John McCracken is an investigative reporter whose work examining the nation's consolidated meat industry, industrial agriculture and climate change has received awards and recognition from the Chicago Book Club, North American Agricultural Journalists, Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Iowa Newspaper Association and more. He has been invited to speak about his reporting at the Society for Environmental Journalists, NICAR and more.
Want more stories from writers like John? Find out how to donate today, from as little as the price of your regular coffee.
Investigation
Brenna Bird settled a national price-fixing suit against major egg companies including Versova. Versova’s president donated $40K to her campaign.
Elections•7 min read
Feature
In Boone, Iowa, a cottage cheese plant is meant to feed the protein craze, but some residents are worried about the manure.
Industry•9 min read
Feature
How water, cancer and factory farming are fueling a grassroots political campaign in Iowa for Chris Jones.
Elections•15 min read
Here’s what the data reveal about the country’s factory farm hotbed.
Inside Iowa•8 min read
Find out how much manure is in your backyard.
Inside Iowa•9 min read
News
The department quietly reversed course on Biden-era rulings meant to enforce equal treatment and transparency on how meat companies pay farmers.
Meat Lobby•5 min read
Investigation
Egg companies that received hundreds of millions of dollars in bird flu payments are ordered to settle for a fraction of the price.
Food•5 min read
Investigation
Executives in the ethanol, egg, and meat and dairy byproduct industries have spent millions of dollars on the ongoing race.
Elections•9 min read
You have read 0 articles.
As a fiercely independent, reader-supported news outlet, we’re unswayed by advertisers and profit margins. Your support funds investigative journalism, fact-checked explainers, resources for journalists and partnerships with publishers to boost reporting on the most pressing issues of our time. Read more
Sentient investigates and explains factory farms and their effect on climate, the environment, animals, health, politics and rural communities.
