This project explores the vast and intricate world of industrial farming led by corporations like Tyson, focusing on the profound impacts this system has on environmental health, socio-economic structures, and consumer awareness. As the backbone of the study, the lifecycle of Tyson’s poultry production serves as a case study to illustrate the unsustainable practices embedded within corporate-driven agriculture. By using Tyson’s operations, which involve a cycle of growing, feeding, and waste management that repeats annually, this research highlights the environmental degradation due to excessive manure production causing soil and water contamination, and the displacement of traditional family farms by large-scale corporate operations, fundamentally altering local economies and ecosystems.
The research transcends traditional academic boundaries by implementing a design intervention at Walmart, a key player in consumer interaction with industrial farming products. This intervention uses design elements such as contrasting product displays, transparent shelving, and symbolic installations to disrupt consumer habits and prompt reflection on the hidden costs of industrial farming. By mimicking marketing tactics, the project engages consumers in a dialogue about their purchasing choices, encouraging more sustainable and informed behaviors. This approach not only critiques the system but also seeks to reform consumer perceptions and actions towards a more sustainable and equitable food system.
