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Groundwork

Farm Policy Facts•groundwork.podbean.com
News & Politics
Groundwork is a must-listen podcast for policymakers, farmers and ranchers, media, and all interested in agricultural policy. Hear straight from the heartland of America – no filler, just the facts.
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Episodes

Ep. 41 (Brad Finstad, U.S Representative (R-MN) and 4th-generation farmer)

Rep. Finstad represents Minnesota’s First Congressional District and currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee. He’s also a fourth-generation farmer raising seven kids, the upcoming fifth-generation, with his wife Jackie. The Congressman joined us on the Groundwork podcast to discuss the happenings of the 118th Congress, the odds of a Farm Bill in 2024, and more key topics impacting producers across the United States.

Mar 28, 2024•28 min•Ep. 42

Ep. 40 (Dr. Joe Outlaw, Family Farmers Leading the way on Food Security)

Most of us take our abundant supply of food for granted. We’d say we’re lucky – but it’s not luck. It’s thanks to the hard work of America’s farming families and smart farm policies supported by Congress. A new study from the acclaimed economists Drs. Joe Outlaw and Bart Fischer at the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M , and specially prepared for the Southwest Council of Agribusiness , takes a closer look at these policies and their impact on farm families. Dr. Outlaw joined ...

Feb 07, 2024•27 min•Ep. 41

Ep. 38 (Richard Syverson, 4th-generation farmer & Minnesota Corn Growers Association president)

Last summer, corn had a golden moment when seven-year-old Tariq was interviewed about his love for corn in a video that permeated pop culture. That same year, nearly 90 million acres of corn were planted across the United States, providing a valuable food source and driving economic growth in rural communities. We recently called up Richard Syverson, a fourth-generation farmer and president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), for our most recent episode of the Groundwork podcast. R...

Sep 28, 2023•22 min•Ep. 39

Ep. 37 (Ryan Williamson & Piper Merritt, Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers)

Did you know the average age of an American farmer is almost 58 years old? It’s a startling statistic, considering the vital role of farmers in our daily lives. With a growing global population and a dwindling number of farmers and ranchers, it’s critical that farm policies support the next generation of producers. Thankfully, the National FFA Organization , made up of over 850,000 students across the nation, is working hard to grow interest in agriculture, expand agricultural education, and dev...

Jul 27, 2023•24 min•Ep. 38

Ep. 36 (Dr. Bart Fischer, Federal Investments in Farm Policy)

It’s budget season on Capitol Hill, and when it comes to the federal budget, there is no better investment than farm policy. That’s because only a fraction of a percent of federal spending is directed towards the farm safety net. Yet, that small budget supports family farmers, protects our national food security, and drives economic growth. Dr. Bart Fischer, a Farm Bill veteran and co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University, joins Farm Policy Fact’s Ground...

Apr 18, 2023•23 min•Ep. 37

Ep. 35 (Chairman Glenn ”GT” Thompson, House Agriculture Committee)

Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, knows there's a sense of urgency to pass a Farm Bill before the current legislation expires on October 1. “Rural America needs it,” he explained on the most recent episode of Farm Policy Fact's Groundwork podcast . “Our farmers, ranchers, and foresters, our processors – key stakeholders in rural America – demand it. And we need to do our job.” Listen to the full episode to hear Chairman Thompson's insights on the 2023 ...

Feb 10, 2023•31 min•Ep. 36

Ep. 34 (Ray Starling, Author of Farmers versus Foodies)

It’s a rallying cry pushed by special-interest groups and farm policy critics: dismantle the U.S. food system! But a fundamental misunderstanding of how our food is grown leads to bad ideas and even worse policy. Ray Starling, a former White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture official, explores this debate in his new book "Farmers versus Foodies."

Dec 19, 2022•34 min•Ep. 35

Ep. 33 (Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis, American Sugar Alliance)

As Thanksgiving approaches, food prices might be a topic of conversation around your dinner table. Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) and the former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), joined Farm Policy Facts on our Groundwork podcast to talk about the importance of an affordable and accessible supply of American-made sugar.

Nov 23, 2022•29 min•Ep. 34

Ep. 32 (Jim Sugarek, 6th Generation Farmer, president of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness)

When you look at farms across the American southwest, you’re struck by the incredible diversity of agriculture. Rice, poultry, timber, peanuts, pecans, cotton, corn and “all the vegetables you can imagine” help fuel our national food and fiber supply. Jim Sugarek, president of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, told the Groundwork podcast that each of the half a million farms across the southwest have one thing in common: “They are fathers and daughters, they’re husbands and wives. They are ...

Oct 19, 2022•18 min•Ep. 33

Ep. 31 (Jennifer James, Arkansas Rice Farmer)

With a Farm Bill on the horizon, Congress is already hearing from policy wonks, think tank experts, and DC insiders about what they think legislation should say. But the most important voice in this conversation is the American farmer. So, we asked fourth-generation rice farmer Jennifer James to join us on the Groundwork podcast and provide her perspective on the challenges facing agriculture, especially the unique set of circumstances facing rice growers. Learn more at FarmPolicyFacts.org....

Aug 18, 2022•21 min•Ep. 32

Ep. 30 (August Pfluger, Congressman for Texas’ 11th district)

When August Pfluger decided to join the Air Force, he drew upon a deeply ingrained desire to put service before self. Now, as the congressman representing Texas’ 11th district, Pfluger recognizes that same motivation in the small number of hardworking men and women who farm and ranch to provide all Americans with food, fuel, and fiber. “It’s very difficult what that one percent of the population does to farm and ranch and provide food for every single American, because every American eats,” he r...

Jul 01, 2022•27 min•Ep. 31

Ep. 29 (Jocelyn Schlichting, Fourth-Generation Minnesota Farmer)

Jocelyn Schlichting is a fourth-generation farmer who recently joined Farm Policy Facts on our Groundwork podcast to talk about the future of agriculture. Jocelyn returned to the farm five years ago after working as an accountant in corporate America, finding new purpose in growing the food that helps feed America, and the world. Jocelyn is much more likely to be found in front of a computer than driving a combine. She uses her accounting and analytical skills to help her family make data-driven...

Jun 07, 2022•16 min•Ep. 30

Ep. 28 (Joanie Grimes, Crop Insurance Agent)

In America, approximately 220,000 farming and ranching families raise 80 percent of the crops and livestock that feed and clothe our nation. All 330 million of us. “That is a very big task for a very small group of people,” crop insurance agent Joanie Grimes recently told Farm Policy Facts on our Groundwork podcast It’s a task that comes with big risks, too. Joanie, an agent with the Auburn Agency in Ohio and a board member of the Crop Insurance Professionals Association (CIPA), joined Groundwor...

Apr 29, 2022•23 min•Ep. 29

Ep. 27 (Paul Neiffer, The Farm CPA)

Benjamin Franklin once famously said, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. So, we invited Paul Neiffer, Principal at CliftonLarsonAllen and author of the blog Farm CPA Today , to join us on the Groundwork podcast to discuss how current – and proposed – tax provisions affect our farmers.

Mar 31, 2022•22 min•Ep. 28

Ep. 26 (Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy)

When we think of farming, the food on our plates and clothes on our backs likely comes to mind. But what about the fuel in our cars? Ethanol is a low-carbon, high-performance biofuel made from American-grown crops such as corn and sorghum. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, the nation’s largest ethanol trade association, joined us on Groundwork to talk more about how farmers help fuel America.

Mar 15, 2022•14 min•Ep. 27

Ep. 25 (Kevin Van Trump, Who Are America’s Family Farmers?)

Kevin Van Trump has built a successful career translating the economics of agriculture as president and founder of Farm Direction and author of the Van Trump Report . So, when USDA released its updated report on America’s Diverse Family Farms – a critical report on American farm production, but one that is easily open to misinterpretation and misuse by farm policy critics – we knew we had to get Kevin’s insights....

Feb 09, 2022•22 min•Ep. 26

Ep. 24 (Dr. Bart Fischer, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M and Co-Director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center)

Challenges in the cattle markets are not new, but the pandemic has herded these problems to the forefront with historic packer profits – a function of spreads between the prices ranchers are paid for their cattle and the prices people pay at the grocery store or other retail markets for beef. In the wake of these unprecedented conditions, Congress commissioned a new report from the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) to examine fed cattle pricing, packing capacity, and related issues....

Nov 17, 2021•28 min•Ep. 25

Ep. 23 (Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe)

More than ten years ago, Michelle Miller gave up gluten and swore off GMOs after believing the pervasive misinformation often peddled online about modern-day farming. Then, she fell in love with a real-life farmer – and with farming itself. Now, Miller is arming everyday Americans with the real facts about agriculture. It’s all part of her mission as the Farm Babe .

Oct 05, 2021•21 min•Ep. 24

Ep. 22 (Jack Roney, America’s Sweetest Expert Talks Sugar Policy)

“I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve sustained a sugar policy that has operated at zero cost to taxpayers,” Jack Roney, the veteran sugar economist, said on a recent episode of Groundwork while reflecting on his storied career at the American Sugar Alliance (ASA). “I’m particularly proud of that because I think our sugar farmers are among some of the best in the world at what they do.” Roney would know. After 25 years of working at ASA, and nearly 50 years total working in agriculture, there m...

Sep 13, 2021•21 min•Ep. 23

Ep. 21 (Steve Verett, Champion for Cotton Growers)

For decades, West Texas cotton growers have had a fearless champion on their side: Steve Verett. As the recently retired CEO of Plains Cotton Growers, Verett advocated for both cotton growers and all of agriculture with passion and authenticity. Verett joined Farm Policy Fact’s Groundwork podcast to reflect on his career and talk about what lies ahead for the next generation of farm leaders.

Aug 18, 2021•25 min•Ep. 22

Ep. 20 (Dr. Tryon Wickersham, Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition at Texas A&M University)

A small group of radical environmentalists have declared war on America’s cattle producers and sworn off burgers, all with the dubious claim of fighting climate change. We wanted to dig into the real story behind this beef with beef. So, we called up Dr. Tryon Wickersham, an Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition at Texas A&M University, to give Groundwork listeners the facts about cattle production in America.

Aug 06, 2021•21 min•Ep. 21

Ep. 19 (Mark Isbell, A Farmer's Perspective on Climate Change)

While it can be easy to get caught up in buzzwords or trending policy ideas when it comes to climate change, America’s farmers and ranchers are already doing the hard work to increase resiliency and efficiency. They’re the original conservationists. Rather than build a policy that works on Capitol Hill but not on the farm, Arkansas rice farmer Mark Isbell instead recommends that we look to rural America to identify existing opportunities to support farmers and ranchers through smart policy....

Jun 17, 2021•19 min•Ep. 20

Ep. 18 (Kevin Brinkley, President and CEO of the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association)

Kevin Brinkley, President and CEO of the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA), joined Farm Policy Fact’s Groundwork podcast to discuss the importance of infrastructure to efficient global trade. Brinkley also addressed the need for Congress to examine the problems facing agricultural exports at America’s ports.

May 25, 2021•17 min•Ep. 19

Ep. 17 (Collin Peterson, Former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee)

Collin Peterson, former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, recently retired from Congress after thirty years of service to America’s farmers and ranchers. His retirement was short-lived. Collin Peterson is utilizing his decades of expertise to once again tackle the challenges facing rural America and joined Groundwork to discuss what's on the horizon for farm policy.

Mar 30, 2021•19 min•Ep. 18

Ep. 16 (Dr. Rob Johansson, Associate Director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance)

We must not weaken the farm safety net. That was one of the messages esteemed ag economist Dr. Rob Johansson shared on this month’s episode of Groundwork. Dr. Johansson is the Associate Director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance (ASA), a position he recently assumed after previously serving as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mar 15, 2021•20 min•Ep. 17
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