In her book Defending Beef, Nicolette Hahn Niman, an environmental lawyer-turned-rancher, does exactly as the title suggests by proclaiming everything that can be great about beef if it’s managed properly. Her book discusses sustainability (with a focus on soil health, carbon sequestration, and water conservation), as well as the nutritional benefits of beef, and the positive impacts of biodiversity, managed grazing techniques, and animal health.
Nicolette has gone from being a vegetarian for 33 years to becoming a cattle rancher for Niman Ranch (@nimanranch) with her husband - which you’ve probably seen in your grocery store for their delicious bacon and other meats - and she’s an advocate for the role of livestock in sustainable farming systems.