Donna & Lonna give some good advice for the new year, including a list of things to do less of and things to do more of.   Donna and Lonna talk about processed food, PFAS, being good to yourself, reading food labels, black eyed peas, garden carrots in December, bone broth, cooking your own food and brownies.

Donna and Lonna review the Christmas Season and take a look forward to the New Year. Donna gives her review of a robotic cocktail machine, Lonna talks about cookies, we talk about some new flavors for baking, bird feeders, and Donna suggests some savory treats. And we talk about Champagne and other holiday bubbles with Anne Kinzel.

Food prices keep rising. Ag business seems to grow larger every day. Where does the farmer fit into this puzzle?   In this episode, Donna and Lonna talk to Aaron Lehman, Iowa farmer and president of the Iowa Farmers Union. They talk about the Farm Bill, the price of groceries, the politics of food policy and the farmer's voice at the table.   We find out that 'politics is the way we allocate resources'. Perhaps now is a good time to define a better vision for agriculture.

Donna and Lonna talk with author, Beth Howard about pies, world travel and the power of peace and goodwill in the kitchen.   Beth is the author of "World Piece: A Pie Baker's Global Quest for Peace, Love, and Understanding." Rolling pins, pie crust, sweet and savory pies, mincemeat, French Silk pie, Cornish Pasties and more.

A look ahead to the holiday season. Red and green, deck the halls, fa la la... Donna and Lonna talk to Christmas tree and apple grower Chris Deal from Deal's Orchard near Jefferson, Iowa about tree management, harvest and sales. Also great tasting apple varieties, fresh and hard ciders and the holiday spirit at the Deal's farm store and tasting room. We also talk to Kenny McCabe about poinsettias.

Donna and Lonna talk with local forester, Luke Gran about the history, management, growing and harvesting of chestnuts.

Donna has good advice about how to prepare and enjoy chestnuts. 

Here is another one: Farming the Soil with Amber Anderson. DonnaLonna Kitchen takes a look at the ingredients in the soil.   We interview Amber Anderson, a soil expert from the Iowa State University Agronomy department.   Donna and Lonna talk about fertilizer, additives, nutrients and nitrogen. What goes into the growing of our food? Are these good things? Are they not so good things? Why do farmers make the decisions they do?

Donna and Lonna take a look at Halloween tips and traditions with recipes -  Popcorn, Nut Brittles, a giant pumpkin and review of a book for the season "Dancing in the Streets: a History of Collective Joy" by Barbara Ehrenreich.

On this episode of the Donna Lonna Kitchen podcast, Donna and Lonna talk about hog confinement, gestation crates, pasture-raised pork and the controversy over California Proposition 12 that was approved by a majority of state voters.    John talks about raising pork on his Iowa farm according to the Niman Ranch protocols: humanely, on pasture, and with a focus on fair prices for producers and support for rural communities.    We explore why Cal Prop 12 is being challenged by 'big pork' producers all the way to the United States Supreme Court.   Donna also gives a report on her fermented/pickled tomato experiment.

Donna and Lonna discuss recipes and ruminations about fall favorites including: squash, sage, pumpkins, buckwheat, leeks and new take on Rice Krispy Treats.