Farmside Chat: Recent Episodes
American Farm Bureau Federation
Conversations with farmers, leaders, and lawmakers around the country on what it takes to grow a safe and sustainable food supply. These monthly chats are hosted by American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.
Poinsettias are a staple for many homes and businesses throughout the holidays. On today’s Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Alabama poinsettia grower, Hank Richardson about all things poinsettias and why they have become synonymous with the holiday season.
Onions are a staple in many kitchens, but what goes into growing the perfect onion? On this episode of Farmside Chat, President Duvall speaks with 12th generation farmer Molly Torres about her family farm operation and what makes Elba, New York the ideal location to grow some of the world’s best onions.
Do cranberries really grow in water? What are the different varieties? We answer all of your cranberry questions on this episode of Farmside Chat. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with 5th-generation Wisconsin cranberry farmer Amber Bristow about her passion for growing cranberries and how she shares her farm story on social media through her @cranberrychats Instagram account and the Forward Farming podcast.
Honor, duty and sacrifice are just some of the life lessons that service members learn first-hand while serving their country. On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Montana rancher and veteran Nick Courville about his time in the military and how it prepared him for a career in agriculture.
The memories and connections consumers make when visiting a farm have a lasting impact. On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Arizona farmer Sharla Mortimer of Mortimer Farms. Sharla discusses her passion for ag education, why her farm prioritizes agritourism, the impact that has made on her community and why other farmers should consider opening their farms to the public.
Whether you are a football player or a farmer, preparation and determination is part of the job. On the latest episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with former Iowa Hawkeye and New York Jets football player turned farmer Matt Kroul. He shares about his journey from the football field to the farm and how his years as a football player prepared him for a career in agriculture.
Idaho is known for potatoes. But what makes Idaho an ideal state to grow a potato? On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Idaho potato farmer Klaren Koompin about why Idaho is uniquely positioned to grow potatoes, the process of growing and harvesting potatoes and its many nutritional benefits.
Sustainability is at the heart of what farmers and ranchers do—it is simply just what they do. On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with PepsiCo Vice President of Sustainable Agriculture, Global Sustainability, Rob Myers and PepsiCo Senior Director of Government Affairs, Dan Christenson about their collaboration with farmers to help further sustainability efforts on farms across the nation.
There are many species of crawfish located throughout the United States and it is often thought of as primarily bait, but in certain areas of the country it is used in many other ways. On this Farmside Chat episode, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Louisiana crawfish farmer Joey Olivier about his farm and the ins and outs of crawfish farming.
Grazing on public lands has many benefits—it helps reduce the risk of devastating wildfires, slows the spread of invasive weeds, and increases the health of wildlife habitats. On this episode of Farmside Chat, President Duvall chats with 5th generation cattle ranch farmer Ben Menges about the importance of grazing and why it is a vital practice on his ranch.
Cotton is used in products we use every day such as clothes, sheets and towels. But did you know that it is also used in a myriad of other ways? On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall sits down with 5th generation Texas cotton farmer, Colin Chopelas about the unique uses of cotton, the impact of the farm bill and the sustainability practices he’s implementing on his farm.
The avocado has increased in popularity in recent years, yet, it’s still a mystery to many consumers. Is it a fruit or a vegetable? How long does it take to grow? How long does it take to ripen? How can you pick the best avocado in the grocery story? In this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall gets answers to these questions and more when he chats with Southern California avocado farmer Al Stehly.
Dairy farmers Bret and Johanna Bossard join President Zippy Duvall to talk about life on their farm in New York and their passion to educate the next generation about agriculture. As an ag teacher, Johanna shares a unique perspective about how lessons from the farm can be translated to the classroom.
Agriculture is a diverse industry with new technologies and innovation happening regularly. Today, an innovative farming practice called aquaponics is on the rise. Aquaponics combines hydroponics and aquaculture allowing for plants to be grown without soil and instead given nutrients by an aquatic animal. On today’s Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Florida aquaponics farmer Tracy Nazzaro owner of Traders Hill Farm. Tracy explains how her farm uses tilapia to help grow romaine lettuce without soil and how this process helps her farm create healthy and sustainable produce to its customers.
On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Alabama farmers Daniel and Carla Trantham about their family farm, the challenges they experience and how young farmers and ranchers can impact the future of agriculture. Additionally, they were awarded the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award at the 2023 American Farm Bureau convention in Puerto Rico. The goal of the Young Farmers & Ranchers program is to surface, grow and develop young Farm Bureau members and provide them opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership and ensure effective Farm Bureaus.
Asking for help isn’t something that comes naturally for everyone, but it is important to know that it is okay to not be okay. On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Ohio Farmer Brandon Fullenkamp to talk about why he has become an advocate for mental health. After experiencing his own struggles and seeking help, Brandon has become passionate about discussing the importance of mental health. He is now an advocate for farmers and ranchers across the country—sharing his story and the benefits of mental health services.
Becoming a leader and an advocate is a journey. It takes not only dedication and passion but also education and training. At Farm Bureau, equipping women to be leaders and advocates for agriculture in their communities is a top priority. On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with the Women’s Leadership Committee Chair, Isabella Chism, about the many programs for women Farm Bureau offers as well as the launching of a new campaign, Ag ConnectHER, centered around advocacy and empowerment.
Sharing agriculture’s story with consumers is more important than ever. Through the power of social media, farmers have an opportunity to share their story like never before and 4th generation farmer Jon Dinsmore (aka The Green Screen Farmer) is doing just that. Each week he shows what life on his Yuma Valley, AZ farm is like with his hundreds of thousands of followers. On this episode of Farmside Chat, President Duvall chats with Jon about how he utilizes social media to reach consumers in new and creative ways.
Conservation and sustainability practices are a priority for first generation Wisconsin goat farmer Leslie Svacina. When Leslie decided to start her farm, she knew that caring for the land would be vital for its success, and the conservation programs offered through the Farm Bill were a vital tool in teaching her how to put those conservation and sustainability practices to use on her farm.
On this episode of Farmside Chat, Leslie chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about the role sustainability plays on her goat farm.
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A career in food and agriculture is meaningful and fulfilling, but few students are pursuing it. Agriculture Future of America (AFA) is determined to change this. With a missional focus solely on reaching the next generation of ag leaders, AFA is engaging and training college students across the country through its mentorship, professional development, and training programs.
On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with AFA President Mark Stewart about the many ways his organization is training the next generation of ag leaders and its importance to the future of agriculture.
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8th Generation row crop farmer and ag influencer, Zoe Kent (a.k.a. Farm with Zoe), reaches hundreds of thousands of followers through social media. In this episode, she joins President Zippy Duvall to talk about how her online presence has helped her share her ag story with not just farmers and ranchers, but consumers too.
On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Michigan asparagus farmer Jamie VanDerZanden Fekken. Located in the “Asparagus Capital of the World”, Jamie’s family has a passion for growing asparagus. She details the journey from seed to harvest and even sprinkles in her favorite asparagus recipes.
Where does food come from? What is the process of growing food? On this podcast episode, author Shannon Anderson chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about her book chronicling the journey of young girl determined to grow her own strawberries.
“I LOVE Strawberries,” is the fifth printed title from Feeding Minds Press. The book is available for purchase directly from Feeding Minds Press, as well as on Amazon. It is the winner of the 2022 Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ book and the 2023 American Farm Bureau for Agriculture’s book of the year.
This podcast episode was originally released May 2, 2022.
During the 2021 Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, Land O’ Lakes CEO Beth Ford joined Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall for a Fireside chat to discuss the most pressing challenges and priorities facing agriculture such as the farm labor, the supply chain, trade and climate-smart farming.
This podcast episode originally aired on February 1, 2021.
On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Georgia farmers Jake and Jimmy Carter of Southern Belle Farm. When faced with a question of what to do with their farm many years ago and developers knocking on their door, the Carter family decided to open the gates of their farm to the community with a mission to educate consumers about agriculture and bring families together.
Today, Southern Belle Farm is a must-see attraction for tourists from all over the world with tens of thousands of people visiting the farm each year. The farm has become one-stop shop of fun for families. Guests can enjoy watching the world-famous racing pigs, take a wagon ride, slide down the Belles Barnstormer, shoot a corn cannon, or enjoy a sweet treat such as strawberry shortcake or apple cider donuts. The farm is bringing families together and developing a love for agriculture along the way.
Running a Christmas tree farm isn’t for the faint of heart. It can take over a decade of hard work and uncertainty before a tree is ready to be sold, but there is a lot of joy that comes along with it as well. Tree farms often provide lasting memories for families with activities such as cutting your own tree and sleigh rides - even Saint Nick can make an appearance!
On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Joe Freeman owner of Mistletoe Meadows located in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Joe discusses life as a Christmas tree farmer and what he describes as his Super Bowl moment when selected as the 2007 National Christmas Tree winner and showcased the winning tree in the Blue Room at the White House.
Farmers and ranchers across the country work tirelessly every day to produce food for the U.S. and the world, but there can be a disconnect between what consumers hear about their food and the facts. Through social media, there is a growing opportunity for farmers and ranchers to connect directly with consumers to dispel misconceptions about food and share agriculture’s story.
On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Tara Vander Dussen and Natalie Kovarik, hosts of the Discover Ag podcast to discuss how they’re elevating ag and helping farmers and ranchers tell their stories.
There is a long history of soldiers going back to the farm dating back to George Washington. For Veterans, the transition from soldier to farmer is a natural one: the outdoor lifestyle, the long hours working rain or shine, the unpredictability and knowledge that people are depending on you.
On today’s Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Laura and Chris Varhola two Veterans who after 30 years in the Army decided to continue their life of service by going back to their family farm. They discuss how lessons they learned in the military helped to prepare them for life on the farm and why going back to the land was ultimately the best decision for them.
Young Farmer and Rancher Committee Chair Alisha Schwertner chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about training and empowering the next generation of farmers and ranchers to tell agriculture’s story.
Young Farmer and Rancher Committee Chair Alisha Schwertner chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about training and empowering the next generation of farmers and ranchers to tell agriculture’s story.
Oklahoma dietician and farmer Sheri Glazier chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about the misconceptions when it comes to food and nutrition and the importance ag education.
Connecticut farmers Terry and Jamie Jones chat with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about their direct marketing efforts and how focusing on agri-tourism on the farm has resulted in a deep connection with their suburban community.
Connecticut farmers Terry and Jamie Jones chat with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about their direct marketing efforts and how focusing on agri-tourism on the farm has resulted in a deep connection with their suburban community.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, President of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) and Associate Professor at Kentucky State University chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about empowering minority youth and enhancing opportunities to shape the future of agriculture.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, President of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) and Associate Professor at Kentucky State University chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about empowering minority youth and enhancing opportunities to shape the future of agriculture.
Four brothers Ben, David, Daniel and Andrew Volleman chat with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about life on a dairy farm and how their family operation delivers its products straight to consumers using innovative and sustainable technology.
Fourth-generation cotton and alfalfa grower Nancy Caywood of Arizona chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about the impact of the drought out west, her farm’s conservation story and her ag literacy efforts.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Beth Crandall, the owner of the 2020 Farm Dog of the Year and Utah Rancher, and Nicole Postin, Nestle’ Purina Pet Care Representative, to discuss the Farm Dog of the Year Contest as it enters its fifth year.
Shannon Anderson, author of Feeding Minds Press latest book “I Love Strawberries”, chats with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about her book which chronicles the journey of a young girl determined to grow her own strawberries.
The American Connection Project’s goal is to bridge the rural digital divide. We discuss the importance of broadband access to rural America and the vital role it plays in supporting and sustaining those communities around the country with Patrick Garry, an American Connection Corps Fellow, and Bruce Tiffany, a Minnesota Farmer and Lead for Minnesota Board Member.
US Farmers and Ranchers in Action CEO Erin Fitzgerald chats with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about agriculture’s sustainability gains and how farmers and ranchers are partners in addressing the challenges of a changing climate.
Description: Alaskan goat dairy farmer, Kelli Foreman, chats with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about how she built her dairy business from the ground up and has become a local staple for education and fresh ice cream.
Poinsettia and fresh-cut flower grower Frank Arnosky of Texas chats with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about the joys and challenges of growing the centerpiece bloom of the holidays.
Oregon farmer and YF&R Chair Jon Iverson and Indiana farmer Allison McKain join AFBF President Zippy Duvall to unpack some of the biggest misconceptions around agriculture. From climate to animal care, they do a little myth-busting as they share stories directly from their farms.
National 4-H Council CEO Jennifer Sirangelo chats with AFBF President, and 4-H alum, Zippy Duvall about how 4-H is channeling Gen Z’s passion for change to boost innovation and continue to drive agriculture forward.
Dick Peixoto, first generation farmer and founder of Lakeside Organic Gardens in California, shares with AFBF President Zippy Duvall how growing his business from the soil up with a focus on cultivating a spirit of family has yielded a fruitful harvest on the farm and beyond.
Trevor Bales, 6th generation Arizona hay farmer, joins AFBF President Zippy Duvall to discuss the changes his family farm has seen in its long history, the challenges facing Western farmers today and the opportunities through social media to connect with farmers and consumers around the country.
Florida watermelon grower Kevin Sanchez joins AFBF President Zippy Duvall to chat about all that goes into sustainably growing one of America’s favorite summer treats.
Pollinators are critical workers on America’s farms, and farmers across the country are taking steps to promote healthy habitats to keep pollinators thriving. In the first half of this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill discusses how efforts across the Midwest are preserving Monarch butterflies. Then, North Carolina farmer Kamal Bell shares his beekeeping knowledge and how Sankofa Farms is supporting the local community and getting the next generation excited about sustainable agriculture.
National FFA President Doster Harper and Secretary Anna Mathis share the exciting pathways for the next generation of agriculturalists and discuss with AFBF President Zippy Duvall how the future of agriculture is being shaped today.
Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot joins AFBF President Zippy Duvall to discuss how communities have come together over the last year to ensure food is getting from the farm to those who need it most.
Innovators and entrepreneurs play a key role in helping farmers find solutions to help keep their businesses efficient and sustainable. AFBF President Zippy Duvall chats with Andrew Rose of MidAtlantic Farm Credit on how investments can drive this innovative work on and off the farm, and then with 2021 Farm Bureau Entrepreneurs of the Year, Riley Clubb and James Christopher Hall, who developed Harvust, a software platform that helps farmers successfully hire, train and communicate with employees.
What will be the greatest opportunities and most pressing challenges facing agriculture and the food supply chain as we head into 2021? Land O’ Lakes CEO Beth Ford joined AFBF President Zippy Duvall for a fireside chat at the 2021 AFB Virtual Convention to discuss what’s on the horizon and how agriculture can move forward stronger together.
What does it take to grow the “perfect” Christmas tree? Johnny Wishon, owner of Wishon Evergreens in Sparta, North Carolina, joins AFBF President Duvall to discuss what happens the other 364 days a year to grow our favorite holiday centerpieces.
What are the key issues facing farm country leading up to the election? What is the importance of the rural vote? Sara Wyant, president of Agri-Pulse Communications, and Cody Lyon, AFBF’s managing director of advocacy and political affairs programs, join AFBF President Zippy Duvall to discuss.
Farm strength takes many forms and our rural communities are stronger when we come together to prioritize our mental health. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sits down with California farmer Tara Beaver Coronado and Colorado Farm Bureau Executive Vice President to discuss what tools and outlets are available to address rural stress and prioritize mental health.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, employee safety and the security of the food supply have been top priorities of farmers and food companies as the challenges of this crisis have unfolded. FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin and South Carolina farmer Chalmers Carr chat with AFBF President Duvall about what’s next as the food chain adapts to major shifts in demand, as well as efforts on the farm and in local grocery stores to protect frontline employees.
Farmers can't do the work of sustainability alone but rely on partnerships with innovative researchers and companies to provide the latest tools and technology for reducing their environmental footprint. Bayer crop scientist Dr. Calvin Treat and OptimaBio engineer Mark Maloney chat with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about the latest projects and cutting-edge technology from their companies.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the newest book from Feeding Minds Press, “Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” with American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture executive director Daniel Meloy and illustrator Ward Jenkins.
Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert and Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening join AFBF President Zippy Duvall to share on-the-ground efforts from their members and staff to get food from the farm to those who need it most in this crisis.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall is joined by Minnesota beef producer Peter Bakken and AFBF Economist Michael Nepveux to discuss the challenges facing livestock markets during COVID-19.
Come rain or shine, farmers are caring for their land and resources, leading the way in agricultural sustainability. AFBF President Zippy Duvall gets down to the numbers on impact and greenhouse gas emissions with Chief Economist John Newton and talks with Washington apple grower April Clayton about how her family farm stays green.
As America’s farmers rise to address challenges with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Executive Vice President Dale Moore discuss what agriculture faces moving forward and how farmers are doing their part to protect our food supply.
In agriculture, we talk about the disconnect between consumers and the farm. Most consumers are further removed from how their food is produced than generations before. Martin Otto, Chief Operating Officer of H-E-B and Arizona vegetable grower John Boelts join American Farm Bureau's Vice President of Communications Terri Moore to talk about the opportunity to share our story and connect with people outside our fence rows live from Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention.
The future of farming is bright with the opportunities technology and broadband bring to agriculture and rural America. In this episode, AFBF President Zippy Duvall chats with New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher and AFBF Program and Education Committee Chair Patti Fisher about their family farm in upstate New York, the importance of connecting with consumers, and their hopes for the future of agriculture.
In this special episode of Farmside Chat, AFBF President Zippy Duvall reflects on the centennial of the America Farm Bureau and chats with Hall of Fame farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson about the history and future of American agriculture.
California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson and state board member Jenny Holtermann chat with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about the challenges and opportunities facing farmers across the Golden State.
Tennessee first-generation farmer and family nurse practitioner, Matt Niswander chats with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about his work to address the opioid crisis in rural America, and Illinois member Connie Gyorr shares her daughter Marisa’s story in the hope of raising awareness and bringing healing to those struggling with addiction.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue about his mission in serving America’s farmers and ranchers, the challenges and opportunities of modern farming, and what they both see on the horizon for U.S. agriculture.