Articles
A plea to agriculture during Coronavirus: show compassion, provide assurance
The COVID-19 pandemic calls for agriculture to offer our neighbors reassurance about the stability of their food supply. Show compassion in the face of fear. Demonstrate resiliency by talking about coping with the very real struggles agriculture faces. Connect on a human level. Help build confidence in the food system. Isn’t now the time to offer hope and be a bright spot for someone else?
Read MoreWhere food grows, bugs go: Episode 31
Wine. Tomatoes. Green beans. Tofu. What may sound like a menu is actually what one farm grows. Jennie Schmidt shares how she produces so many crops, why her farm transitioned from organic to conventional to be more sustainable, and what food bullying terms like factory farming mean to her family farm.
Read MoreHow now, brown cow? Why a dairy farmer talks to his cows: Episode 29
Are dairy farmers crazy? Maybe, but it’s because they always put their cows first. Derrick Josi, known as TDF Honest Farming, is an Oregon dairy farmer encouraging other farmers to bridge the gap with consumers – and understand the divide goes both ways. He talks about his little brown cows, while Michele accuses him of being a cow racist. Derrick shares the mental health impact of bullying by activists, how he actually cares for cows, and the work that goes into producing healthy milk.
Read MoreAre your hands a food safety risk? Episode 28
Did you know that only 8% of males wash their hands after using the restroom? And those people might have picked up or touched the apple you just bought? Hygiene is important – both on your hands and in your kitchen. It’s a greater concern than the chemicals many worry about. Meat scientist Jennie Hodgen loves to talk about bacteria, meat cuts, cleaning produce, and keeping your food safe. “The food you’re getting has gone through quite a bit of rigor from a food safety stand point.” She helps us remember that food safety done well is invisible.
Read MoreAre You Eating Beyond the Headlines? Episode 27
Are you leaving foods out of your diet? You can run the risk of creating health issues if you are leaving out major food groups, like carbohydrates. “Our bodies need a variety of nutrients, which are obtained from variety of foods in our diet” points out Neva Cochran, a registered dietitian nutritionist. When you eliminate most of the foods in your diet, you are not going to be adequately nourished and may not have enough calories. Great tips on balanced diet choices!
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