Farm To Table Talk
Food & Cooking Podcasts
Is it best that our food is Local and Organic or Big and Conventional? Our view is “Both, and..” We don’t come to the table with a bias, except that good farming like good food comes in all shapes and sizes. Farm to Table Talk explores issues and the growing interest in the story of how and where the food on our tables is produced, processed and marketed. The host, Rodger Wasson is a food and agriculture veteran. Although he was the first of his family to leave the grain and livestock farm after five generations farming in America, he’s continually worked for and with farmers though-out America and around the world. From directly managing commodity boards and councils to presently building the strategic consultancy, Idea Farming Inc., the Farm to Table Talk podcast has been created to satisfy the curiosity of today’s engaged consumers.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Food & Cooking Podcasts
Description:
Is it best that our food is Local and Organic or Big and Conventional? Our view is “Both, and..” We don’t come to the table with a bias, except that good farming like good food comes in all shapes and sizes. Farm to Table Talk explores issues and the growing interest in the story of how and where the food on our tables is produced, processed and marketed. The host, Rodger Wasson is a food and agriculture veteran. Although he was the first of his family to leave the grain and livestock farm after five generations farming in America, he’s continually worked for and with farmers though-out America and around the world. From directly managing commodity boards and councils to presently building the strategic consultancy, Idea Farming Inc., the Farm to Table Talk podcast has been created to satisfy the curiosity of today’s engaged consumers.
Language:
English
Website:
https://www.farmtotabletalk.com/
Episodes
Sky’s The Limit – Arthur Erickson
4/3/2025
Small and mid-sized farms face a storm of economic pressures, worsening labor shortages, climate extremes, and relentless market disruptions (tariffs) With profit margins squeezed farmers are turning to precision agriculture, leveraging advanced, autonomous drone technology to optimize resources, reduce waste, overcome labor gaps, and maintain profitability. Arthur Erickson, CEO of Hylio, a US based ag drone manufacturer, shares how small to large-scale farmers are integrating drones into their regenerating operations. www.hylio.com
Duration:00:33:01
Soil Is Healthcare’s Future – Nadine Clopton
3/27/2025
In the U.S., 90% of the $4.5 trillion spent on healthcare goes toward managing chronic disease, yet Physicians receive an average of just 19.6 hours of nutrition education. It's time for a new approach to healthy living, from the ground up.. Prestigious agriculture research and education nonprofit, Rodale Institute is a global pioneer that integrates regenerative organic agriculture and healthcare, for a future where food is medicine. Nadine Clopton is Rodale's Program Manager of Regenerative Education. www.rodaleinstitute.org
Duration:00:46:16
Nutrition Security – Nate Blum
3/20/2025
Nutrition security alongside food security will ensure healthy and active lives. Achieving nutritional security is being achieved through nutrition-sensitive farming, diversified food production and community sensitization. Nate Blum is an agricultural expert and the CEO of the Sorghum United Foundation, dedicated to advancing human and animal health, as well as climate-smart agriculture. www.sorghumunited.com
Duration:00:57:25
Backyard Farming – Kim Pezza
3/14/2025
As egg prices reach record highs, more homeowners are turning to backyard chicken farming as a sustainable and cost-effective solution. This surge in prices has led to a growing trend of individuals raising their own chickens to ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs. Kim Pezza is an expert in sustainable living and the author of Backyard Farming: Raising Chickens as well as other books in the Backyard Farming series to help us achieve greater self-sufficiency in our own backyards.
Duration:00:56:19
New Tech Delivers – Gary Whickham
3/7/2025
Farms of all sizes and types, from conventional to organic, need continually improving technologies if they are to meet their obligations to Mother Earth and their own bottom line. Gary Wickhan is the founder and CEO of Ireland based MagrowTec. Farming utilizes applications of materials through spraying. Whether those materials are organic or traditional the goal is to use as little as possible and avoid drift to non targeted areas. Magrotec uses permanent rare earth magnets to expose fluid to static non-uniform magnetic fields under appropriate flow conditions. This affects the physical properties of the fluid that determine spray droplet formation, droplet dynamics, and droplet adhesion.Large farms are early adapters but as the technology advances it will be better for smaller operations, for the climate and for eaters. www.magrowtec.com
Duration:00:54:23
Sharing Food Bridges Divides – Shari Leid
2/27/2025
Food is a universal language and the key to bridging our deepest divides can be as simple as sharing a meal. In her newbook, Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America, Shari Leid embarks on a journey to connect with people from all walks of life—demonstrating how food can serve as a powerful bridge across political and cultural divides.Shari’s 50 States Project took her to all corners of the U.S., where she intentionally satdown to meals with individuals of diverse ages, races, political beliefs, and socioeconomicbackgrounds. By focusing on the shared humanity of breaking bread, Shari bypassedcontentious topics and created safe spaces for vulnerable, bias-free conversations. Her story is a timely and powerful reminder of how intentional acts of connection can bring people together, even in today’s polarized climate.
Duration:00:46:04
We Can Farm Too- Shiv Shakti
2/21/2025
Can anyone farm? It doesn't take large acreage to grow food in your own back yard, next to your restaurant, in a community gardens, school yard, or a small space adding income to an existing small farming operation. Shiv Shakti is founder of Shakti Farm Design in Bend Oregon. He creates sustainable, energy-efficient greenhouses that integrate regenerative agriculture and permaculture principles. Utilizing soil and sun in small spaces with modest investments, almost anyone can farm. shaktifarmdesign.com
Duration:00:40:57
Tariffs Tax Food – Ron Baumgarten
2/14/2025
Tariffs are taxes that may increase food costs and decrease farm incomes. President Trump has signed executive orders imposing duties on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. The president has also threatened tariffs on imports from other countries, as well as across-the-board tariffs aimed at specific sectors.As the largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, the United States will face retaliatory tariffs and other barriers in retaliation for the recent actions, with a big impact on domestic farmers and ranchers, food manufacturers, restaurants, retailers and consumers.Former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Ron Baumgarten.is now of counsel with law firm BakerHostetler, specializing in international trade law and negotiations,
Duration:00:44:18
Urban Farming – Alfred Melbourne
2/7/2025
You don't need to be in the country to farm. It can start on a vacant lot. Three Sisters Gardens’ in West Sacramento is giving back to the community by inspiring and empowering youth through urban farming. Like the Three Sisters legend of companionship planting, Three Sisters Gardens founder Alfred Melbourne believes that communities can heal and thrive when all components, the youth, adults, and elders, work together. The program fosters pride, cultural preservation, and also a deeper connection to Native American heritage. Young leaders become agents of change, promoting access to fresh produce, community well-being, sustainable urban environments and a brighter future. 3sistersgardens.com
Duration:00:38:32
Goats For Good – Aaron Steele
1/31/2025
Grazing is getting attention for a natural mitigation of fire hazards. Herbicides can run off, are dangerous to handle, and lead to genetically resistant weeds. Power equipment burns fossil fuel and produces CO2. Goats go where people can't, eat what most animals won't, and leave behind nothing but fertilizer. Today goats offer an added enterprise to farms and beginning farmers to capitalize the demand for both targeted grazing and goat meat from the growing population of people from parts of the world where goat meat is preferred.Aaron Steele is the found or of Goats On the Go and the author of the new audio book Goats for Good that is available at www.goatsonthe go.com and available through podcast apps.
Duration:00:41:37
Local for Happy Meals – Mike Maynard
1/26/2025
McDonald’s operators in Michigan supply their Happy Meal customers and support Michigan farmers by purchasing 14 million pounds of state grown apples annually.There are are over 500 locally-owned McDonald’s restaurants with over 80 Owner/Operators in 90% of Michigan counties. They support Michigan by purchasing 135.9 million pounds of corn, 54.9 million dozen eggs, 22.2 million gallons of milk, 14 million pounds of apples, 5.6 million pounds of butter, 3.4 million pounds of pork, , 3 million pounds of beef, 1.2 million pounds of cheese, and 625,000 pounds of blueberries. Mike Maynard is a 2nd generation owner/operator from southern central Michigan (Coldwater, Battle Creek area) with 12 stores owned between his mom and dad, Jim and Laura Maynard, and Mike and his wife Jessica.
Duration:00:25:19
Good Natured – Paula Whyman
1/17/2025
Many dream of moving to the country and some take the steps to make that dream a reality. Paula Whyman had a "crazy" idea to cultivate a small native meadow where wildlife could thrive. Then she set foot on 200 acres of old farmland atop a Virginia mountain and her dream became a reality. In BAD NATURALIST: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop, Paula Whyman explains how she cares for her mountain-sized ecological restoration challenge and discovered that it’s impossible to be a “good” naturalist.
Duration:00:48:02
Bridge the Divide – Gary Paul Nabhan
1/9/2025
The biggest issue threatening the food system now is not climate change. It is the emerging policies to deport undocumented workers that make the wheels turn from fields to processing plants and retail. Gary Nabham is an Agricultural Ecologist, Ethnobotanist, Ecumenical Franciscan Brother, and author whose work has focused primarily on the interaction of biodiversity and cultural diversity of the arid binational Southwest. He also is a keynote speaker at Eco Farm where he brings a different message. It's time for people in the country to come together, regardless of their politics to support the immigrants we need to grow, process, deliver and prepare our food from farm to table. garynabhan.com eco-farm.org
Duration:00:33:39
Rebuilt, Restored, Regenified – Heidi Diestel & Kristine Root
1/3/2025
Regenerative is a 'thing'. More than just a farm to table buzz word there is real rebuilding and restoration taking place that ultimately improves the soil and improves nutrition. As the word gets out and consumer demand increases for rest0red soil and more nutritious foods, how can the consumer know whether they're getting the "real thing"? Regenified certification is stepping up to this job says Chief Marketing Officer Kristine Roots. Diestel Famiily Ranch turkeys are on that track explains Heidi Diestel. An analysis conducted by the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University on behalf of Regenified and Diestel Family Ranch showed that Diestel turkeys grown with regenerative farming practices are not only better for the land, but also have improved nutritional profiles over conventionally raised turkeys. www.diestelturkey.com www.regenified.com
Duration:00:45:04
The Movement Begins – Stephanie Anderson
12/19/2024
What happens when women take the lead in tackling climate change through the food we grow and eat? Stephanie Anderson grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota and is the author of From the Ground Up. With a background in creative nonfiction, a deep understanding of regenerative agriculture, and years of exploring the intersections of equity and sustainability, Stephanie brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to our table. Movements start broad and grow in participation and focus creating transformation, reshaping system and inspiring hope in the face of environmental and s0cietal challenges.
Duration:00:49:31
Sun Farms – Peter Schmitt
12/12/2024
Sunshine makes food farming possible in more ways than one. Emerging farmers can access land and landowners can add solar income through, Agrivoltaicm an approach that combines solar energy production with agricultural practices — allowing for renewable energy generation alongside farming activities like crop production and livestock grazing. This dual-use approach brings significant benefits to the land, farmers, and the local community. Peter Schnitt is the Director of Product Development with Minneapolis based, US Solar. www.us-solar.com
Duration:00:41:37
Cooperation Pays – Kim Coontz, CCCD
12/6/2024
Going it alone is a noble idea but for many solo ventures cooperation with others pays off. Cooperatives are a unique legal business form that facilitates people coming together to tackle challenges that are overwhelming or impossible for the individual. Kim Coontz is the Executive Director of the California Center for Cooperative Development. CCCD demonstrates the power of the self-help elements of cooperatives to help new farmers gain viability through cooperative purchasing, sales and product promotion, plus enabling food security in rural as well as urban enclaves through food cooperatives. http://www.cccd.coop/membership
Duration:00:37:30
Thankful and Hopeful – Jeff Van Pevenage
11/28/2024
Change is coming to Agriculture, in policies and people. It's a time to be thankful for the USDA team who came to Washington four years ago to give their best to help farmers and time to welcome a new team coming to the Capitol ready to give their own best. Jeff Van Pevanage is the President and CEO of Columbia Grain. Marketing to and from foreign markets he remembers the effect of the trade war with China and sees implications of the announced unprecedented tariffs with our neighbors in Canada and Mexico. With new leadership, Farm Bill, tariffs, labor shortages and more the best efforts of all will be welcome. www.columbiagrain.com
Duration:00:29:09
Ukraine, Space and the World’s Food – Vera Petryk
11/21/2024
Mitigating Climate Change will require implementing a data driven approach on every level of global food production. Agriculture-oriented satellite constellations are beginning to provide a critical perspective on the size and condition of nearly everything we grow to eat, nearly every where in the world. With Ukraine still in the news we are bringing back a previous conversation with Vera Petryk who spoke to us from her home in Kyev with optimism for Ukraine and an optimistic view of the future of food on our 'Blue Dot'.
Duration:00:29:28
Ag Will Reverse Greenhouse Gas – Marty Matlock
11/14/2024
Agriculture will reverse the dangerous levels of greenhouse gases in the environment, if Ag follows a report prepared by leading scientists, reviewed by CAST (Center for Ag Science and Technology) and published by the US Farmers and Ranchers In Action. Dr.Marty Matlock, University of Arkansas and leading author of the repot explains how combining reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with increased carbon sequestration will achieve GHG-negative agriculture in five areas offering the most significant opportunities to offset Ag's roughly 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions: soil carbon management, nitrogen fertilizer management, animal production and management, crop yield gap, and efficient energy use. https://youtu.be/HwCR5_N8D8Y CAST: @CASTAgScience on all social media networks. USFRA: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Duration:00:42:05