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Essays & Analysis Archive

This is an archive of Stray Dog Institute’s blog posts published between 2021-2023. Authored by Stray Dog Institute and, at times, guest authors, these essays articulate Stray Dog Institute’s perspectives on key issues shaping food system transformation and farmed animal advocacy.

Since 2024, our research has focused on larger, movement-serving projects such as the State of the Movement. We continue to share this earlier work because it offers context, insights, and analysis that remain relevant to ongoing conversations about food systems transformation, animal advocacy, philanthropy, and more. Please note that the information in these essays is not regularly updated.

3/30/23 3/30/23

Demand for Farmed-Animal Feed Crops Fuels Pesticide Use

Industrial animal agriculture relies heavily on pesticide-intensive field crops, making animal exploitation a surprising cause of much US pesticide consumption.

2/16/23 2/16/23

Farm Policy for Food, Not Feed

In this guest post, Farm Action examines a great contradiction at the heart of US food and agriculture policy.

11/17/22 11/17/22

Reimagining the Role of Farmed Animals in Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture offers a transformative future vision for the US food system. Can regenerative approaches succeed without centering domesticated farmed animals?

6/30/22 6/30/22

Recognizing Queer Farmers in Food System Transformation

LGBTQ+ farmers in the US are an underrepresented voice in the movement for food systems transformation.

11/25/21 11/25/21

Livestock in the Global Food System

Farmed animals, commonly referred to as livestock, play a complex role in the transition to a kind and sustainable food system.

11/18/21 11/18/21

The Importance of US Farmers

Farmers are at the heart of the overlapping environmental, social, and animal welfare challenges facing the US food system. Statistics reveal insights into the past, present, and future of US farming.