Episodes

If you eat food, you need to care about what's in the Farm Bill. It seems overwhelming, but it's all about you, your food, and our future. In today’s episode of "One Bite is Everything," we had the privilege of speaking with Jonathan Coppess, a professor of Agricultural Policy at the University of Illinois. Jonathan provided us with a comprehensive overview of the Farm Bill, tracing its origins back to the New Deal and highlighting its significant evolution over the past 90 years. We discussed the critical role the Farm Bill plays in supporting farmers, ensuring food security, and addressing national security concerns. Jonathan also shed light on the ongoing debates in Congress regarding the current Farm Bill, emphasizing the challenges of adapting agricultural policies to the pressing issues of climate change, soil erosion, and sustainable farming practices. Key takeaways from our conversation include: The historical context and importance of the Farm Bill. The complex political dyna…

This is a quick and dirty dive into the key food we include in our 4th of July celebrations, where they come from, and some of the challenges our farmers face. In future episodes we will dive into more of the specifics of these American staples, the policies and politics that govern them, the practices -- both conventional and regenerative -- and the decisions we can make that match our values and the impact we want to have on the world. But for now, just a 7-minute eye-opening blip. Happy 4th!

Ironically, Yellowstone made us fall in love with the land and then buy in in a way that will destroy the rural and ranching landscape. Dive into the life of Sarah Christensen of Pintler Mountain Beef and learn what it really means to be connected to the land and the food it produces.

Barnswallows are nimble and persistent just like Meredith Numnikoven, the chief innovator at Barnswallow Flowers in rural Iowa. From the flower fields, this 5th generation farmer steps into the world of product design and innovation to solve a problem that is right under her nose every day. She doesn't stop there either. Despite concerns about repercussions, Meredith traveled to the Hill for three days to let policymakers know they were leaving some of the most important people out of the discussion. This episode is full of inspiring small actions that make a big difference that you can learn from and apply in different ways in your own community.

Every episode delivers an AH-HA that you never knew you needed. And those AH-HAs can lead you to rethink how you eat, shop, think, and live. It's amazing how one bite -- of a carrot or of a big befuddling concept -- can lead to a deeper understanding, a new perspective, and a course correction in how we make sense of the modern world we live in. One Bite is Everything. You will be surprised -- episode after episode -- by how connected it all is. I am. And I am glad to have you along for the ride...

Ahna Frye is remarkable. She and her farm boast the highest standards. She is driven by her faith, but girded by a deep-seated knowledge of what's right... for her family, her customers, her community, and the environment. Somehow all that she believes comes together as a viable farm business that provides healthy options for her community and her region in a way no one else does. We all have a lot to learn from Ahna and farms across the nation as they plow forward, toiling to bring us healthy food My advice... find one like this near you! xo

Matheson Oysters is a future-looking business with a nod to the past. It began on the heels of an unfortunate life turn that had Sarah Matheson Harris wondering what to do. What she decided brought her into the middle of a new world that provides a sustainable protein-rich meat, preservation to an historic waterfront, and a fascinating and thriving business. Don’t underestimate the power of Matheson Oyster’s young owner or of the oyster as an important healthy and sustainable meat. 🦪

What if a visit to the farmer's market could totally revolutionize your life? Do you think that's possible? For Julie Friend, the farmer's market changed hers -- her health, her outlook, and her profession. And what she learned on her journey includes the discovery of a new "buzzword" you haven't heard yet -- one like grass-finished, regenerative, free-range, but way more meaningful. What's different about this one? Listen to find out.

Ever wonder what's behind the label on the milk in your grocery store? Sabrina Servais knows. She's a 5th generation dairy farmer in Wisconsin who farms dairy with her family for Organic Valley, along with 1700 other farmers. Sabrina tells it straight, with a big tall glass of milk. When you take a bite (or a sip) here, you will connect directly with the health of the product and the cows, what's going on with farms, carbon, and the environment, and how the economics of this co-op works for farmers and for you. And you definitely want to know how Organic Valley compares to the other milk cartons on the dairy shelf. Organic Valley is farmer-owned. Are the others?

Can one bite from a carrot change your life? What do you think? Sounds farfetched, I know. But let's dig in and see how a single carrot can be connected to your tastebuds, your environment, the knitting together of communities and so much more. Betsey Zarko of Arrowleaf Prairie Farm in Illinois lets us in on the secrets of producing and eating nutrient-dense food, close to home, and sorting out how to do that economically. We all want food like that, right?

The Dahlia wars are alive and thriving! With a combination of grit, passion, and a sprinkle of serendipity, Merrie Avalone of Dreamland Flower Farm quite literally dreamt up and created her farm against all odds, and is now at the center of the Dahlia craze! Merrie’s chance encounter with a generous landlord spearheaded her passion for flowers that just didn’t seem to let up, and still hasn’t. After bartering for patches of land to grow and sell flowers, then being told by every agronomist that...

Imagine this, you are completely self-sufficient and growing every single ingredient you need to cook dinner every night. Olivia Kingery, founder of Pileated Farms, and a fellow advocate of joy, followed the signs the universe left for her to do just that. Olivia is growing nutritious, seasonal, food for her family and community while also participating in and spreading the word about community supported agriculture programs. Once a writer, looking for work, Olivia stumbled upon farming in the most serendipitous way, finding her joy in farming and food, but more importantly, creating a community in her little corner of the world. Growing and eating nutrient dense food that is in season has become Olivia’s greatest passion, while also making it a point to slow down more and take in all life has to offer. We have become so accustomed to getting what we want when we want it, not considering what it takes to produce what is being consumed. In our fast paced life, where quantity trumps qua…

"One Bite is Everything" host Dana DiPrima introduces you to the universe where everyday food, fuel, fiber, and flowers (the 4 Fs) emanate from the center of your proverbial plate to its broader impact on health, the environment, community, and the economy. Here, with One Bite, you have to opportunity to explore the countless decisions involved in how our food reaches us and connect these choices to bigger, critical life issues. This unique approach sparks a broader conversation on the interplay between our choices and societal well-being.

Healthy food should not be a privilege, yet more than 23 million Americans don't have access to fresh food. Maura "Mac" Russell is working to change this statistic, all while balancing her career as a consultant, and being a mom of four. Through Ad Astra Farms, Mac takes on food justice in the community, healthy food production and education, and the persisting trauma that many Black Americans associate with farming. This first episode of One Bite is Everything takes on personal health, community well-being, the environment, and more. Tune in until the end for some funny surprises you will relate to! Follow/Subscribe to the show. Leave a review.

On today’s episode of Talk Farm To Me, we hear from first generation farmer Kelley Babbin, owner and operator of Howling Flats Farms in Canaan, Connecticut. Kelley has made it her mission to create an environment of sustainable agriculture, while nurturing the land she grows on. Using sustainable practices to give her animals the utmost love and care, making for happy animals that live harmoniously with the land, Kelley has created an online marketplace to sell her meat to consumers that are loo...

We believe in farmers being taken seriously. They are the backbone of our society after all, right? Then why are more and more farmers becoming silenced and marginalized? To answer this question and spread awareness about this topic, we have invited podcast host, author, and law and government teacher, Sharon McMahon, to shed light on how America is failing its farmers, and what we can do to change that. Sharon has a deep knowledge of the monster farmers are up against when it comes to legislation, farm bills, and the oligopoly of big ag phasing out small family farms. She brings the conversation back to the American government and law makers to enforce checks and balances so the farmers get the respect they deserve, with the health of the consumers in mind. This is an important conversation with tons of information about the way the government and laws are structured that will put the farming industry and the direction it is going into perspective. Something we all need to pay attent…

Sal Gilbertie has had some luck -- good luck and bad luck -- that catapulted him into a career in growing organic herbs. Sal’s love for healthy soil and organic farming shines through in this episode, where he details his experience of deciding to grow organically when it wasn’t as common or popular as it is now. Sal has a deep knowledge of what it takes to be 100% organic, in a world where pesticides are still very much being used as the easier, cheaper option, yet making people very sick. Thi...

When you think of farming, Alaska isn’t the first place that comes to mind. However our guest on today’s episode is an Alaskan dairy farmer on Kodiak island, who is an advocate for small farms staying small, especially in Alaska where most of the food that is consumed is grown elsewhere and shipped in. Kelli Foreman grew up on a small farm in Nebraska, so she has always been familiar with the benefits of small family farms, but it wasn’t until she started a small farm herself, on a remote islan...

It’s not uncommon that farmers are hit with financial issues constantly. Farming isn’t cheap and requires a lot of grit to push through the uncertainty that comes with farming. What non-farmers might not realize is that something as seemingly arbitrary as improper fencing can make or break a farm. This was the case for our guest on today’s episode, and she is here to tell her story! Rancher Charity Epperson from Wild Things Ranch in Sonoma County, California, raises specialty sheep, lamb, and p...

On this episode, we meet one of the 2023 For Farmers Grant awardees, Scott and Delissa Mainord of Mainord Family Farms, located in East Prairie, Missouri. Mainord Family Farms is a produce farm, where they mainly grow watermelon and pumpkins, after working their day jobs. Scott and Delissa were looking to expand their pumpkin varieties and needed an extra financial boost to grow specialty pumpkins, which they received through our For Farmers Grant after being nominated by a family member, and they are here to talk about it! Tune in to hear Scott and Delissa’s story, and how they manage to run a farm in their busy lives!

Rachael Stewart | Stewart Pastures On today’s episode of Talk Farm To Me, we are joined by an incredibly strong and brave, first generation farmer, who took a chance on herself, no matter the hurdles, to own and operate an off grid livestock farm in Arizona. Rachael Stewart went from a life in fitness to life on the farm, taking her passion for good nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle, and putting it into action by growing and processing her own livestock. Rachael’s story is nothing short ...

Did you know that 99% of poultry farmers don’t own their own birds? When we learned this statistic from our guest on today’s show, it completely shocked us. Unfortunately, many family farmers across the US have their arms tied due to financial constraints where large corporations have swooped in to take advantage of their situation and hire family farms on contract, leaving farmers with little to no control over their compensation, how they farm, and the longevity of their farms. Our guest on ...

What you need to know about your meat and the Prime Act with Liz Reitzig How often do we, as food consumers, think about how and who is cultivating, harvesting, and distributing our food? Or, on a deeper level, do we ever think about how our food choices and consumption is affecting the health of our soils? The answers to these questions are probably similar across the board, no or very little, but that’s what our guest on today’s episode wants to change, and she has been incredibly successful i...

On this episode of Talk Farm To Me, we invite farmers Laura & Mike Ellis from Mt. Hope Farms to talk to us about their fifth-generation farm in Oregon and how they have created a successful business by bridging the gap between the old ways and new ways of farming. Known for their award-winning Oregon fruit spreads, table grapes, and specialty crops, Mt. Hope Farms has gone through a substantial amount of evolution during their five generations of being on this farm, which historically isn't the...