Scientific curiosity can change the conversation about nutrition, whether from a food, farm, or dietetic perspective. Likewise, scientific illiteracy can leave people susceptible to food bullying. Listen to this latest episode of the Food Bullying podcast and learn about how a new book can help you better communicate science.

Amy Hays is currently the Assistant Director at the Oka Institute at East Central University, focused on sustainable water solutions, land stewardship, water research, and policy. She lives on a small ranch in Oklahoma. Her passion for science literacy inspired her to start For Science Sake, a project that helps people enhance their outreach and engagement, which lead to her co-authoring the new Science Story Speak  with Michele Payn to help re-build trust in science around the food plate.

“Science is being questioned and denied like never before in this era of divisiveness, inflated food prices, and social media. Decisions are often made based on emotions, rather than evidence. Yet science has never been more critical for addressing major challenges like food security, climate change, and public health.”

Science Story Speak helps you change the way you communicate and builds belief in scientific advancements. Declining trust in science hurts agriculture by limiting progress in modern farming technologies, hindering hunger relief, expanding regulations, increasing consumer questions about farming, and contributing to mental health challenges.

Amy also notes “There’s a common misconception that farming and ranching are dominated by corporate farms using harmful, environmentally unfriendly practices. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. Most farms and ranches are family-owned, and the folks running them care deeply about their crops and animals. They have to — their commitment to stewardship means everything because agriculture is tightly regulated, more so than many others. If they don’t do things right, they simply won’t last.”

Learn more about Amy’s work at 4sciencesake.com or the newly released Science Story Speak at ScenceStorySpeak.com.

What happens when a science communicator and a food bullying expert co-author a book? A conversation that dietitians, farmers, and agricultural organizations desperately need.

In this episode of the Food Bullying Podcast, Michele is joined by Amy Hays — rancher, scientist, and founder of For Science Sake — to dig into why science literacy matters for everyone at the food table, and what’s at stake when it breaks down. Together, she and Michele co-authored Science Story Speak, a practical guide for communicating science in an era when emotions routinely outrun evidence.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why modern farming and ranching systems are more sustainable and efficient than most consumers realize — and how that story gets lost
• The real connection between soil health, animal health, and human nutrition — and why dietitians need to understand all three
• How food misinformation creates genuine mental health pressure on farmers, contributing to one of agriculture’s least-discussed crises
• Why consumer demands like excessive traceability and carbon credit mandates can quietly make nutritious food less affordable — especially for lower-income families
• Practical steps dietitians can take to better communicate agricultural science to clients, even without hands-on farm experience

For dietitians: You don’t need to grow crops to understand food production. Amy and Michele make the case that even a monthly conversation with a farmer can fundamentally change how you translate agricultural science for your clients.

For agricultural organizations and agribusinesses: Science literacy isn’t just a consumer problem — it’s a competitive one. When the public can’t evaluate evidence, fear-based marketing wins.

For farmers and ranchers: This episode validates what you already know: the science is on your side. The challenge is communicating it without sounding defensive.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Science Story Speak by Amy Hays and Michele Payn — ScienceStorySpeak.com
• For Science Sake — 4sciencesake.com

Ready to bring this conversation to your organization? Michele speaks to agricultural groups, agribusinesses, and dietitian associations on food bullying, science communication, and rebuilding consumer trust in farming. Book Michele to speak →