Podcasts about agriculture policy

In this week's episode, Tracy sits down with journalist and author Brian Reisinger to discuss one of the most pressing — yet overlooked — issues in agriculture today: how farmers continually get caught in the crossfire of government policy, global trade, and economic upheaval. Brian is the author of the powerful book Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer, which traces the historical and ongoing struggles of farmers against a backdrop of political decisions that too often leave them behind. From the trade wars and tariffs of today to policy decisions made over a century ago, Tracy and Brian explore the deep and often devastating connection between government policy and farm economics. They unpack how the American farmer has repeatedly gotten the short end of the stick—despite feeding the world.

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we talk with Brandon Reed about his deep roots in Kentucky FFA, from his time as a member and state president to his current role as Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy. We discuss how FFA shaped his leadership skills and influenced his decision to pursue a career in public service.Links:LaRue County FFAKentucky Office of Agricultural PolicyKentucky FFA Leadership Training Center

Philip Boucher-Hayes asks Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural development Martin Kenny TD, how his party's agriculture policy differs from the government's.

There are a lot of questions about commodity markets and how they relate to policy and interest rates.

Podcast Title - Ep. 75 Agriculture Policy in 2025: Key Updates with Jenny Mesirow In this episode of AgCredit Said It, host Phil Young welcomes back Jenny Mesirow from the Farm Credit Council to provide an in-depth update on the Farm Bill and the latest happenings in Washington, D.C. Jenny shares her extensive experience and insights on the legislative process, the impact of new administration changes, and the critical issues facing the agriculture sector. From the intricacies of the Farm Bill to the potential tax changes under the new presidency, this episode is packed with valuable information for farmers, industry leaders, and anyone interested in the future of farm finance. Tune in to learn how these developments could affect your farm's financial future and what steps you can take to stay ahead.   Show Notes: Episode 75: Agriculture Policy in 2025: Key Updates with Jenny Mesirow | AgCredit Connect with AgCredit on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share questions and topic ideas with us:Email podcast@agcredit.net 

This $10,000 award recognizes landowners for exceptional stewardship of soil, water, and wildlife habitat.

Tariffs are top of mind for the National Milk Producers Federation.

The National Pork Producers Council supports lawmakers including language in a new farm bill that would not allow states to place restrictions on other states for agricultural goods.

Today we welcome George Eustice onto the R2Kast. George, the former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, shares his journey into politics, starting from his early years working on the family farm in Cornwall. He discusses the challenges they faced in agriculture, which sparked his interest in political matters.

Where do the presidential candidates stand on key agricultural issues? Get their feedback on fourteen key questions.

National Corn Growers Association Board members work to share messages with federal lawmakers, their staff and USDA personnel in hopes to get movement on a new farm bill.

ABA says that the ACRES Act would provide more competition and lower producer costs.

An innovative agriculture literacy program at the University of Calgary has secured a $1 Million donation from BMO. The Simpson Centre for Food and Agriculture Policy at the university's School of Public Policy says the donation will support the launch of the Agriculture Literacy for Healthier People and Planet program. The initiative will address the complexities of agricultural systems while emphasizing the pivotal role food plays in human health and environmental sustainability. Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, Director of the Simpson Centre, says the program is designed to educate the public about where food comes from. “It will reach a broad range of audiences, including formal stakeholders such as research, industry, and government, as well as informal audiences such as consumers and citizens,” says Lhermie. “We are particularly focused on engaging young adults and teenagers who are active on social media and eager to participate in shaping the future of food systems.”

A state voter-approved initiative regarding a slaughterhouse shutdown could have dire impacts for the rest of the country.

NAWG's Role: Keeff Feltty discussed NAWG's involvement in legislative and regulatory matters affecting agriculture, including the Farm Bill and EPA regulations. They advocate for wheat growers' interests and fight against detrimental policies.Quality Focus: RJ Parrish emphasized the importance of quality wheat production. He believes Oklahoma has the potential to be the "Mercedes-Benz of wheat" by promoting its high-quality grain, which can command premium prices in domestic and international markets.Research and Innovation: Both guests highlighted the significance of research and innovation in wheat production. Keef mentioned the potential game-changer of the new "Aux-Wheat" variety developed at Oklahoma State University, which could eliminate the need for chemical additives in bread.International Markets: RJ shared his experiences from wheat quality tours in Africa, where he interacted with millers and end-users. He stressed the importance of understanding their needs and promoting the quality of U.S. wheat to capture these markets.Sustainable Practices: RJ discussed his no-till operation and the benefits of using stabilizers and precision fertilizer application. He believes these practices not only improve quality but also enhance efficiency and sustainability.(00:00:02) Welcome to the podcast(00:00:37) Introduction to the episode's guests and topics(00:01:37) Introduction of the panel members(00:02:46) Conversation with Keeff Felty, National Association of Wheat Growers president(00:05:01) Keeff's responsibilities as president of NAWG(00:06:07) Oklahoma's representation within NAWG over the years(00:07:02) Keeff's farming operation in Jackson County(00:08:19) Changes in farming practices over the years(00:09:26) Educating legislators on agricultural issues(00:10:01) Working with legislators from non-agricultural districts(00:11:23) A recent legislative success for wheat growers(00:13:55) Integrating cotton into wheat rotations(00:15:28) New wheat genetics and traits(00:17:01) Variety selection for Keith's operation(00:19:20) The Lugert-Altus Irrigation District(00:22:14) Irrigated wheat vs. cotton in the district(00:25:01) Water delivery system in the district(00:28:03) Roles of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association and Oklahoma Wheat Commission(00:31:06) Break for headset switch(00:31:47) Conversation with RJ Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission representative(00:32:00) RJ's role with the Wheat Commission(00:32:32) RJ's farming operation(00:33:04) Double-cropping soybeans after wheat(00:34:17) RJ's involvement with the Wheat Commission(00:34:29) Impact of wheat checkoff dollars(00:35:35) Importance of wheat quality(00:37:09) Interacting with international millers(00:39:01) Focusing on quality on RJ's farm(00:41:01) Considering a fertilizer spreader for corn(00:41:48) Stripper headers for double-cropping(00:43:35) Marketing and storing wheat for quality premiums(00:44:25) Community focus on wheat quality(00:45:12) Decline of anhydrous ammonia use(00:46:04) Excitement about the new Aux wheat variety(00:46:46) Importance of research for the Wheat Commission(00:48:18) Weed science research at OSU(00:49:03) Closing remarks  RedDirtAgronomy.com

After making it through a markeup, tight margins in the House could hold up getting a farm bill to the House Floor for debate.

R-CALF USA is including veterans in it's plight for mandatory country-or-origin legislation.

Although lab-grown meat is not available in the U.S. yet, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is supporting labeling of lab-grown meat as "imitation" on store shelves so that consumers know what the products are before they make their protein choice.

While NCBA supports the House version of the Farm Bill, they feel the Senate version lacks direct producer input.

National Milk Producers Federation's, Chris Galen reviews the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill frameworks.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture continues to push for labor reform.

National Farmers leader talks about where the rules written so far under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Alberta is in for a difficult growing season as the risk of severe drought increases with each passing day. The province relies on melting snow and precipitation for much of its water. With a lacklustre winter in the rearview mirror and a dry spring ahead, water management areas have already been impacted by a shortage of water.  "It will be a rough situation this year," says Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, Director of the Simpson Centre for Food and Agriculture Policy at the University of Calgary. "We already know the forecast is quite depressing." Lhermie notes this severe drought is mostly limited to Alberta. Other large production areas like Europe and the United States, which contribute to the local food supply, will not be affected by what's happening here. That said, the drought can potentially cause some disruption in the global markets. This feature brought to you by CABEF. To read more go to ruralrootscanada.com.

Dr Anna Macready, associate professor in the School of Agriculture Policy and Development at the University of Reading, takes us through personalised nutrition and asks, ‘is there a right or wrong diet?' These episodes of the Unit for Biocultural Variation and Obesity (UBVO) podcast were recorded at seminars in 2022, convened by Stanley Ulijaszek and Tanja Schneider. The focus is on how the digital and online world is influencing how and what people eat. Our sincere thanks go to the speakers who contributed.

National Milk Producers Federation, Senior Vice President, of Member Services and Governance, Chris Galen is less than optimistic that dairy issues will be worked on in an election year this year.

Title One programs in the farm bill are important to help farmers with economic challenges.

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks to Damian Mason about “Threats to Agriculture: Climate Activism, Ag Policy, Power Grabs, Advocating and More.” Is environmentalism and climate activism the new religion? Today's guest, Damian Mason, thinks so. In this episode, Tracy and Damian speak about: What are the biggest threats to agriculture? When Tracy asks which one will have the most impact on our industry, Damian responds with a confident “agriculture policy” as the biggest threat to agriculture in the future. Are environmentalism and climate activism the new religion? Damian shares that the most pronounced threat to North American agriculture is the regulatory environment, and the pressure comes mainly from environmentalism. The Climate crusade/alarmism/catastrophe movement has wheels, and it's getting traction. He speaks about how the "end of the World" due to climate change has been fear-mongered for decades, and they keep moving the doomsday deadline.  Damian speaks about how the media and government are using the climate crusaders to push the movement further to justify creating additional legislation within and outside the agriculture industry. Damian speaks about California and the Netherlands as prime examples of the green movement legislating farmers out of business. Does the government want to control the food? Why are they trying to remove agriculture from California, the Netherlands, and locations around the World? He shares his thoughts. Is it the consumer that wants more legislation? Damian says no, but it's pretty clear the government does. Are we feeding a growing population, or is the population in decline? The answer may surprise you. So, how can agriculture better share our story to counter these environmental movements? The NRA (National Rifle Association) has only a few million members, comparable to agriculture, but Damian says they are fantastic at advocating. Why? They stay on message, and they know how to fight. It needs to be personal and emotional. He ends with a few positive thoughts to encourage farmers. As always, every movement/trend is on a pendulum, and the environmental movement will return to normal once food availability, affordability, and freedom of choice impact the consumer. Then, the consumer will wake up and start to push back. If you want an episode that challenges the status quo, buckle up and tune into this entertaining and informative episode. Thanks for tuning in friends. It means the World to me. Tracy ........................ SHOW RESOURCES Connect with Damian and check out his podcast, YouTube channel and books. https://damianmason.com SIGN UP If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to sign up as an Insider so that you are first to know about all-new Impact Farming episodes, Expert Corner Segments, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up

Farmers from across the province will come together for the annual CrossRoads Crop Conference in Calgary. The 2nd annual event is set to take place Westin Airport Hotel in Calgary, January 29th to 31st. Farmers, ag-business reps and stakeholders will gather to network, knowledge share and gain insight to many ag-issues. FarmTech Foundation Chair Todd Hames says they are really trying to get into the bigger picture of agriculture. For more on this story go to Rural Roots Canada.com.

Renewable Fuels Association President & CEO, Jeff Cooper talks about their approaches to getting year-round sales of E15 in all states.

National Farmers Union Vice President of Advocacy, Mike Stranz says Congress has a farm-related to-do list.

Dr Anna Macready, associate professor in the School of Agriculture Policy and Development at the University of Reading, takes us through personalised nutrition and asks, ‘is there a right or wrong diet?'

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Chrissy Wozniak from North American Ag about agriculture policy. Many farmers cannot help but notice that agriculture and our farming practices are increasingly in the spotlight with each passing day. We all see and hear the headlines. Sustainability, ESGs, property rights, water and wildlife preservation efforts, carbon concerns, fertilizer reductions, animal rights, lab-grown "meats", plant-based “meats,” and the list goes on and on. Being in the public eye, and the constant uncertainty that comes from being in the spotlight, has many farmers concerned about the future of farming. Tracy and Chrissy tackle many of these subjects in a great conversation about policy and its growing impact on agriculture. In this episode: Chrissy shares more about her platform, her mission, and why agriculture policy has become an ever-increasing passion for her personally and professionally. She shares more about American Agri Women, her involvement, and the work this group of amazing women is doing to represent the best interests of the agriculture industry with our elected officials. Tracy and Chrissy chat about how there are several agriculture policies with growing momentum right now and how many of these policies are not even on the radar for most farmers. In this episode, Chrissy focuses on four policies that every farmer should know about. Have you heard of ESGs? Many farmers have not. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and Chrissy shares how this impacts our industry. As farmers, the land is near and dear to our hearts; without it, we cannot farm. Chrissy shares more about property and water rights policies and encroachments that have been and are currently making waves in the USA and around the World. For anyone involved in the agriculture industry, it is no surprise when Chrissy shares that there is an attack on animal agriculture. Between PETA, vegans, and other animal rights activists…animal agriculture has been in the public eye for many years. However, Chrissy goes on to share that our current threats may be coming from within the government. You will not want to miss this. Last but not least are fertilizer restrictions. This topic made headlines a while back with the government's declaration that farmers must reduce their fertilizer usage by 30%. While the conversation seems to have died down for now, this battle is far from over. Chrissy shares some final parting thoughts on agriculture policy and whether or not farmers should be concerned. She also shares a few tips for farmers if they want to learn more or get involved. If you are a farmer, you don't want to miss this episode. ............................... Show Resources                www.northamericanag.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhLbIXA7q6I www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGIpC54FAs www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGIpC54FAs

Due to the timeliness of this conversation, we're not waiting for the full episode to get this content in your ears. Lucas Sjostrom, a managing director of Edge Dairy Cooperative, shares his insight on the Federal Market Order discussions as it relates to milk and other perishable U.S. commodities, while intersecting with the new Farm Bill and potential government shut down. 

Former USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns talks about 2023 Farm Bill Spending priorities.

Farm Bill and Agriculture Policy in the '90s Household Pests, Japanese Beetles and Brown Recluse Spiders Homogenized Milk Prices   00:01:06 – Farm Bill and Agriculture Policy in the '90s: Jenny Ifft, K-State agriculture policy specialist, begins today's show with information about the farm bill and agriculture policy in the 1990s. Decoupled payments is one thing that took place during this time and Jenny describes what they are and their impact.   00:12:05 – Household Pests, Japanese Beetles and Brown Recluse Spiders: K-State crop entomologist Jeff Whitworth continues today's show as he discusses household pests. He shares information and control methods for Japanese beetles and brown recluse spiders. Brown Recluse Spiders   00:23:08 – Homogenized Milk Prices: Rounding out today's show is K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk as he discusses price variation of a gallon of homogenized milk – for both consumers and dairy farmers – in the Central Milk Marketing Order.   Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

It's officially spring which means it's time to swap out the winter blues for some color. This week on Meat and Three we are deep diving into our closet of archives and dusting off some stories to welcome in the season of new beginnings. From spring delicacies, to cooking with flowers, to Ramadan and more, we are bringing you a unique collection of topics that encapsulates the essence of spring renewal and tradition. Join us on April 12th for the second installment of our spring live event series with a panel on “Foraging Like a Local” at Farm to People in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Dana Cowin, host of HRN's Speaking Broadly, will be joined by Melissa Metrick, host of HRN's Fields, to talk about exciting ways to see, taste and experience the natural world whether among the concrete or the trees. For more information or to reserve tickets go to heritageradionetwork.org/eventseries.Further Reading:Each story from this week was pulled from a different series on HRN. Click the links below if you want to hear the full pieces."Beware the Easter Bunny Industrial Complex!"- A Springisode | Life's a BanquetBlowfish & Other Spring Delicacies in Southern Japan ⎸ Heritage Radio Network On TourCooking with Flowers | Cooking in Mexican From A to ZCover Crops for Improved Soil and Water | No Farms No FutureFasting and Feasting in Quarantine ｜Meat and ThreeKeep Meat and Three on the air: become an HRN Member today! Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Meat and Three is powered by Simplecast.

Marie-Noelle's guest this week is Wandile Sihlobo, academic, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and author of Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity, and Agriculture. Agriculture has long been a sector seen as a developmental cornerstone, creating jobs and driving economic growth. But how successful has it been? Sihlobo, who along with co-author Gracelin Baskaran wrote Better Choices chapter 'South Africa's Agriculture', argues here that in order for the agricultural sector to thrive, it requires a stable, predictable and conducive policy environment. This episode is the latest in our 'Better Choices' miniseries, which sees Marie-Noelle chat to some of the authors from The Brenthurst Foundation's latest book, Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa's Future. Get your copy here: https://www.exclusivebooks.co.za/product/9781770107533 Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

Ever since moving to Europe three years ago, I've been working to understand both the differences and similarities between the cultural, societal, and governmental background that I'm more familiar with from the USA and Mesoamerica compared to Spain and the larger European Union. Especially since my work is centered around agriculture and how we can set up the infrastructure to assist growers on this continent who want to shift to regenerative management, I need to first gain an understanding of what has incentivised and built the system we currently have. One of the largest influences that governs and regulates how people all around the different parts of Europe farm and manage land is the Common Agriculture Policy, known as the CAP. In order to get a better understanding of the complex history and nuanced current reality of the CAP, I reached out to my friend and colleague in Climate Farmers, Mateusz Ciasnocha, our Policy & Industry Advocacy Lead in the company. In this episode, Mateusz explains a bit about the history of the CAP and how it's been used to accomplish its stated goal of creating food security as well as its effect on the development of the agricultural sector in Europe in the past decades. He also helps me to understand how the different countries within the European Union work within the CAP as well as its differences in implementation in each member country.  From there we talk about how the CAP will be changing in this next 7 year cycle and how current events are creating controversy and challenges to the new rollout. Be sure to stick around until the end when Mateusz gives his own opinion on how the CAP can be leveraged in the future to facilitate a regenerative transformation of agriculture in this region as well. As a new resident in this continent, all of this information has been new to me and I'm also realizing the global implications of the European Common Agriculture Policy, so even if you don't live in Europe, this is a good subject to build an understanding of because it may affect you more directly than you think. Also, please try and forgive my bumbling misunderstandings along the way in this interview. Terminology always trips me up. Join the discord discussion channel to answer the weekly questions and learn new skills with the whole community Links: https://www.climatefarmers.org/

Joe Mag Raollaigh, Agriculture Correspondent, reports on the European Commission's approval of Ireland's plan for the implementation of the new Common Agriculture Policy.

Illinois candidates for governor talked agriculture policy at an ag sector roundtable Wednesday consisting of more than 100 industry leaders. The session was held in McLean County at Shuler Farms in rural Lexington.

To say that we live in interesting times, from an agricultural policy standpoint, might border on understatement. The regulatory, political, and trade environment in the animal agriculture space has rarely been more fraught. What does that mean for the feed and livestock industries? We'll find out in this edition of Feedstuffs In Focus. Earlier this week as part of The Virtual BEEF Experience, an online event hosted by our sister publication BEEF, Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead sat down with Farm Progress policy editor Jacqui Fatka for a rundown of some of the biggest topics facing livestock producers today in the policy arena. Here's Sarah.You can read Jacqui's Inside Washington column each month in the new dynamic digital edition of Feedstuffs; the May issue is now available by clicking HERE.

“I'll Have What She's Having” is a new exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center that explains the roots of the Jewish delicatessen in New York and the migration of the pastrami sandwich and matzo ball soup to the West Coast. A new generation of deli owners in Los Angeles are supporting each other by sharing knowledge and recipes, while paying homage to their predecessors. Megan Tucker of Mort & Betty's is creating deli favorites that cater to vegans. The taste for cannabis edibles is on the rise and LA Times staff writer Stephanie Breijo samples local, chef-driven products on the market. Político reporter Ximena Bustillo has a rundown of President Biden's 2023 budget and allocations that support agriculture and food programs. Finally, it's strawberry season at the farmer's market.

The team is in-person this week at Lethbridge, Alta., and that means we can record the radio show face to face! The panel today is made up of Shaun Haney, Kelvin Heppner, Lyndsey Smith, and Brittany Warner. On today’s show, the panel: Talks money for the agriculture policy framework; Increasing inflation; Pulling cattle off grass,... Read More

The team is in-person this week at Lethbridge, Alta., and that means we can record the radio show face to face! The panel today is made up of Shaun Haney, Kelvin Heppner, Lyndsey Smith, and Brittany Warner. On today’s show, the panel: Talks money for the agriculture policy framework; Increasing inflation; Pulling cattle off grass,... Read More

After nearly two months of waiting, the U.S. Supreme Court this week announced they would be hearing the case brought by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation challenging California's Proposition 12 requiring additional space requirements for gestating sows. The state law seeks to ban the sale of pork from hogs that don't meet what agriculture groups describe as the state's arbitrary production standards, even if the pork was raised on farms outside of California.The NPPC-AFBF case, which argues that Prop. 12 violates the Constitution's Commerce Clause, limiting states' ability to regulate commerce outside their borders, was finally granted certiorari March 25. NPPC and AFBF will file their initial brief with the Supreme Court in the coming weeks; the Justices could hear oral arguments in the fall and could render a decision by the end of the year.In this episode we talk with Travis Cushman, Senior Counsel for Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation. Cushman is one of the attorneys working on the case on behalf of the agriculture industry.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

In this first full episode of “Sustainable Agriculture Policy with Ron Kroese,” Brian Depew, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, explains why we started this podcast. We then bring you an episode of “Ear to the Ground,” a podcast from the Land Stewardship Project. In this episode, Brian DeVore with the Land Stewardship Project interviews Ron about his oral history project. Special thanks to Land Stewardship Project for letting us include this episode of “Ear to the Ground" to introduce the series. Links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive Land Stewardship Project -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, and more. Catch more information about episodes and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.

In the final episode of Season 2 of Straight Talk, your host Emmery Mehlhoff interviews NDFB Public Policy Director Pete Hanebutt about ag policy, the opportunities for diversification, and how to tell your story to policy leaders. It's easier than you think!

In episode 7 we're joined by Oran Hesterman, the founder and CEO of Fair Food Network, a national nonprofit headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI on a mission to grow community health and wealth through food. This includes its Double Up Food Bucks program that doubles the spending power of individuals on SNAP, or food stamps, helping them bring home more fruits and vegetables while supporting local farmers. Our conversation spans topics related to the Double Up program as well as a larger discussion on the social determinants of health and the role of social programs in making our society healthier.Our Guest: Oran HestermanWith more than 35 years of experience as a scientist, farmer, philanthropist, businessman, educator, and passionate advocate, Oran B. Hesterman is a national leader in sustainable agriculture and food systems and is a respected partner for policymakers, philanthropic leaders, and advocates nationwide.He currently serves as Founder and CEO of Fair Food Network, a national nonprofit on a mission to grow community health and wealth through food. The decade plus it has spent testing and growing scalable solutions has led to big changes in communities. First through Double Up Food Bucks, which today is a national model for healthy food incentives in 28+ states, and now through Fair Food Fund, which is investing in good food entrepreneurs so they can be engines of a more equitable tomorrow.Before launching Fair Food Network, Hesterman led the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Integrated Farming Systems and Food & Society programs, during which time he seeded the local food systems movement with more than $200 million in investments. Prior to his work in philanthropy and nonprofits, Hesterman researched and taught forage and cropping systems management and sustainable agriculture at Michigan State University.A former fellow in the Kellogg National Fellowship Program and the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy in Washington, D.C., Hesterman has published more than 400 reports and articles on subjects ranging from crop rotation to the impact of philanthropy on food systems practice and policy and trends in the good food movement. He currently serves on the board or in an advisory role for a number of national and Michigan-based organizations including Fair Food Fund portfolio company Five Acre Farms, Groundworks Center, NextCycle Michigan, and Pardes Hannah Jewish Renewal Community.Hesterman is a native of Berkeley, California. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of California – Davis. He completed his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in agronomy, plant genetics, and businesses administration. He lives with his wife Lucinda Kurtz in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he still gets his hands dirty in his garden and at the potter's wheel.

Before the start of the 2020 presidential primaries in Iowa, where corn is king, AEI scholars will discuss the agriculture policy and rural development proposals from the major candidates running for president. The post https://www.aei.org/multimedia/the-future-of-us-farm-programs-evaluating-the-2020-presidential-candidates-agriculture-policy-and-rural-development-platforms/ (The future of US farm programs: Evaluating the 2020 presidential candidates' agriculture policy and rural development platforms) appeared first on https://www.aei.org (American Enterprise Institute - AEI).