Pigs deserve treats,
not terror
We're on a mission to help Maine's Agricultural Fairs phase out pig scrambles, a decision that reflects a growing trend of better farming practices and an increased awareness of animal welfare among fair-goers.
At the heart of every pig scramble lies a profound and often overlooked cruelty. These events subject the animals to intense psychological stress and physical harm, creating an environment where baby pigs are terrorized and children are rewarded for abusive behavior. It's not exposing kids to real farm-life; true farmers use stress-minimizing handling techniques to care for their animals and keep them happy & healthy, like the use of chutes. Pig scrambles, calf scrambles, rodeos, roping..... have one thing in common - a pattern of abuse and unjustifiable violence.
Traditions can and do evolve. Removing pig scrambles from Fair rosters helps ensure the Agricultural Community can continue the spirit of farming & country life for years to come.
No more controversy. Just good Fair fun that's fair for everyone.
Same arena . . . . better game
The Watermelon Initiative promotes . . . . well . . . . watermelons!
Instead of live pigs tortured in pig scrambles, greased watermelon obstacle relays highlight teamwork, physical skill, brute strength, perseverance, and strategic thinking, with all age groups able to participate, singles or teams, and most importantly, it has all the fun & hype without harming baby animals.
Describe one of your services
Source: Journal & Courier
2
U.S. STATES already BAN pig scrambles altogether.
thank you MINNESOTA & RHODE ISLAND
24
Agricultural Fairs in MAINE
still hold pig scrambles every year.
1
MAINE Fair bans all
animal-chasing events
thank you MOFGA's COMMON GROUND COUNTRY FAIR
Are you a
Fair Organizer looking to replace your pig scramble?
Mini Grants are available!!!
Agricultural Fairs who are willing to discontinue their pig scramble and replace it with a watermelon obstacle course are eligible to receive a free obstacle course design based on their venue, as well as a free equipment starter kit that can be re-used year after year.
2022 Campaign
Readfield Heritage Days
In 2022, the Town of Readfield, Maine decided to add a scramble to the roster of events at the annual Heritage Day's Celebration. In just the 4 days leading up to the event, newspapers/media were alerted, local animal welfare groups alerted, a Change.org petition started, letters to the editor written, and an on-site protest at the event itself, pressured the Town to discontinue pig scrambles for future Heritage Days events. The scramble that did take place was particularly brutal for the pigs. The Town Manager acknowledged he would not be promoting the event in the future, and the Town's Select Board took it upon themselves to draft a Pig Scramble Resolution, admitting the numerous complaints about the event, and acknowledging there were many alternative events that could be used to promote local agriculture that did not involve the use of live animals that could be perceived as being harmed. 4 years later, Readfield Heritage Days is still Pig-Scramble free!
When looking for viable alternatives to suggest to Readfield, we stumbled upon greased watermelon obstacle courses, having successfully replaced a pig scramble at the Sonoma County Fair in California. And so The Watermelon Initiative was born - encouraging all of Maine's Fairs to put an end to pig scrambles and adopt humane activities instead.
A Cruel Tradition....
With no enforced oversight at pig scrambles, abuse runs rampant. The Person in charge of the event is legally responsible for the animal "being well cared for, before, during, and after the event". However, no such guidelines exist, theoretically falling back to Maine's Animal Cruelty Laws, but Maine's Animal Welfare staff does not supervise scrambles. This abuse has gone unchecked for decades. There is no follow-up for the animals wellbeing "after" the event - some pigs go to inexperienced or first time homes, and suffer long-term.
For perspective, Maine's Humane Slaughter law requires animals to be effectively dead or unconscious prior to being hoisted, and yet fully alive & conscious baby pigs are routinely hoisted by one limb upsidedown at pig scrambles across the state.
What Agriculture Fairs defend as a fun way to introduce kids to farm life, is actually a free-pass to abuse animals, tainting the next generation of farmers. Many ethical, regenerative, and small-scale farmers actively oppose pig scrambles, citing how the inhumane handling conflicts with basic animal husbandry standards.
It's time for CHANGE.
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Want to do MORE to help?
Contact your local fair and ask them to kindly take pig scrambles off the roster,
Send a simple letter or email to fair sponsors, 4-H clubs, & the town where the fairgrounds are located, ask why they support such cruelty and urge them to ask the fair to reconsider hosting scrambles in the future.
Send an inquiry or complaint if you've witnessed abuse firsthand to the State's Animal Welfare Program.
Ask your local farmers to pledge never to supply animals for events like pig scrambles.
And tell your legislators to support a state-wide ban!
Find a list of all Maine Fairs here. Click on each fair to find their website/socials and schedule of events to see if they host a scramble.
Agricultural Fairs | Maine Association Agricultural Fairs | ME
Contact Maine's Animal Welfare Program
Animal Welfare Program: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF)
Get in Touch
The Watermelon Initiative unites animal advocates & farmers with creative solutions for animal welfare issues.
Have a pig scramble story?
Looking to help urge your local fair to discontinue their scramble?
Are you a Fair looking for help organizing a replacement activity?
We'd love to hear from you.