07/16/2026
The beef industry owes more to autism than most people realize.
Last month, I toured the processing facility at Colorado State University.
Early in her career, Dr. Temple Grandin, an autistic professor, and animal behavior expert, started paying attention to how cattle reacted to shadows, reflections, noises, and other parts of their environment.
She then used those observations to design handling systems that reduce fear for cattle while also making facilities operate more efficiently.
This facility is also connected to a program called Beef Sticks for Backpacks.
They produce high-protein beef sticks that are distributed through backpack food programs for kids experiencing food insecurity.
To me, this feels like a reminder that autistic special interests aren’t getting in the way of a meaningful life, they can often become the path TO a meaningful life.
Because Temple paid attention to details that others overlooked, cattle experience less fear and stress today than they otherwise would have.
And because people at Colorado State University use their resources to help others, children have increased access to food.
Stories like this rarely get attention but I wanted a share because good work is being done everywhere, even when there aren’t cameras to document it. ❤️
