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.
So-called ‘Biogas’ from Intensive Animal Farming Threatens a Clean Energy Future
Factory farm biogas further entrenches industrial animal agriculture and fossil fuel dependence.
Recognizing Queer Farmers in Food System Transformation
LGBTQ+ farmers in the US are an underrepresented voice in the movement for food systems transformation.
Intensive Agriculture's Impact on the Common Good
Intensive agriculture in the US damages the environment, wastes natural resources, drives climate change, and harms both animals and humans.
Challenges and Opportunities Surrounding US Agricultural Subsidies
Agricultural subsidies play a significant role in defining the environmental, social, and animal welfare norms of the US food system.
Reframing Food Access Disparities as Food Apartheid
Confronting structural racism in the food system means looking beyond "food deserts" and recognizing the systemic roots of food access disparities.
Universal Meals Make Plant-Based Eating More Inclusive
Adjusting the way meals are served in public institutions, retail locations, and even community potlucks could make the benefits of plant-based eating accessible to all.
The Changing Economics of Farming
The challenging economics of the agriculture industry disadvantage farmers, intensifying environmental and social problems in food and farming.
How to Feed the World Part II: Scaling Inclusive Sustainability
Sustainable agriculture offers timely solutions to the harms caused by the industrial food system.
Building Meaningful and Successful Nonprofit Collaboration
Successful nonprofit collaboration takes care and active management. Here we share our lessons from facilitating three collaborative working groups.
Litigation Strategies Produce Systemic Change for Farmed Animals
Legal advocacy highlights inadequate regulation of food and farming, supports farmed animal advocacy, and protects the future of plant-based food.
The Potential Benefits and Pitfalls of Plant-based Foods
Keeping sight of all aspects of the common good can help plant-based foods usher in food system transformation.
How to Feed the World Part I: Framing An Urgent Question
Assessing the future food needs of a growing population requires asking the right questions about what kind food system will support a sustainable future.
The Impact of Consuming Animals
Consuming animals supports an industry with a range of complex negative impacts to animals, land, water, air, and human wellbeing.
The Scale and Consequences of Industrial Animal Agriculture
Raising animals for food at industrial scales has a range of negative impacts on animals, environments, and human wellbeing.
What Does the Trust Deficit Mean for Philanthropic Giving in the Food System?
As public trust in institutions reaches a record low, guest author Amanda Hitt offers an ethical framework for identifying philanthropic causes with the greatest potential for good.
The Systemic Approach to Agricultural Transformation
A promising new agricultural transformation strategy could disrupt agribusiness dominance and turn US food production toward a sustainable, inclusive, humane future.
Fostering Collaboration through the Roundtable on Animal Agribusiness Reform
Stray Dog Institute shares lessons learned from convening the 2019 Roundtable on Animal Agribusiness Reform.
The Evolving Frontier of Cultivated Meat
Slaughter-free cultivated meat holds great promise for transforming food production but faces scientific and regulatory challenges on its way to store shelves.
The Growing Movement to Stop CAFOs
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) harm animals, disrupt rural economies, and pollute the environment. Can we secure a future food system free of CAFOs?
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.