“Her presentation empowers agriculture to tell its story with credibility, respect, and impact. Michele helped me navigate tough conversations with compassion for the urbanites who have little connection to where their food comes from.”
- Jeannette Andrashewski, Canadian Canola Farmer
What drives Michele to write? ▶ Bridging the gap from farm to food with story and science.
"You are a gift to agriculture – you do an amazing job connecting non-ag folks to agriculture in a relatable and logical way that's welcoming and opens the door to a deeper understanding.”
- Lana Frantzen, PhD, RDN, DairyMAX
Dr. Folta emphasizes that technology has given us access to the safest, most abundant food supply in human history, and this access is worthy of appreciation – not fear. He wants dietitians to look for the evidence behind mRNA and genetics in food, rather than believing clickbait. As new technology continues to help strengthen our food system, communicating the science behind it will strengthen consumer trust.
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 hope dietitians can help.
Heat index crisis. 10,000 cattle dead. A lot of...
“Kids are dirty and if you’re worried about what you’re feeding them, you’re a good a mom.” says this millennial mom who prioritizes low-cost food at the grocery store. Brandi Buzzard Frobose is a rancher and environmentalist who offers insight on how the science of producing food is remarkable, along with the care that farmers and ranchers provide for the planet. She’s not a fan of the mud while she’s ranching in Kansas, but loves to go roping at the rodeo as a cowgirl.
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.
Artificial insemination. Vegetarian choices. The Oscars. STDs. Greenhouse gas emissions. Baby calves. Nursing. Starbucks. Nutrient density of food. Personal choices.
If those topics don’t add up to a civil conversation in your mind, listen in for a model on how to have a discussion around food and the environment that’s respectful and informative with someone different than you.
Housing is used to protect animals-and your...
Did you know that beef cattle have been bred to...
Is it really possible a label on food is...
Remember the first time you heard a...
Just as “This Is Us” has created hysteria around slow cookers, “documentaries” have created hysteria around meat and milk. Are we really so unaware the difference between fiction and good television that we can’t recognize reality?
If you’ve never experienced a fair from the inside, it’s like final exams and Christmas all wrapped into an intense one or two weeks filled with more sweat and dirt than you can imagine. It’s both exhausting and exhilarating. I have been involved in fairs my entire life, but am always amazed watching 4-H and FFA members learn life lessons through the trials of diligently preparing a project, talking with a judge and then nervously anticipating the outcome. Sometimes, the ribbon is blue. Other times it’s red. And if they’re lucky, the coveted purple or pink ribbons may be put on a project.
The reality is that ribbons fade and are eventually stashed away in boxes, forgotten about. It’s the stories behind the ribbons that are remembered for a lifetime. A look at the care and respect young people give their animals behind the scenes at the fairgrounds.
Do I need to worry about antibiotics in milk? How are dairy farmers treating calves? Are the animals taken care of so I can feel good about the milk I’m feeding my family? Two videos answer questions about food safety, testing and animal welfare to give you an insider look on a farm.