Investigate Midwest is pleased to announce Juan Vassallo has joined its editorial staff as an Oklahoma-based reporter covering the state’s agribusiness and meat industry.
Vassallo started Jan. 13 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“Agribusiness is a vital sector that shapes not only our food supply but also our communities, economy, and environment,” Vassallo said. “I’m eager to investigate the forces at play within this industry and shed light on how policies and practices impact the lives of farmers and workers in Oklahoma.”
Vassallo recently completed his master of science in investigative journalism at Columbia University in New York City. While there, Vassallo covered fraudulent employment services geared towards immigrants and the Alzheimer’s Association’s role in promoting risky drugs.
Investigate Midwest began covering Oklahoma in 2023 and has produced award-winning stories, including on the state’s growing poultry industry, groundwater depletion from industrial farming, and how tribal communities are responding to consolidation in the meat industry.
“As a Midwest-adjacent state with its own significant agriculture footprint, Oklahoma is a key piece of our focus on the impacts of big agribusiness and industrial agriculture,” said Erin Orr, Investigate Midwest’s executive director. “We’re excited Juan has joined our award-winning team and look forward to how he will build on our coverage of the state’s agribusiness and animal industry sectors.”
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