Connecting Gate
to Plate Blog
Insights on food, agriculture, and the science of communicating what matters most.
Featured Posts
Apples, fungi, & pheromones: Episode 101
Michigan apple farmer Nick Schweitzer explains why fungicides protect your fruit, how pheromones replace insecticides, and why the dirty dozen list misrepresents how apples are sustainably grown.
Dietitian + farmer = sweet scent of Froot Loops + cows: Episode 100
Listen in as Michele & Nicol divulge their biggest nutrition and supermarket pet peeves, the greatest takeaways from the show, and their thoughts on how farmers and dietitians can continue to collaborate across the plate for the benefit of the consumer.
Farm families, FFA, & the future of food: Episode 99
If Hannah Craun and Levi Schiller are any indication, the future of farming certainly shines bright in FFA members. While both emphasize the importance of modern agriculture in feeding a growing population, they recognize that certain technologies are misunderstood and …
Farm families, FFA, & the future of food: Episode 99
If Hannah Craun and Levi Schiller are any indication, the future of farming certainly shines bright. Craun, a masters student at Virginia Tech focusing on cattle reproduction, and Schiller, an Ag Business major at The University of Nebraska, boast numerous awards and…
Farm families, FFA, & the future of food: Episode 99
If Hannah Craun and Levi Schiller are any indication, the future of farming certainly shines bright. Craun, a masters student at Virginia Tech focusing on cattle reproduction, and Schiller, an Ag Business major at The University of Nebraska, boast numerous awards and…
Prune power for brains, bones & guts: Episode 98
Prunes have an awareness problem. They have been for so long paralleled with digestion, and yet they may be best super fruits on the market – good source of fiber and an excellent source of Vitamin K, an essential bone nutrient. “People have fear and anxiety around buyi…
Prune power for brains, bones & guts: Episode 98
Natalie Mariani Kling is a fourth generation family member of premium dried fruit company, which was started by her great grandfather in 1906 in what is now Silicon Valley. “My family and I are committed to ‘inspire healthy living’ and being a real solution for busy…
Waste not, want not: Episode 97
Food prices increased a painful 13% in 2022. Yet Americans waste about $218 billion of food the U.S. and food is the single largest component taking up space inside of our landfills. RDN Rosanne Rust offers practical ways to reduce food waste in the home to save money a…
It’s really soy good: Episode 96
How is soy a part of your diet? Maryland farmer Belinda Burrier talks about high oleic soybean oil, GMOs, international demand, the health benefits of soy, and so much more in the latest Food Bullying podcast.
The plant power of peanuts: Episode 95
Do you know the latest research on peanuts & allergens? Or that these protein essential grow in the ground? Or that the peanut plant is a legume that is rotated with other crops to help with soil health? Whether you like crunch or smooth peanut butter in your diet, the …
Overcoming GMO food OMG: Episode 94
Take the gene as a sentence in a book. Copy that sentence (gene) into another book. Now scientists can put the gene into a specific paragraph. Farmer Paul Hodgen uses this example to explain genetic modification in food. He has worked with GMOs – genetically modified or…
You CAN cut food costs & add nutrients: Episode 93
Want to save money in the grocery store? Need a quick way to add nutrients? Canned foods may be your answer – and they are NOT filled with salt, sugar, and BPA. Listen in to learn more about the power of the can in this Food Bullying podcast .
Sweetpotatoes – the super vegetable: Episode 92
Heather Barnes thinks the sweetpotato should wear a cape because it’s such a nutrition powerhouse. And did you know the proper way to spell sweetpotatoes is without a space between the two words? Heather is a Marketing Specialist with the North Carolina Department of…
Sweetpotatoes – the super vegetable: Episode 92
Heather Barnes thinks the sweetpotato should wear a cape because it’s such a nutrition powerhouse. And did you know the proper way to spell sweetpotatoes is without a space between the two words?
Greenhouse effect, grass-fed & grain-fed beef: Episode 91
Is grass-fed beef really better for human health and the environment? “Many times this is promoted by those who are far removed from agriculture. Or they base it on one nutrient such as short chain omega-3 fatty acids. My scientific take: there are system trade-offs, no…
A dietetic legend of learning & laughing: Episode 90
Leslie Bonci has filled four decades as a dietitians with certifications, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetic offices, and building an amazing practice of serving athletes & real people. Leslie is all about helping clients discover their best through knowledge,…
The science & food safety of salads: Episode 86
Growing greens and delivering them safely to your plate is more complex than you might believe. Did you know that there are over 400 family farms behind the big brands of lettuce you see in your grocery store? Dan Sutton is general manager of the Pismo-Oceano…
Lamb lessons for dietitians: Episode 89
Did you know that a three ounce serving of lamb delivers 23 grams of protein – almost 50% of your daily protein needs? Lamb is a great meat, but largely misunderstood. Michigan farmer Elaine Palm wants to change that. She is a partner on her family’s farm in Michigan,…
Food costs, farming, & Mother Nature: Episode 88
Paula Peterson is a farmer from eastern Nebraska and she loves to share the story of their Tom Peterson Farm. As a mom and grandma, she knows how painful 11% inflation in food has been in 2022. Paula understands peoples concerns and wants to create conversations to addr…
Dairy + dietitians = nutrition powerhouse: Episode 87
RDN Lauren Twigge believes dietitians need to become more educated on agriculture so that they can guide consumers and not add to further confusion. Growing up on a dairy and being raised around farming her whole life has given Lauren a unique perspective on where our f…
The science & food safety of salads: Episode 86
Growing greens and delivering them safely to your plate is more complex than you might believe. Did you know that there are over 400 family farms behind the big brands of lettuce you see in your grocery store? Dan Sutton is general manager of the Pismo-Oceano…
The science & food safety of salads: Episode 86
Growing greens and delivering them safely to your plate is more complex than you might believe. Did you know that there are over 400 family farms behind the big brands of lettuce you see in your grocery store? Dan Sutton is general manager of the Pismo-Oceano Vegetable …
The science & food safety of salads: Episode 86
Dan Sutton, greens grower
Big chicken breast B.S.: Episode 85
Chicken bull speak (B.S.): chickens are pumped full of hormones and steroids, broiler chickens are raised in cages, mass confusion between layers and broilers, chickens are genetically modified and “big” is bad. This Food Bullying podcast episode features Tom Super to a…
Cattle, Conspiracy, & Kansas Heat: Episode 84
Heat index crisis. 10,000 cattle dead. A lot of questions. Claims of conspiracy. Disgust. Physical exhaustion. Emotionally drained. All of these describe what happened in early June in southwest Kansas. DVM Tera Barnhardt explains how cattle overheated in a rare event…
Cattle, Conspiracy, & Kansas Heat: Episode 84
DVM explains why overheated beef cattle died
Dietitians defending farmers? Episode 83
Dustin Moore is a dietitian active in research, education, and public health communication who thinks it’s time for RDNs to circle the wagons around agriculture. His favorite topics of discussion include food production, agriculture, public policy, and culture.
Stop food guilt over cow burps & beef: Episode 82
Everything we eat has a direct impact on the environment. Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a cattle rancher from Kansas and the misinformation about methane, hormones, antibiotics and more is disheartening to her. Listen in to learn how she grows beef.
Stop food guilt over cow burps & beef: Episode 82
Debbie Lyons-Blythe on meat & methane
Bacon, bullies, and breaded tenderloins: Episode 81
Bacon isn’t fat, but pork is? Pigs as big time bullies. Ways to cook your pork so it’s tender. Pig Farmer Leon Sheets shares insight on all of these and why he cares as a pork producer.
Chatting cranberries: when they float, why they are diet go to, and more!
Amber is a fifth generation Wisconsin cranberry grower and mom raising the first of the sixth generation. She’s a farmer working alongside her entire family and now trying to navigate the work life balance with a new baby.
Why a dietitian from the Bronx works with farmers: Episode 79 (relaunch!)
Author Michele Payn and RDN Nicole have teamed up help dietitians and consumers get firsthand perspective from farmers about how food is grown. Listen in to learn more about the newly relaunched podcast.
Growing agriculture’s people: a stress management tool
Farm owners and workers are more likely to die by suicide than any other occupation. Veterinarians are 2.7x as likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Startling statistics, but a very real look at the stress levels impacting all of us in agriculture. Thes…
Stress management tools for the humans of agriculture
Weather, Changing markets. Lost contracts. Working with family. The chronic stressors in agriculture are prevalent and 2021 brings a whole new level of uncertainty, which is why I’m livestreaming conversations about stress management tools to celebrate National Ag Week.…
Stress, choices, and farewell: Episode 78
Anyone else feeling overwhelmed? Michele and Eliz talk ranging conversation about stress, overwhelm, uncertainty, and choice in 2021. Much of their conversation is based on Eliz’s new book, “Stress-Proof Your Life” in this final episode of the food bullying podcast.…
Chemicals and doctors and food, oh my! Episode 77
Dr. Liza Dunn is an emergency physician and medical toxicologist who went to Haiti twice on humanitarian missions and came home thinking about golden rice. She explains why pesticides protect public health, why glyphosate is safe, and why the history of insecticides is …
Chemicals and doctors and food, oh my!
Did you know soldiers used to carry flowers into battle to keep them healthy? Dr. Liza Dunn joins Michele and Eliz for a fascinating conversation about pesticides, nutrition, herbicides, and why doctors need to stay in their lane. Liza Dunn is a mom of 3 boys and a…
Nutrition science is a puzzle: Episode 76
Can we trust the information we hear about nutrition? Why does nutritional advice change? Does it have to be this confusing? Does the source of science funding matter? Michele and Eliz are joined by Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Elieke Kearns for a lively discussion…
Good Soil Is Like Chocolate Cake: Episode 75
Steve Tucker didn’t set out to become a regenerative farmer. He set out to stay in business. Hear how a Nebraska producer moved from wheat and summer fallow to 14 crops, tripled his soil organic matter, and discovered that the elevator was never his real customer.
Picking out ice cream, sensationalized science, & misinformation: Episode 74
Has an increase of leisure time during the pandemic made us more distrustful of science? Can we pick and choose what science we believe like we do flavors of ice cream? Michele and Eliz are joined by two scientists, Dr. Meghan Wulster- Radcliffe and Dr. Stuart Smyth to …
Picking out ice cream, sensationalized science, & misinformation: Episode 74
Dr. Meghan Wulster- Radcliffe & Dr. Stuart Smyth on food bullying
Animal welfare, veal, and filtered milk – ask a vet! Episode 73
This episode features a wide-ranging conversation with a veterinarian about how farmers care for their animals, the challenges of being a vet, and the story of Fairlife Milk.
Pharmacist talks food, drugs, & rural mental health: Episode 72
Jason Meadows is a pharmacist and rancher in rural Missouri who started a mental health podcast after a burning baler and a long drive home from Dallas changed his perspective. He explains why rural pharmacists may be the most underutilized mental health resource in agr…
Can food really boost your immunity? Episode 71
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Leslie Bonci is back with the truth about immunity-boosting foods, why your gut health is essential, and, of course – lots of laughs with Michele and Eliz! There’s a reason she returns as a three-peat guest – and this episode will h…
Food is sacred: how farmers help the hungry – Episode 70
What happens when the market for farm products disappears and there are hungry people in the community? In Utah it led to farmers delivering food to Navajo families, including lamb – a sacred food. Ron Gibson shares the heartwarming story the remarkable effort to in…
Food is sacred: how farmers help the hungry
Farmers Feeding Utah
Are you one emergency away from food insecurity? Episode 69
“Many people are one emergency away from food insecurity,” says First Lady of Wyoming Jennie Gordon. She has made fighting hunger in Wyoming her mission. In this installment of our November Hunger Series, we discuss how Wyoming is banning the “sandwich of shame…
Compassion is key to solving hunger: Episode 68
“Food elitist ideas are a problem, not a solution for hunger.” We continue our focus on hunger and food insecurity with a poignant conversation about compassion with Clancy Harrison of The Food Dignity Project. Clancy is a self-professed “recovering food snob” and s…
How do you listen to hunger? Episode 67
Our November hunger series kicks off with one of our favorite guests, anti-hunger advocate Diane Sullivan. She shares how COVID-19 has impacted people who are experiencing food insecurity. For example, did you know people who use SNAP benefits aren’t able to use groce…
Growing cranberries and sustainability: Episode 66
Cranberries! One of the stars of autumn tables evokes beautiful images, wonderful scents, and a distinct taste. We discover how cranberries are grown and harvested sustainably in this episode, plus why we shouldn’t be afraid of the “sugar” in these nutritious berr…