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Matt Dorsey, the President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, joins Cam and Ott for this episode of Dirt Road Discussions. They explore Matt's experiences as a farmer, his insights from traveling the state, and the importance of community and mentorship in agriculture. They also dive into the challenges facing farmers today, while emphasizing the resilience and optimism needed to navigate these tough times. Matt shares his vision for the future of agriculture, advocating for a focus on the producer's perspective and the importance of collaboration within the farming community.

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Consumers can be overwhelmed as they walk through the aisles of the grocery store. Food has become a battleground where marketing labels and misinformation persuades people around their eating choices. 

Michele Payn brings clarity and common sense to the conversations surrounding food, farming, and science. Whether it’s helping farmers and scientists communicate more effectively, tackling food misinformation, or addressing mental health in agriculture.

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Winter months in rural Idaho may lack a Friday night football game, but locals are discovering Skijoring: a sport where competitors ski behind a galloping horse, navigating jumps, grabbing rings, and trying not to break any bones. It has been described as rodeo adrenaline for participants and crowds, only you need a warm coat.

Shailee and Sage Lish got hooked on skijoring from friends in Wyoming and brought it to southeast Idaho. In this interview, they share how a tournament is set up, who participates, why hundreds come out to watch it, how to pick the right horse, and of course stories of epic crashes.

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100th Episode! The Dirt Road Discussion crew literally hit the road to travel to Sun Valley for 10-minute interviews with a lineup of ag experts attending the Idaho-Oregon Grain & Oilseed Convention. They each share a personal message on the status and future of farming in the Northwest.

Erin Hansell-Heideman
2026 President, Oregon Wheat Growers League

Kyle Wangemann
Vice President, Idaho Grain Producers Association; Committee Member, National Wheat Growers Association

Cliff Tacke
Commissioner, Idaho Wheat Commission

Josh Jones
Commissioner and Past Chairman, Idaho Barley Commission; Vice President, National Barley Growers Association

Jonathan Rosenau
Chairman, Idaho Oilseed Commission; President, Idaho Grain Producers Association

David Brewer
Director (Oregon), Pacific Northwest Canola Association

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In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens left a landscape of devastation. Decades later, that volcanic soil has become the foundation for a farm that produces products that become our holiday boughs, wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces.

In this special holiday episode, we sit down with Troy Turnbull, VP of Northwest Operations at Continental Floral Greens. He takes us behind the scenes of their unique farm and shares how the process works to get everything ready for this festive season.

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Leslie Edgar grew up in a large family Kuna, Idaho, where her parents emphasized the importance of hard work and education. Back then, she probably never knew that her life would take her to multiple states only to return as the J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho. What a journey.

In this podcast, Dean Edgar breaks down how a land-grant university works with students, farmers, 4-H, FFA, extension agencies, and a host of other agriculture groups. 

Her message is simple. The University of Idaho has an amazing network of resources and projects to further the future of farming and ranching and they are accessible to a diversity of people that need them.

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While most farmers are trying to get their crop out of the ground by October 15th, Geoffrey and Jana Yockey are working to get their garlic seed in the ground before winter hits. The funny part is that they hope its a frigid winter with lots of snow covering their precious crop.

Years ago, the Yockeys returned to Jana’s hometown from Florida to continue her family's five-generation farming heritage. With limited land available from the original homestead, the Yockeys sought a crop that could thrive in their high desert climate and reflect their values. Their answer: garlic. 

Little did they know at that time just how much manual labor (weeding) it would take to make this little farm grow to what it is today. In the podcast, they take you into the world of garlic.

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She was a girl who grew up singing at church in her Amish community. He was a boy that grew up in Texas listening to Metallica. A chance encounter at a Nashville event would create the country duo sensation of Lance and Lea.

In this podcast, Lance and Lea talk about what it is like to be on the road, mapping out performance dates across the country, and writing music along the way. They also share what it takes to love the lifestyle of a performer and how the people they have met have changed them for the better.

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Many people do not understand the workings of a land grant university, especially its ongoing connection to agriculture. In 2025, Dean Leslie Edgar got the opportunity to return to her home state of Idaho to become the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho.

In this podcast, Dean Edgar answers question of how the university works with farmers, communities, industry leaders, and most important - students. She tell how her upbringing helped her have a passion for the advancement of agriculture and shares how recent developments and facilities are going to help innovate solutions for the future of farming and ranching.

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Should land be used for farming or houses? Maybe the better question is, how do we plan for the future so people can still build neighborhoods and businesses without taking up all the farmland that grows our food?

Keri Smith's thought she wanted to be a graphic designer until she answered a job in the local newspaper looking for an entry-level position taking notes for the land council meeting. This would be life changing as it led to more land-development positions until she found herself as a county commissioner.

In this podcast, she gives a behind-the-scene look at why cities need to care where people develop, how they develop, and why agriculture lands need to be discussed before it is paved over.