Sustainable Development

Research Interests:

Sustainable poultry production, regenerative agriculture and livestock production, ecological poultry practices including local feeds and nutrient cycling, insects as feed, responsible antimicrobial use, animal welfare, one health for animal/human/planet interconnections, poultry biodiversity and differentiated genetics, integration of poultry with pasture and agroforestry, carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services provided by livestock, small-scale poultry slaughter and processing, community engagement and international outreach in Latin America for social justice in agriculture, beginning farmer training in sustainable agriculture

Education

• 2007 Ph.D. Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.
• 1992 M.S. Animal Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 
• 1985 B.A. Zoology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
• 1985 B.A. Spanish, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Courses Taught

•  Principles of Agroecology (SD 3100)
• Sustainable Livestock (SD 3250)
• Eating Meat in the Anthropocene (HON 2515)
• One Health: Animal, Human, and Ecological Well-being (SD 3535)
• Curricular innovations: Agroecology Outreach, Methods in Agroecology Research, Sustainable Poultry (on-line; in development)

Background

     I am interested in ecology and equity in food and agriculture. After college, I joined the US Peace Corps and served in Costa Rica (‘87-89), working at a tropical agriculture research center (CATIE) and developing agroforestry projects with local farmers. I completed an M.S. in Animal Science at Oregon State University (OSU) studying alternative feeds for livestock, including temperate tree forages for rabbits. As a graduate student, I managed the Rabbit Research Center at OSU, including a 30-doe herd. After graduation, I joined the nonprofit organization, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT; Southeast Regional Office) in Arkansas. I wrote educational materials on sustainable poultry production and developed outreach programs for 15 years. I completed a Ph.D. in Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas (UA) to study the impact of genetics, production system, and nutrition on meat chicken performance and meat quality for organic and specialty markets. I conducted post-doctoral research with the USDA ARS Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit and developed an organic poultry research facility. I also studied poultry welfare and was trained in broiler welfare (PAACO). I have served on scientific committees for Humane Farm Animal Care and American Humane Association.
     I joined the faculty of the Sustainable Development Department at Appalachian State University in 2010. I teach regenerative agriculture, livestock, and poultry to undergraduate students. I developed a Pastured Poultry Research facility at the SD Farm, assisted with a woodlot swine facility, and other livestock operations. I conduct research on ecological feeding for pastured broilers and developed a mobile processing unit for small-scale slaughter. My outreach program focuses on sustainable poultry education, including community engagement with consumers and other stakeholders. I also conduct beginning farmer training focused on helping military veterans explore farming. I explore the role of agricultural and livestock production in providing healthy food for all, ecosystem services, meaningful livelihoods, and social justice to build resilient communities.

Representative Publications

• A.C. Fanatico, A. Kollanoor Johny, A. Upadhyay, and S.B. Bramall. 2025. Sustainable poultry education for undergraduate students. Poultry Science 104:2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104693.

• A.C. Fanatico, L.G. Gibbard, and S. B. Bramall. 2025. Frontline to Farm: Sustainable farming training for military veterans and beginning farmers. Poultry Science. Volume 104:1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104443.

• Fanatico, A.C., K. Arsi, I. Upadhyaya, J. Morales Ramos, D. Donoghue, A.M. Donoghue. 2018. Sustainable Fish and Invertebrate Meals for Methionine and Protein Feeds in Organic Poultry Production. J. Appl. Poul. Res. 27(4):437-448 https://doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfy037

• Fanatico, A. C., J. A. Mench, G. S. Archer , Y. Liang, V. B. Brewer Gunsaulis, C M. Owens, and A. M. Donoghue. 2016. Effect of Outdoor Structural Enrichments on the Performance, Use of Range, and Behavior of Free-range Meat Chickens. Poultry Science 95(9):1980-8. doi: 10.3382/ps/pew196

• Fanatico, A.C., C. M. Owens-Hanning, V. Brewer Gunsaulis, and A. M. Donoghue. 2015. Choice feeding of protein concentrate and grain to organic meat chickens. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 2016, 25 (2), 156-164. doi: 10.3382/japr/pfv076

• A. C. Fanatico, V. B. Brewer, C. M. Owens-Hanning , D. J. Donoghue , and A. M. Donoghue. 2013 Free-choice Feeding of Free-range Meat Chickens. 2013 J. Appl. Poult. Res. 22 :750–758 http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3382/japr.2012-00687

• Fanatico, A.C., P. B. Pillai, P.Y. Hester, C. Falcone, J.A. Mench, C.M. Owens, and J. L. Emmert. 2008. Performance, livability, and carcass yield of slow- and fast-growing chicken genotypes raised indoors or with outdoor access. Poult. Sci. 87:1012-1021.

• Fanatico, A.C., P. B. Pillai, J. L. Emmert, E. E. Gbur, J. F. Meullenet, and C. M. Owens. 2007. Sensory attributes of slow- and fast-growing chicken genotypes raised indoors or with outdoor access. Poult. Sci. 86: 2441-2449.

• Fanatico, A.C., P.B. Pillai, J.L. Emmert, and C.M. Owens. 2007. Meat quality of slow- and fast-growing chicken genotypes fed low-nutrient or standard diets and raised indoors or with outdoor access. Poult. Sci. 86:2245-2255.

Agroecology Outreach

See the Sustainable Poultry Outreach page

See Frontline to Farm website