I am vegetarian and have been since I was 9. I chose to be vegetarian because in 5th grade we did a big research project in school. I chose chickens. During this time I did lots of research and discovered that most hens raised for meat or used to provide eggs were really treated poorly, by my standards. I didn’t think it was ok so I stopped supporting it by not eating it. My family followed.

3. How long have you been eating this way?
For almost 4 years.

4. Was there anything specific that made you decide to change your eating habits? You’re still very young. Do you think you’ll change your mind again when you’re older?
I continue to be a vegetarian because of what I learned in 5th grade. I do think there are some farmers out there who are raising their animals ethically so if I were to eat meat I would choose that. I have watched Food, Inc.
a lot and I learn something new each time. It makes me mad. So I keep doing research. Right now I am into worms, compost and food waste. We throw so much food out…it takes so much work to grow it, it is so valuable I can’t believe we just throw it out, so I am trying to learn how to reuse food waste >> compost !

5. Were you able to change all at once, or was there a transition period? What motivates you to stick with it? I did change all at once. Honestly it is not hard to stick with it. Once you have “met” a chicken and realize how interesting, smart, funny, bossy and social they are it is easy to decide not to want to eat them. Especially when most chicken you eat has been tortured. Abuse doesn’t have to be part of what we eat.

6. Did/does your family share your decision, or are they omnivores and junk-food eaters? How about your friends? Did you struggle to get people to understand why you were doing this, or did they support you from the start? Have you been able to “convert” anyone to your ideas? My family totally supports it. Well my brother still eats meat, but now only from places I think are ok. Farms where we know how the animal is raised and slaughtered. When I was in 5th grade it was a little bit easier, now as teenagers all my friends at school say “who cares”…”I don’t care what is in my food”. I actually think it interesting what kids bring to school for lunch.

7. Has your relationship with food changed your lifestyle in other areas?
Yes I think a lot about how our food is grown. The movies Food, Inc.
and FRESH really motivated me. I do have a fairly big garden with several kinds of tomatoes, arugula, fennel, bok choy and garlic. OH and tasty green beans. It is really interesting kids say “I hate tomatoes” then they taste a tomato from a garden not a tomato that was grown for its travel ability not its flavor, and many kids love them!

8. Do you think everyone should be eating the same way as you? Why or why not?
Oh it is up to them. As Food, Inc. says you get to vote 3 times a day. I am voting for humane treatment of animals by choosing being a vegetarian. That’s my vote.

9. What do you want people to know and think about, especially people your age?
Being happy. The Celtics. Here are 12 Things kids should learn about food.

You can learn more about Orren on his blog or tweet him @happychickens or @happyhoneybees