Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Dan West was a farmer from Indiana, as well as a leader in the Church of the Brethren. In 1937, Dan went to Spain and volunteered in a program, that combined the efforts of the Mennonites, Brethren and American Friends Service Committee, to assist the survivors of the Spanish Civil War.
He developed a personal desire, to do as much for peace, as soldiers do in war. They gave out food and clothing to people in need and Dan saw first-hand, that giving people, food, was a short-term solution. As a farmer, he felt that providing them with animals, would provide a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family.
With a great deal of planning and inspired generosity, on the part of Brethren members and friends, the “Heifer Project” became a reality. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration endorsed Dan’s plan, to send livestock to war torn Europe.
Following the Second World War, a group of young farmers volunteered to accompany the first shipments of livestock, into devastated communities of Europe, Asia and even behind the Iron Curtain.I n 1946, Greece became the first destination to receive a test shipment. These volunteers became known as the Seagoing Cowboys, as they cared for the animals, on these ocean-going trips. Seven-thousand Seagoing Cowboys made 360 journeys, during a period of nearly, 3 years.
Today, what started as Heifer Project is now known as Heifer International which over the past 75 years has assisted 39-million people around the world, out of hunger.
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Tags - Heifer Project, Heifer International, Church of the Brethren, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation, Sustainability, Sea Going Cowboys, Hunger Relief, Dan West, East Africa Dairy Development, Ending Hunger
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Dan West was a farmer from Indiana, as well as a leader in the Church of the Brethren. In 1937, Dan went to Spain and volunteered in a program, that combined the efforts of the Mennonites, Brethren and American Friends Service Committee, to assist the survivors of the Spanish Civil War.
He developed a personal desire, to do as much for peace, as soldiers do in war. They gave out food and clothing to people in need and Dan saw first-hand, that giving people, food, was a short-term solution. As a farmer, he felt that providing them with animals, would provide a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family.
With a great deal of planning and inspired generosity, on the part of Brethren members and friends, the “Heifer Project” became a reality. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration endorsed Dan’s plan, to send livestock to war torn Europe.
Following the Second World War, a group of young farmers volunteered to accompany the first shipments of livestock, into devastated communities of Europe, Asia and even behind the Iron Curtain.I n 1946, Greece became the first destination to receive a test shipment. These volunteers became known as the Seagoing Cowboys, as they cared for the animals, on these ocean-going trips. Seven-thousand Seagoing Cowboys made 360 journeys, during a period of nearly, 3 years.
Today, what started as Heifer Project is now known as Heifer International which over the past 75 years has assisted 39-million people around the world, out of hunger.
--
Tags - Heifer Project, Heifer International, Church of the Brethren, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation, Sustainability, Sea Going Cowboys, Hunger Relief, Dan West, East Africa Dairy Development, Ending Hunger
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