Ep 232 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into viral apple-splitting techniques, controversial rodeo documentaries, farm wellness tourism, and laser fruit labeling technology --- with their usual dose of snark and sincerity.

From Apple Girl Kait's viral fruit-splitting powers (spoiler: the hosts can't replicate it) to the realities of 20-year apple farming lifecycles and GMO solutions for browning, the agriculture education is real. Then they dive into Boot Barn's "Hell on Wheels" docuseries featuring bad boy bareback rider Rocker Steiner, European-style agritourism booming in America, and whether luxury farm stays help or hinder consumer understanding of production agriculture.

The episode wraps with Australia's innovative laser fruit labeling technology that could eliminate 110 tons of plastic sticker waste annually, plus a heated debrief on Glyphosate Girl's attack on Luke Bryan's Bayer partnership. From terminology debates (herbicide vs. pesticide) to food stylists fuming over etched fruit, it's another week of agriculture meeting pop culture with plenty of contradictions along the way..

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Apple Girl Kait's viral fruit-splitting technique and apple farming realities 🪩 Rocker Steiner's controversial rodeo documentary series 🪩 The rise of luxury agritourism in America 🪩 Luke Bryan vs. Glyphosate Girl controversy 🪩 Laser fruit labels replacing plastic stickers 🪩 GMO Arctic apples and consumer contradictions

CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on Discover Ag 02:00 - Discovery 1: Is Apple Girl Kait's Viral Apple Split Strength or Technique? 07:00 - The 20-Year Lifecycle & The Problem of Apple Waste 09:00 - GMO Arctic Apple: The Non-Browning Solution Consumers Need? 15:00 - Sponsor Break: ARMA Colostrum (Superfood Powder) 16:00 - Sponsor Break: Cozy Earth (Bamboo Sheets) 17:00 - Discovery 2: Hell On Wheels - Boot Barn's Docuseries on Rocker Steiner 22:00 - Rocker Steiner: The Bad Boy of Rodeo & His Extreme Lineage 26:00 - Discovery 3: The Rise of Luxury Agritourism - US Farm Stays vs. Europe 32:00 - Does Farm-to-Table Hinder Consumer Understanding of Production Ag? 36:00 - Sponsor Break: Mary T Faber's Solutions (Bookkeeping) 37:00 - Disco Debrief: Glyphosate Girl Attacks Luke Bryan's Bayer Partnership 40:00 - Fact Check: Is Glyphosate an Herbicide or a Pesticide? 42:00 - Discovery 4: Lasered Fruit Labels & Solving the 110-Ton Plastic Sticker Problem 47:00 - Food Stylists Are Fuming: The Problem with Etched Fruit for TV 48:00 - The Whack-A-Mole Game of Food System Innovation 49:00 - Outro: Thanks for Listening, Discos!

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by https://instagram.com/NatalieKovarik/  — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and https://instagram.com/taravanderdussen/  — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 231 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into generational food debates, Boston's rodeo revival, and Texas' fight against an invasive pest — with plenty of banter along the way.

First up: A viral reel sparks debate about seed oils and generational food culture. An "almond daughter" confronts her "seed oil grandmother" about pantry staples, but the comment section isn't having it. Natalie and Tara explore how different generations relate to food, why we're so divided on nutrition, and whether we've optimized ourselves into confusion.

Then, the rodeo returns to Boston for the first time in nearly 100 years — complete with skyscrapers, city hall plaza, and plenty of PETA protesters. The hosts discuss the logistics of transforming downtown into a rodeo arena, why animal activists are so vocal about rodeos, and whether this cultural moment will stick around.

Next, Bose drops a butter-yellow Bluetooth speaker packaged like a stick of butter, and the marketing genius (or missed opportunity) has everyone talking. Plus, a quick debrief on Steven McBee heading to BravoCon and what that means for ag's crossover into mainstream entertainment.

Finally, Texas agriculture faces a new threat: the cotton jassid, an invasive leaf hopper spreading fast from Florida to the cotton belt. Tara talks to a local cotton farmer about what this pest could mean for the multi-billion dollar industry — and why Georgia growers are already devastated.

BUT WAIT — there's more!

Stick around for a bonus mini-interview with Jeff Risley, Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Farmers of America (REFA). If you've ever considered solar, wind, or any renewable project on your farm, this conversation is a must-listen. Jeff breaks down peer-to-peer resources, lease negotiations, succession planning, and how REFA helps farmers make informed decisions about long-term energy opportunities. Learn more at https://renewableenergyfarmers.org

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Seed oil grandma vs. almond daughter: a generational food war 🪩 Boston's first rodeo in nearly 100 years 🪩 Bose's butter-yellow speaker (and why it's not called butter yellow) 🪩 Steven McBee is headed to BravoCon 🪩 The cotton jassid invasion threatening Texas agriculture 🪩 Renewable energy opportunities for farmers and ranchers

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on Discover Ag 01:00 - Discovery #1: The Viral "Almond Daughter vs. Seed Oil Grandma" Reel 05:00 - The Generational Food Divide and the Rise of Convenience 11:00 - Optimizing Food: Has Our Generation Swung Too Far? 15:00 - Is Modern Food WORSE? The Ultra-Processed Food Conversation 16:44 - Sponsor: Mary T Faber's Solutions (Bookkeeping) 17:50 - Sponsor: Our Farms (Farm-to-Table Marketplace) 19:00 - Discovery #2: Boston's First Rodeo in 100 Years 24:00 - Why Hasn't Boston Had a Rodeo? Strict Animal Welfare Laws 25:22 - "Animals Are Being Killed!" Fact-Checking Rodeo Misinformation 29:00 - Discovery #3: Bose's Butter Yellow Speaker & Viral PR Stunt 33:00 - Turtle Box Speaker Review: The Unbeatable Outdoor Speaker 36:57 - Sponsor: Sunrise Flour Mill (Heritage Wheat) 37:44 - Debrief: Steven McBee is Going to BravoCon! 40:35 - McBee Farms Season 3 Confirmed & Why We Love The Show 42:52 - Discovery #4: Cotton Jassid Emergency Threatens Texas Agriculture 45:00 - Georgia Cotton Decimated: A Farmer's Perspective on the Leaf Hopper 48:00 - Rapid Timeline: How the Pest is Sweeping Across the US 50:56 - The Realities of Agriculture & The Need for Modern Tools 51:48 - Mini Interview: Renewable Energy Farmers of America with Jeff Risley

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Ep 230 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into AI-powered potato sorting, cowboy boot emojis, and McDonald's massive regenerative agriculture investment — plus a Clarkson's Farm debrief and Lil Wayne's unexpected horse racing debut.

First up: Potato Ty takes viewers behind the scenes of green potato sorting on his Canadian farm. The hosts explore how AI technology identifies toxic potatoes (yes, green potatoes contain solanine and shouldn't be eaten), the fascinating machinery that sorts them, and why dairy cows are the ultimate recyclers — eating those green potatoes safely thanks to their multiple stomachs. It's a masterclass in agricultural innovation and food waste reduction.

Then, Ariat's social media team makes a bold move: an open letter to Apple demanding better cowboy boot emojis. With three British guard options but no proper Western representation, the hosts debate whether this PSA will spark real change and share their own emoji habits (spoiler: Tara switched to grayscale mode and can no longer tell which heart she's sending).

Next, Lil Wayne enters the horse racing world with his stallion "Six Hoof Seven Hoof" (named after his hit "6 Foot 7 Foot"). Tara shares her family's deep horse racing history, from summers in Delmar to a touching tribute to her late father-in-law through a racehorse named Randy's Reserve.

BUT WAIT — there's more!

McDonald's announces a $200 million commitment over seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices on 4 million acres across 38 states. Natalie and Tara dissect whether this is genuine change or greenwashing, how grants will reach family ranches in the cow-calf sector, and what it means when major suppliers like Cargill co-fund the initiative. Plus: insights from an upcoming Dear Disco interview with food scientist Stefan Van Vliet on labeling and marketing in agriculture.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 AI sorting technology for toxic green potatoes

🪩 How dairy cows safely eat what humans can't

🪩 Ariat's emoji activism for Western culture

🪩 Lil Wayne's horse racing debut (and prize money!)

🪩 Clarkson's Farm Season 4 emotional pub journey

🪩 McDonald's $200M regenerative agriculture commitment

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro & Listener Review: Pop Culture Meets Agriculture

02:00 - Green Potatoes: Why They're Poisonous & How AI in Agriculture Sorts Them

08:00 - Cows Eat Green Potatoes? How Ruminants Prevent Food Waste (Potato Tie & Jennifer Garner)

13:00 - Sponsor Break: Duckworth Co. & Turtle Box Speakers

15:00 - We Need a Cowboy Boot Emoji! Ariat International's Viral Social Media Campaign

21:00 - Lil Wayne Enters Horse Racing: The Rapper's Racehorse Wins Big

26:00 - Sponsor Break: Farm Wife Tallow & Cozy Earth

29:00 - Clarkson's Farm Effect: How Jeremy Clarkson's Show Boosted Agricultural Education

35:00 - McDonald's Regenerative Ag Investment: Is it Greenwashing or Real Change?

46:00 - Wrap-up & Outro

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Ep 229 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into the headlines shaping agriculture, food safety, and pop culture — with their usual dose of fact-checking and fun.

First up: The Apeel controversy explodes across social media with fearmongering videos, Bill Gates conspiracy theories, and actual lawsuits. The hosts break down the misinformation campaigns targeting the food coating company, from Michelle Pfeiffer's apology to why transparency in food labeling has become such a flashpoint.

Then, the most unexpected crossover of 2025: Jelly Roll meets the Pope! The country star performed at the first Vatican City concert in 2,000 years, and the hosts can't get over this redemption story that has everyone talking about grace, second chances, and the power of music.

Next, Farm Aid hits its 40th anniversary milestone. Willie Nelson's nonprofit has raised $85 million for family farmers over four decades, and this year's concert almost didn't happen due to labor strikes. Plus, they're pioneering local food at major events with their "Homegrown Concessions" model.

And finally, natural fibers are making a comeback in sportswear! Venus Williams wore wool to the US Open, signaling a shift away from synthetic fabrics. The hosts dive into sustainability, microplastics in oceans, and why your grandma's scratchy sweater perception of wool needs an update.

BUT WAIT — there's more!

Stick around for Lainey Wilson's viral Family Feud moment that has the internet losing it over Britney Spears songs, plus updates on the hosts' "Discover on the Road" series featuring sheep trails in Montana and cotton farming adventures.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Apeel's legal battle against misinformation campaigns 🪩 Bill Gates conspiracy theories vs. actual food science 🪩 Jelly Roll's journey from prison to the Vatican 🪩 Farm Aid's 40-year legacy and local food innovation 🪩 Lainey Wilson's perfect Family Feud answer 🪩 Venus Williams brings wool back to tennis

CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 01:27 - Discovery 1: The Apeel Controversy — Fearmongering, Lawsuits & Bill Gates Conspiracy Theories 06:20 - Michelle Pfeiffer apology & Food Transparency 12:30 - Is Apeel a Pesticide? 19:37 - Discovery 2: Jelly Roll Meets the Pope 22:45 - The First Vatican City Concert in 2000 Years! 27:31 - Discovery 3: Farm Aid 40 — An $85M Legacy 36:33 - Disco Debrief: Lainey Wilson goes viral on Family Feud 42:27 - Discovery 4: Natural fibers return to sportswear — Venus Williams' wool tennis dress 50:53 - Discover on the Road updates (wool & cotton episodes) 53:12 - Outro

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 228 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into mangoes as currency, Western fashion controversy, and the differences between American and European food systems.

First up: Florida's mango madness season where locals are trading mangoes for bread, ice cream, and cocktails. With mango trees producing up to 1,000 mangoes each, South Florida restaurants are capitalizing on backyard abundance by accepting fruit as payment. But are five mangoes really worth just one small ice cream?

Next, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid's Wyoming Western Vogue shoot is breaking the internet - but not for the reasons you'd think. While the hosts loved the prairie dress looks and truck shots, the comment section is brutal. Is this editorial genius or has Vogue completely missed the mark?

Then, meet the Painter Land Sisters - fourth-generation Pennsylvania dairy farmers who saved their family farm by pivoting to premium Icelandic-style yogurt. With their feminine branding and direct-to-consumer approach, they just closed a seven-figure seed round and are now in Whole Foods nationwide.

And finally, the age-old debate: why Americans refrigerate eggs while Europeans leave them on the counter. The answer involves mandatory chicken vaccines, washing protocols, and two completely different food safety philosophies. Plus, In-N-Out's secret Bible verses on packaging.

BUT WAIT --- there's more!

Stick around for an exclusive interview with Kirby Snore, host of RFD TV's new Dirt Diaries podcast and the Farm Her & Rancher series. Recorded live at Farm Progress, Kirby shares her insights on women's storytelling in agriculture and why taking a year off was the bravest decision of her career.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Florida's mango bartering system and food waste solutions 🪩 Kendall & Gigi's controversial Western Vogue shoot 🪩 Painter Land Sisters' premium yogurt success story 🪩 In-N-Out's subtle Bible verse tradition 🪩 US vs European egg safety: washing vs vaccination

CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro: Mango Madness Preview 01:59 - Discovery 1: It's Literally Raining Mangoes in Florida 06:39 - Some Mango Recipes to Inspire You 10:01 - Sponsor Shoutout: Turtle Box Speakers 12:29 - Sponsor Shoutout: Mary T Faber Solutions 14:09 - Discovery 2: Vogue Western with Kendall Jenner & Gigi Hadid 24:33 - Discovery 3: Painter Land Sisters Yogurt Success 35:33 - Sponsor Shoutout: Toups & Co and Our Farms 37:52 - Debrief: In-N-Out Prints Bible Verses on Packaging 43:30 - Discovery 4: Eggs - Should You Refrigerate Them? 51:51 - Interview: Kirby Snore from Dirt Diaries Podcast

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik --- western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher --- and @TaraVanderDussen --- sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 227 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into parasites in your salmon, Post Malone's fashion debut, and a conspiracy theory about Babybel cheese --- plus why the Maha grocery trend might backfire.

First up: Wild-caught salmon filled with living parasites. A viral video shows worms crawling out of fresh salmon from Costco, sparking conversations about food safety, flash freezing, and the reality that up to 80% of wild salmon can harbor parasites. The hosts explore why this is normal in natural ecosystems and how proper handling makes it safe.

Then, Post Malone launches his Austin Post Apparel line at Paris Fashion Week. While the western-inspired collection stayed true to his personal style, the hosts debate whether it was too safe for such a high-profile debut. From cowboy boots to turquoise jewelry, they weigh authenticity versus innovation in western fashion.

Next up: A hilarious conspiracy theory connecting Babybel cheese to Maker's Mark whiskey. Both require peeling off red wax to access the goodness inside --- coincidence or calculated grooming by Big Charcuterie? The hosts dive into the comment section gold and share their own charcuterie secrets.

Finally, an Atlantic article warns that "Maha washing" is making junk food seem healthier through superficial changes like removing dyes while ignoring real issues like sugar content. The hosts discuss whether the Make America Healthy Again movement has lost its way.

BUT WAIT --- there's more!

Stick around for an exclusive Case IH interview recorded live at Farm Progress Show. Natalie talks with livestock specialist Brian Williams about the new Farm All lineup, including the return of the historic Super M tractor and innovations in telematics technology.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Parasites in wild salmon and the importance of flash freezing

🪩 Post Malone's Paris fashion debut and western authenticity debates

🪩 Babybel conspiracy theories and charcuterie grooming tactics

🪩 Starbucks launches protein cold foam lattes

🪩 Why Maha washing could make Americans less healthy

🪩 Case IH Farm All series updates and legacy tractors

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro & Headlines

02:11 Discovery 1: The Dirty Truth of Wild-Caught Salmon

13:47 Sponsor Break (Sunrise Flour Mill & Wonder Cow)

14:55 Discovery 2: Post Malone's Fashion Debut

25:51 Discovery 3: Babybel Conspiracy Theory

31:28 Sponsor Break (Cozy Earth & Farm Wife Tallow)

34:28 Quick Debrief: Starbucks Launches Protein Lattes

36:11 Discovery 4: Why the Maha Grocery Trend Will Backfire

48:08 Case IH Interview with Brian Williams

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik --- western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher --- and @TaraVanderDussen --- sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

🪩 JOIN CLUB DISCOVER

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Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 226 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into the headlines shaping agriculture, policy, and culture — with their usual dose of snark and sincerity.

First up: The raw meat trend taking over social media. From carnivore to completely raw, influencers are eating uncooked steak, liver, and butter straight from the stick. The hosts explore why ex-vegans are leading this movement and what it says about our relationship with extreme diets and social media virality.

Then, Cracker Barrel's $700 million rebrand disaster that wiped out Uncle Herschel and the iconic barrel — only to reverse course within days after massive backlash. Natalie and Tara unpack why nostalgia branding matters more than ever and how one comedian's take perfectly captured what went wrong.

Next, CAT Construction nails viral marketing with their Taylor Swift engagement post, proving that sometimes the best brand moments come from jumping into cultural conversations at exactly the right time. Plus, the agricultural connections hiding in plain sight behind celebrity moments.

And finally, California's almond industry faces an unexpected enemy: rats. With $300 million in damages and 100,000+ acres affected, this rodent invasion is threatening 80% of the world's almond supply. But is this crisis as new as headlines suggest?

BUT WAIT — there's more!

Stick around for an exclusive interview recorded live at Farm Progress with Case IH, diving deep into their newest Steiger 785 Quad Track — the highest horsepower tractor to date. From precision tech to operator comfort, Mark Burns and Kendall Quandahl break down what 853 peak horsepower means for modern farming.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Raw meat trend: When carnivore goes extreme 🪩 Cracker Barrel's $700M rebrand fail and quick recovery 🪩 CAT Construction's viral Taylor Swift marketing win 🪩 Flesh-eating screwworm update from Mexico border 🪩 California's $300M rat problem threatens global almond supply 🪩 Case IH unveils game-changing Steiger 785 Quad Track

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro + What's in This Episode 01:15 Merch winner + What we Said at Farm Progress02:55 Discovery 1: #FoodTok and the Raw Meat Carnivore Trend09:10 Does Being Vegan Make You Sick?20:23 Sponsor Break - Mary T. Faber for Your Accounting22:59 Sponsor Break - Tubes & Co. for Your Skincare Needs23:46 Discovery 2: Cracker Barrel's Failed Rebrand32:32 Brand Accountability and Other Marketing Lessons34:16 Discovery 3: CAT Construction - Taylor Swift Engagement Collab41:36 Sponsor Break - Our Farms: Farm-Fresh Food at Your Doorstep43:40 Sponsor Break - Sunrise Flour Mill: The Best Flour Ever44:24 How Does the Flesh-Eating Screw-Worm Affect You?46:32 Discovery 4: Rats and California's Almond Industry – Scale & Solutions55:29 Closing thoughts + Next on 'Discover on the Road'57:15 Case IH Interview (full) — Steiger 7-85 Quad Track

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 225 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into the headlines shaping food safety, viral culture, and wellness misinformation — with their usual dose of snark and sincerity.

First up: A Florida mom's devastating lawsuit after raw milk labeled "not for human consumption" allegedly sickened her toddler and led to miscarriage. The hosts unpack the regulatory gray areas, the role of wellness influencers, and why "it's safe until it isn't" captures the raw milk debate perfectly.

Then, Arizona's viral dance crew takes center stage. These young girls from Mesa's Impact Dance company danced their way to internet fame with "Tulsa Time" and scored a dream moment on stage with Lainey Wilson. The hosts celebrate age-appropriate representation and genuine talent in a world of overly sexualized youth performance.

Next, they taste-test Lady Gaga's viral wine and Diet Coke combination (spoiler: Tara's not impressed). What started as a trendy drink reveal turns into a cultural lesson about Spanish cocktail traditions and how American influencers often miss the mark on cultural context.

And finally, a deep dive into GMO cheese misinformation. When a wellness influencer with 600K followers claims Pfizer is secretly putting GMOs in 90% of US cheese, the hosts break down the science behind fermentation-produced chymosin and why fear-mongering about food processes helps no one.

BUT WAIT — there's more!

Stick around for their disco debrief on Ballerina Farm's new brick-and-mortar store in Utah, plus sponsor shoutouts that'll have you stocking your pantry with heritage flour and farm-fresh everything.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Raw milk lawsuits and regulatory loopholes 🪩 Arizona dance crew's viral moment with Lainey Wilson 🪩 Lady Gaga's wine + Diet Coke cultural appropriation moment 🪩 Ballerina Farm goes brick-and-mortar 🪩 The truth about GMO cheese (spoiler: it's not scary)

CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro & Headlines 02:00 - Discovery 1: Inside the Raw Milk Lawsuit in Florida 07:40 - Raw Milk Safety and the Grey Area of State Regulations 15:00 - Banning Raw Milk? 19:57 - Arizona Dance Crew Goes Viral 29:00 - Discovery 3: Lady Gaga's Wine + Diet Coke Drink 39:31 - Disco Debrief: Ballerina Farm's New Brick & Mortar Store 47:00 - Discovery 4: What's the Gist on GMO Cheese? 58:18 - Is "Natural" an Emotional Label?

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 224 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into the latest food tech controversies, celebrity collabs, and policy changes shaping agriculture — with their usual dose of skepticism and ranch wisdom.

First up: Bill Gates-backed lab-grown butter made from carbon hits the headlines. The hosts tear apart the sustainability claims, question who's actually asking for this tech, and explain why consumers aren't buying what Silicon Valley is selling. Spoiler alert: it's giving major Beyond Meat bankruptcy vibes.

Then, Molly Yeh teams up with Tractor Supply for a clothing line that actually makes sense. Unlike the butter debacle, this collaboration taps into real market demand for functional women's workwear that doesn't look like hand-me-downs from your husband's closet.

Plus, Keith Urban's new reality show "The Road" promises to shake up the singing competition format with real concerts and audience voting. The hosts break down why this tour-meets-TV concept could be the next big hit.

BUT WAIT — there's more!

The FDA is finally fixing a 1963 regulation that's been blocking Florida oranges from juice production. With citrus greening threatening the industry and two-thirds of orange juice coming from imports, this bricks content change could be a game-changer for domestic production.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Lab-grown butter gets the Gates treatment (and the internet's rejection) 🪩 Molly Yay x Tractor Supply: workwear that works 🪩 Keith Urban's tour-reality show hybrid 🪩 Wagyu misinformation strikes again 🪩 FDA orange juice standards get a much-needed update

CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro & Headlines: Butter from carbon, Tractor Supply collab, Keith Urban show & more 01:26 - Discovery 1: Bill Gates-Backed Lab-Grown Butter? Why???  06:12 - Do Consumers Even Want Food Tech?  11:12 -  Would You Try Lab Butter?  16:00 - Women in Ag Events: Farm Progress Show & Husker Harvest Days  18:03 - Tractor Supply x Molly Yeh: Celebrity chef's farm-inspired clothing line  25:00 - Discovery 3: Keith Urban's New TV Show - Country music competition with Blake Shelton  39:51 - Discovery 4: Is Wagyu Beef really diseased?  45:00 - Discovery 5: Florida Orange Juice Crisis - FDA changes rules to help citrus industry 53:23 - What to Expect Next Week

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

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Want more Discover Ag? Become part of our exclusive Club Discover on Facebook!

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DUCKWORTH Code "DISCOVER" 10% off

Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Ep 223 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into the headlines shaping agriculture, policy, and culture — with their usual dose of snark and sincerity 🙂

First up: Tanner Smith from Netflix's "Love on the Spectrum" takes us to the peanut fields with his farmer dad in a heartwarming reel that's gone viral with 3 million views. The hosts dive into peanut production facts, from Georgia's dominance in the market to New Mexico's surprising top-10 status, plus why peanuts aren't actually nuts at all.

Next, they tackle a fear-mongering salmon reel spreading misinformation about farm-raised versus wild-caught fish. Drawing from their recent YouTube interview with an Alaskan fisherwoman, Natalie and Tara separate fact from fiction on Atlantic salmon, color additives, and why frozen might be better than fresh.

Then, a lighthearted dairy defense reel gets the spotlight as an influencer claps back at the "only species that drinks milk" argument with a perfectly snarky response about mango chili margaritas. The hosts discuss why dairy gets so much online hate and address misconceptions about artificial insemination and calf separation.

And finally, the Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall draws both praise and controversy. While celebrating the showcase of farmers from across the nation, the hosts unpack the disappointing news that it replaced an existing seasonal USDA farmers market that was quietly cancelled.

BUT WAIT — there's more!

Stick around for a disco debrief on recent SNAP benefit restrictions targeting sugary drinks and junk food. With 14 states now approved to implement these changes starting January 2026, Natalie and Tara weigh the complex debate around government control versus public health initiatives.

What We Discovered This Week 🤠

🪩 Viral peanut education with Love on the Spectrum's Tanner Smith

🪩 Salmon fear-mongering and the truth about farm-raised fish

🪩 Dairy defense and mango chili margarita comebacks

🪩 The Great American Farmers Market controversy

🪩 SNAP restrictions on sugary drinks across 14 states

CHAPTERS: 05:33 Peanut Production Facts & Growing Regions 09:14 Love on the Spectrum Meets Agriculture 17:15 Salmon Fear-Mongering Reel Breakdown 19:01 Wild-Caught vs Farm-Raised Salmon Truth 28:06 Dairy Defense and Online Activism 32:57 Artificial Insemination Reality Check 39:19 SNAP Benefits Disco Debrief 43:47 Great American Farmers Market Recap 48:26 Farmers Market Controversy & Missing USDA Market

🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG

A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by @NatalieKovarik — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and @TaraVanderDussen — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.

🪩 JOIN CLUB DISCOVER

Want more Discover Ag? Become part of our exclusive Club Discover on Facebook!

• Vote on the articles we cover

• Connect with other Disco listeners

• Discover behind-the-scenes content

🎉 Join the community: https://facebook.com/groups/clubdiscover

📲 CONNECT WITH US ONLINE

• Website: https://discoverag.com/ 

• Podcast: https://pod.link/1615443750 

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/discoveragpodcast 

• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@discoveragpodcast 

🤝PARTNERS AND SPONSORSHIPS

MARY T FABER Bookkeeping Services for Rural Entrepreneurs

OUR FARMS Code "DISCOVER" 10%

ARMRA COLOSTRUM SUPPLEMENT Code "DISCOVER" 15% off (first order)

SWEETWATER PILLOWS Code "DISCOVER" for a free tote

TOUPS & CO Use link for 20% off

FARM WIFE TALLOW Code "DISCOVER" 10% off

TURTLEBOX OUTDOOR SPEAKERS Code "DISCOVER" free hat

COZY EARTH Code "DISCOVER" 40% off

SUNRISE FLOUR MILL Code "DISCOVER" 10% off

DUCKWORTH Code "DISCOVER" 10% off

Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.