Pork Has a Poop Problem

This is part of a graphic design campaign for a cause. The primary goal of the campaign was to increase awareness about the use of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in the production of pork in North Carolina. This research topic surfaced following investigations of localized issues of race, power, and privilege in Eastern North Carolina. The campaign was grounded in my belief that graphic design can be a powerful tool to effect positive change.

A blue background with the words "Pork Has A Poop Problem" on the left and on the right, a large pile of poop.

Swine Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are frequently sited in the Eastern NC area due to the availability of low-cost land, the low political power of rural populations, and massive state-level deregulation. This area has long been a battleground for the rights of BIPOC folks, with a direct throughline to the wretched history of slavery in the South. 

Aerial view of CAFO operation & cesspools of poop

Hogs in their pen inside a CAFO

These industrial pork production facilities yield myriad issues, with little benefit outside of corporate profits. Swine CAFOs contaminate the air, water, and soil surrounding the facilities. The pollution generated by these operations adversely impacts the physical and mental well-being of neighboring populations. Quality of life deteriorates, property values decline, and wealth is extracted from the surrounding community. Nearly all the detrimental impacts of CAFOs can be attributed to a single source: the waste management system. The large number of pigs grown in confined settings generates 10 billion gallons of fecal slurry annually in NC.

Over the course of six months, I distributed informative material regarding the negative impacts of CAFOs on the campus of East Carolina University and online. The project launched a call-to-action for participants to commit to one day of not eating pork. The majority of the posters were hung in places that were nearly guaranteed to have a captive audience: on bathroom stall doors.  Incidentally, the subject matter was congruent with the location.

I put together an instagram account and a webpage. As print materials went out in real life, digital campaign materials covering the same topic were posted online. Digital engagement was highest when the campaign covered race and racism.

Motion graphic I created covering what CAFOs are and how they are problematic. Find this piece on YouTube.

The campaign generated a range of responses, from full-throated endorsement to defacement and theft of campaign materials. Many audience members responded positively to the campaign; however, some evaluations indicated the messaging regarding racism caused a subset of viewers to perceive the campaign as a personal attack. But most viewers readily engaged, listened to the information, and were interested in solving the problem. I was asked to speak in classes and even got invited to “vigilante action.” One viewer stated: “All in all this campaign has been very enlightening, to say the least.”