Jon Stweart and wife Tracey to open sanctuary for abused farm animals in New Jersy

Going from lashing tongues to green thumbs, Jon Stewart is looking forward to the simple life

Jon and Tracey Stewart announced Saturday that they will be working with Farm Sanctuary on creating a sanctuary for abused farm animals at their 12-acre ranch in New Jersey.

The event was held at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, where the Stewart`s were guests of honour, and attendees dined on a vegan meal.

Farm Sactuary’s goal is to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living, according to their web site.

“I’m a little uncomfortable,” Jon told the crowd. “I’ve spent the last 20 years immersed in the world of Washington politics and the media landscape, so I don’t know how to deal necessarily with people who have empathy,”

Stewart is best known as the former host of “The Daily Show,” a position he had held for 16 years. His wife Tracey is a veterinary technician and a vegan with strong ties to the animal welfare community.

She told the New York Times that Stewart himself had become a vegetarian.

Tracey took to her Facebook page to announce the partnership and promote animal welfare.

Tracey Stewart also published a book on the topic of animal welfare and mistreatment, titled “Do Unto Animals.”