Grassroots: Recent Episodes
Grassroots : Utah Farm Bureau Podcast
Hosted by the Utah Farm Bureau, the Grassroots Podcast's mission is to provide a platform for agricultural producers to share their stories and engage with consumers. In a market demanding transparency and understanding, we hope to share the successes and trials of Agriculture. In true Grassroots fashion, these interviews go straight to the source.
In this episode we invite YF&Rs to learn more about the contests and award programs available through Utah Farm Bureau. These programs offer professional development and guided business growth with cash prizes, four wheelers, and gators to boot. Listen as last years winners get into the details of what set their application apart and give tips and tricks to those applying!
We're back! Its a hard time of year to catch a farmer/rancher with a few mins to spare. So in this episode we talk about YF&R contests and read an article from the AFBF newsroom about how dairy farmers need a seat at the table in milk pricing policy.
Part Two- Continuing the discussion with the Director of Animal Industry and the State Veterinarian. We dive deeper into the structure of the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture, as well as some issues that are unique to Utah.
Part One- Meet the Director of Animal Industry and the State Veterinarian talk with us about their roles and the structure of the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture.
In this mini-episode we read two articles that explain a unique solution that helps farmers and ranchers move their products to those in need.
Courtesy of the Corona Virus, the world has had an acute shift in perspective about our food system. We seem to be more aware of the important links in the chain that get our food conveniently to the grocery store. More then ever i've seen people thanking truck drivers and food producers. The Hawkes Family is both of those. Although this episode was recorded before Corona Virus started to impact our lives, it is really interesting to hear the perspective of a family that both grows your food and hauls it to you.
Farmers and Ranchers often battle with mother nature. This episode is a story taking this challenge and diving deep into finding a solution. There is nothing better than receiving a perfect natural dew when baling. However, perfect dew conditions are few and far between for many hay producers. Often, the hay is either too dry or too wet, and if you’re lucky, you may have a small window of opportunity when the hay is just right. In this episode we talk about how some creative thinking from the Stahelis solved this problem, and discuss the significance of trouble shooting and innovation.
Established in 1998, Premium meat company is a full-service family owned and operated butcher shop. In this episode we spoke with Travis and Tyona Price who are part of family the team that custom harvests and processes meat. We all to often jump from the farm to the table—but the people in between the two are really important. In speaking to him Travis mentioned that “its not a glamorous job”, but I can tell he truly enjoys it. And finds value and pride the work that he does. Together we talk about food safety, consumer education, meat quality, and some of the outside influences in the world of agriculture that effect butchers.
At Heber Valley Artisan Cheese their mission is to help others experience the difference of the farmer’s touch. Their fully integrated dairy farm to creamery delivers a true farm-to-table experience. In fact, the Kohler family believes the finest handcrafted cheeses, fresh or aged, begins with the perfect base: premium milk – pure, rich and creamy; a “recipe” the Kohler's have been perfecting on their farm for nearly 100 years. In this episode Russ Kohler addresses some major misconceptions of the dairy industry.
When is "Big Agriculture" considered "Big"? What is a grassroots organization? What can consumers do to support agriculture? The American Farm Bureau President addresses these topics and more. His story is valuable to both consumers and producers.
What does our food eat? If that isn’t a tough enough question, I also asked Heidi Wayment, of IFA’s feed division, to tackle antibiotic use in animal production! She shed light on the fact that animal nutrition and wellness is of utmost importance to producers and the points she makes are fascinating. Tune in to learn about an animal's diet and why antibiotics WILL NOT be found in your menu.
Agricultural Educators are raising arguably the most important crop in the state. This youth development program teaching high school aged student about agriculture, leadership, and more. True to its roots in "learning by doing", FFA programs provide hands on experiences for students all over Utah
In this episode we read an article from farmbureau.org that addresses the stereotypes associated with the word "Factory Farming".
Imagine doing your job everyday with an audience you invited to follow you around. Sherrie is a farmer who has opened her doors and gates to allow others to spend time on the farm. She is fun and creative and spreads joy to her community of St. George. Tune in to hear her story of bringing the farm back to the city.
Much of the food and fiber grown in this country make it’s way around the world to people in foreign countries. The fact that US farmers and ranchers are so efficient that we can serve these markets is to be celebrated. Meet a man whose job is to coordinate exports to Asia and the Middle East from the small northern Utah town of Tremonton.
In our "minisodes" we will read an article from the Utah Farm Bureau Countryside Magazine, News Paper, or cover Utah Farm Bureau Policy. These episodes are typically shorter in length. This first minisode is a reading of Zippy Duval's Article titled "Family Comes First".
Chemicals, we hear about them, we see the images but when was the last time you visited with someone who actually works with them every day? Did you know that use of chemicals actually contributes to soil health, sustainability in agriculture, and they even care about the safety of pollinators? If you don’t know what those things are, listen in!
The beautiful things in life bring us joy and wonder. These farmers have the unique opportunity to connect with their consumers on some of the most wonderful days of their lives by bringing floriculture to the lives of those in their community. It started with a spark of an idea and blossomed from there, tune in to listen to their adventure of establishing their local roots.
Brad & Jenny Osguthorpe decided early on in our marriage that they wanted to continue working on the Osguthorpe family farm, but also wanted to start their own ranch. They acquired 1,000 ewes and began Circle JB Ranch & Livestock, a rangeland sheep operation. They run on private land, National Forest and BLM all of which is located in the state of Utah and Wyoming.
Real. Good. Food. This family owned produce farm in west Weber,Utah has been around fro generations. Jamila and Kenny McFarland share their story with us. The McFarlands farm sweet corn, onions, winter squash, pumpkins, and industrial hemp. This episode includes demystifies big box store produce. We also talk about the H2A Agricultural Labor program, and what it is like being one of the first industrial hemp growers in the state.
Community Supported Agriculture, Farm and Food Blog, consumer engagement... Alli Kelley from Longbourn Farm does it all. In this episode we hear about how Alli interact with her many followers and what some of the biggest misconceptions in agriculture are.
Welcome to the podcast. Erin Sorenson and Laura Holmgren are two young farmers and ranchers in the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. This episode addresses the "why" of this podcast and introduces you to the girls behind the mic.