In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Sarah Taber, who shares her journey from agricultural consulting to running for Ag Secretary in North Carolina. It is mostly a story of dedication to changing the norms and changing the rules to benefit more farmers, trying to break deeply entrenched interests to create real change. The conversation explores the challenges facing North Carolina agriculture, the need for innovative ideas to shift from traditional crops to more profitable produce, and the political landscape that influences agricultural policies. Sarah discusses her motivations for running, the strategies she employed during her campaign, and the lessons learned from the experience. The episode concludes with insights on the future of agriculture in North Carolina and advice for aspiring politicians.