The Truth About Regenerative Grazing with Jennifer Molidor and Ashley Capps

Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

In this essential episode for animal advocates, environmental experts Jennifer Molidor (Center for Biological Diversity) and Ashley Capps (A Well Fed World) expose how the meat industry uses “regenerative grazing” claims to greenwash factory farming. From debunking myths about grass-fed beef to revealing the devastating impact of cattle grazing on wildlife and climate change, this conversation equips our flock with science-backed responses to common pro-meat environmental claims.

This episode explores:
• The scientific evidence debunking regenerative grazing as a climate solution
• Why grass-fed beef requires more land and produces more methane than factory farming
• How the meat industry co-opts environmental terminology to mislead consumers
• The connection between cattle grazing and global deforestation
• Plant-based solutions for genuine environmental sustainability

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Jennifer Molidor is Senior Food Campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity, where she leads the “Take Extinction Off Your Plate” campaign and drives Population and Sustainability program initiatives addressing industrial agriculture’s impact on wildlife conservation and climate change. With expertise in sustainable food systems and environmental policy, she previously served at the Animal Legal Defense Fund and as an assistant professor at Kansas State University. Dr. Molidor, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame, focuses on the intersection of food choices, farming practices, biodiversity protection, and environmental sustainability.

Ashley Capps is a writer, researcher, and poet who combines her creative background with animal rights advocacy at A Well-Fed World, where she focuses on food justice and climate solutions. As founder of the Mothers Against Dairy campaign and a frequent contributor to Free from Harm, she brings a unique perspective to environmental and animal rights activism. An NEA fellowship recipient and published poet, Ashley leverages her creative writing expertise to advocate for plant-based solutions and animal welfare. She currently lives in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where she continues her work in animal advocacy while co-editing an upcoming animal poetry anthology for Trinity University Press.

RESOURCES

• • • Animal Law Podcast 116 The Case of the Thirsty Elk
    • The Animal Industry Has No Chance to Survive
    • ‘A Dangerous Virus’: Bird Flu Enters a New Phase
    • The Media Is Obsessed with Ultra-Processed Foods in 2025 — but Coverage Is Missing the Forest for the (Broccoli) Trees
    • China Opens $11M Cultivated Meat Centre with Support From Local Govt & Businesses
    • USDA pushing beans over meat is music to our ears
    • Submit a comment on the dietary guidelines
    • Learn Veganic Online Gardening Course
    • Jennifer Molidor’s website
    • Jennifer’s FoodX Newsletter
    • Ashley Capps’ website
    • Grazing Facts website
    • Center for Biological Diversity’s regenerative agriculture campaign page
    • Regenerative Agriculture policy primer
    • A Guide to the Impact of Beef Production on Wildlife and Biodiversity
    • Cows and Climate Change Factsheet
    • The Problem with Regenerative Beef Factsheet
    • Slaughterhouse Factsheet
    • Climate Friendly Food Guide
    • The New Sent(i)ence anthology’s Facebook
    • The New Sent(i)ence Anthology’s Instagram

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview.

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The Learn Veganic Online Gardening Course is starting on February 12th, 2025. You’ll learn how to grow a thriving fruit and veggie garden using fully vegan techniques, without any animal byproducts like bonemeal or manure. You can save $15 with the code OURHENHOUSE at https://learnveganic.com/

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