Actual Ag

In this Thanksgiving episode of Actual Ag Samantha sits down for a cranberry chat with Amber Bristow of @cranberrychats! Amber is a cranberry grower in Wisconsin who grew up on her family's sixth generation family cranberry farm and is running the farm with her Dad. During their conversation Amber explains to Samantha how cranberries are grown (here's a hint, it's not exactly in water like you might think!!!), her farm's co-op connection with Ocean Spray, what a day in the life of a cranberry farmer looks like, and your odds of purchasing cranberry products for your Thanksgiving table that Amber and her family grew! Tune in to Ambers's latest episode of her podcast, Forward Farming, and be sure to follow her on Instagram @cranberrychats. Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode of Actual Ag Samantha discusses all things cowboy culture with Antonio James. Antonio is a cowboy in Texas who grew up in Detroit and is now the host of the new podcast, Cowboys of Dixie. During their conversation Antonio and Samantha discuss the true definition of a cowboy, three things every cowboy needs, what a day in the life of a cowboy looks like, and what they think the future of the cowboy holds. Tune in to Antonio's latest episode of Cowboys of Dixie and be sure to follow him on Instagram @cowboysofdixie. Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode of Actual Ag Samantha speaks with Dr. Eric Peatman, Director of the Southeastern Fish Genetics Co-operative Project and Professor in the School of Fisheries at Auburn University. During their conversation they discuss what GMOs are, how they are created, if they are necessary, and whether or not consumers should be fearful of them. The Genetic Literacy Project that Dr. Peatman mentioned as suggested source for more information regarding GMOs and genetics in general. Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this series I am speaking with Dr. Kate Thornton, Director of Global Education in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University and the Director of Research and Academic Initiatives for the Hunger Solutions Institute, as well as renowned author and journalist Roger Thurow, who is well known for his work covering global affairs for The Wall Street Journal and for being a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for the series that he copenned on famine in Africa. Contact our speakers through email: Dr. Kate Thornton - brockmk@auburn.edu Roger Thurow - rthurow@thechicagocouncil.org Links to find Roger Thurow's three books on Amazon: Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change The First 1,000 Days Links to films suggest by Roger Thurow and Dr. Kate Thornton during this episode: Hunger In America (1968) A Place at the Table For more information on Auburn University's Hunger Solutions Institute Additionally, more information can be found on the amazing Kirchner Food Fellowship website If you are food insecure or need help finding food resources use the following: Dial 2-1-1 for essential community services. Through this calling center you can be connected to local resources such as food or clothing banks, shelters, rent or utility assistance, as well as work support, access to services in non-english languages, support for older Americans and people with disabilities, children, youth, and family support, and suicide prevention services. Alabama County Food Guide website Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this series I am speaking with Dr. Kate Thornton, Director of Global Education in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University and the Director of Research and Academic Initiatives for the Hunger Solutions Institute, as well as renowned author and journalist Roger Thurow, who is well known for his work covering global affairs for The Wall Street Journal and for being a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for the series that he copenned on famine in Africa. For more information on Auburn University's Hunger Solutions Institute Additionally, more information can be found on the amazing Kirchner Food Fellowship website that Dr. Thornton spoke about Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode of Actual Ag Samantha speaks with Alex Tigue, Extension Agent and PhD student at Auburn University, who you may remember hearing from in one of our older episodes "Hormones in Animal Production". In this episode Alex and Samantha cover the recent JBS cyberattack including what happened, what we can expect as consumers as a result, and the current infrastructure of the meat processing industry. We also go on to discuss the key role that local meat processors could play if there were more of them and how you as a consumer can influence the meat processing industry. If you are interested in checking out locally grown products in Alabama, use this link to find the Sweet Grown Alabama website that Alex mentioned Similarly, you can find locally grown products in Georgia If you are looking specifically to find locally grown Alabama beef, use the Alabama Cattlemen's Association website Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode of Actual Ag Samantha speaks with Dr. Kim Mullenix, Extension Beef Systems Specialist and Associate Professor from the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University. During their conversation they discuss what forages are, the important role they play in cattle production, the sustainability of their production, and they discuss emerging production ideas such as grass-fed beef and regenerative agriculture! If you are interested in checking out the resources Dr. Mullenix suggested in this episode use the following: The Alabama Beef Extension website Alabama Beef Extension team on Facebook Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha goes solo and defines animal rights and animal welfare, explains the difference between activism and advocacy, and gives you tips on how to discuss these highly ethical topics with someone who's opinion is different from your own. She also does an overview on animal rights organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and explains how their goals differ completely from animal welfare organizations such as the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA). If you are interested in learning more about the topics talked about in this episode, the following links are some of the sources used and talked about: An amazon link to the textbook Samantha recommends in this episode, "Scientific Farm Animal Production: An Introduction to Animal Science Eleventh Edition" The link to Animal Agriculture Alliances's website and be sure to check out their social media as well! You can find them on Instagram @animalagalliance Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha speaks with Kyle Clark of Clark Dairy Farms located in the Catskills Mountains in Delhi, New York. Kyle is not only a fifth generation dairy farmer working on the same land that his great-great grandfather originally bought, but is also the new owner and operator of his very own creamery. Their conversation focuses on the daily work that goes into being a dairy farmer, his lifetime experiences and how they amounted to him becoming an entrepreneur, and much more! For more about Kyle and Clark Dairy Farms check out his Instagram @clarkdairyfarms and Facebook page. If you are wanting to know more about his family's history and where to find Clark Farms' milk be sure to check out his website. Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha speaks with Jimmy and Robin Parnell and their children James Robert Parnell and Anna Grace Parnell! The Parnell family operates Parnell Farms which they describe as a diversified cattle business located in Stanton, Alabama. Their diversified cattle business includes cow-calf, stockers, and purebreds that they use as show cattle. Their conversation focuses on the family business, the roles they each fill as members of the family on the farm, and what they each believe is the one message they wish they could share with the world from their perspective as a family involved in animal agriculture. For more about the Parnell family and their cattle business be sure to check out the Parnell Family's Instagram, @parnell_farms, and Facebook page. Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and be on the lookout for an upcoming giveaway. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha chats about all things honey bees with Dr. Selina Bruckner of the Bee Lab here at Auburn University. Dr. Bruckner talks about her introduction to honey bees during her time as an undergraduate student in Switzerland, how she came to continue her studies in the United States at Auburn University, the honey bee population's biggest threats, and how you can do your part to help save the bees! To learn more about the Auburn Bee Lab and their resources, research, and upcoming honey sales check out their social media pages: Facebook and Instagram @auburnbees For more information on beekeeping from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) team check out their website If you are an Auburn University student interested in getting involved with the For The Bees club, check out their social media and AUInvolve listing Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and be on the lookout for an upcoming giveaway. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this bonus episode Samantha chats with three other graduate students in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University in honor of International Women's Day. This fun conversation with Maggie Justice, Micayla West, and Laura Yoder spans discussions on how they each got started in an agricultural related field, their experiences as women in animal sciences, the women in their lives that have impacted them most, and so much more! This episode is a long one, but also is one that was so incredibly fun to record and I hope you all enjoy listening to it equally as much. The following are some of the various people and resources we talk about in the episode: For more information regarding the Virtual Roundtable discussion "Empowering Women in Agriculture" on March 12th, 2021 at 1 pm CT. For more information on Dr. Temple Grandin and her work For more on Jennifer Sirangelo and her role as President and CEO of the National 4-H Council. For more on Kay Johnson Smith and her role as President and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance. For more information on Dr. Susan Duckett from Clemson University and her work. For more information on Dr. Kim Mullenix from Auburn University and her work. For more information on Virginia Hanson and her work at Iowa State University. For more on Dr. Gretchen Mafi and her work at Oklahoma State University. For more on Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno and her work at NC State University. For more on Dr. Lindsay Starkey and her work at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. For more on Dr. Carolyn Huntington and her work at Auburn University. Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and be on the lookout for an upcoming giveaway. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha chats with Registered Dietitian, wife and mother, and rancher, Sheri Glazier otherwise known as @dirtroaddietitian on Instagram! Their conversation includes how Sheri juggles the many roles she fills every day, her viewpoints on including beef in a well-rounded diet, and her favorite beef recipes and tips to cooking steak at home, and much more! Be sure to check out Sheri's website and her Instagram page @dirtroaddietitian for more great content on human nutrition, simple supper recipes, and the every day work that goes into farming and ranching! Another resource she recommended during our episode is the Beef Check-Off's website for more excellent information regarding beef. Also make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and be on the lookout for an upcoming giveaway. If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha chats with agvocates and sisters Evelyn and Claudia Leubner, otherwise known as @nyfarmgirls on Instagram! During their conversation they discuss what it was like for them growing up on a dairy farm, how they got started in advocating for agriculture, and what it is like working together as sisters! Be sure to check out Evelyn, Claudia, and their sister Jojo @nyfarmgirls on Instagram for more great content on dairy farming, agricultural advocacy, and more! Also be sure to check out their youtube channel, and their merchandise. Make sure you are following the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! There you can DM us any questions you may have and want answered in a future episode! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha chats with Registered Dietitian and dairy advocate Lauren Twigge, otherwise known as @nutrition.at.its.roots on Instagram! During their conversation they discuss why Lauren as an RDN feels connected to animal agriculture, what benefits we get from consuming dairy products, how alternative products to dairy measure up nutritionally and economically, and much more! Be sure to check out Lauren @nutrition.at.its.roots on Instagram for more great content on human nutrition, food myths, and more on dairy products and make sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us there any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha chats with Dr. Jason Sawyer, meat scientist and associate professor from the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University. During their conversation they discuss reading and understanding meat labels and why you should take the time to do so during your trips to the grocery store! Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this episode Samantha chats with Alex Tigue , PhD student and extension agent, and Dr. Soren Rodning, veterinarian, extension specialist, and associate professor, from the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University. During our conversation we discuss why and how hormones are used in animal agriculture, the safety of hormones, and how their use is regulated! Check out the Instagram and Twitter pages Alex Tigue mentioned in this episode and give them a follow @gilmerdairy and @feedyardfoodie! Be sure to follow the podcast's Instagram page, @actual_ag! DM us any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode and stay up to date on all things Actual Ag! If you want, leave me a voice message with your questions about agriculture and they might just be included in an episode!

In this preview episode, Samantha introduces herself and talks about her journey to becoming immersed in the agricultural industry, as well as why she was inspired to start this podcast. Follow the podcast on Instagram @actual_ag and make sure to DM any questions you may want to have answered in a future episode!