Farmside Chat

What does it take to grow the "perfect" Christmas tree? Johnny Wishon, owner of Wishon Evergreens in Sparta, North Carolina, joins AFBF President Duvall to discuss what happens the other 364 days a year to grow our favorite holiday centerpieces.

What are the key issues facing farm country leading up to the election? What is the importance of the rural vote? Sara Wyant, president of Agri-Pulse Communications, and Cody Lyon, AFBF's managing director of advocacy and political affairs programs, join AFBF President Zippy Duvall to discuss.

Farm strength takes many forms and our rural communities are stronger when we come together to prioritize our mental health. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sits down with California farmer Tara Beaver Coronado and Colorado Farm Bureau Executive Vice President to discuss what tools and outlets are available to address rural stress and prioritize mental health.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, employee safety and the security of the food supply have been top priorities of farmers and food companies as the challenges of this crisis have unfolded. FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin and South Carolina farmer Chalmers Carr chat with AFBF President Duvall about what's next as the food chain adapts to major shifts in demand, as well as efforts on the farm and in local grocery stores to protect frontline employees.

Farmers can't do the work of sustainability alone but rely on partnerships with innovative researchers and companies to provide the latest tools and technology for reducing their environmental footprint. Bayer crop scientist Dr. Calvin Treat and OptimaBio engineer Mark Maloney chat with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about the latest projects and cutting-edge technology from their companies.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the newest book from Feeding Minds Press, "Chuck's Ice Cream Wish" with American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture executive director Daniel Meloy and illustrator Ward Jenkins.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert and Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening join AFBF President Zippy Duvall to share on-the-ground efforts from their members and staff to get food from the farm to those who need it most in this crisis.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall is joined by Minnesota beef producer Peter Bakken and AFBF Economist Michael Nepveux to discuss the challenges facing livestock markets during COVID-19.

Come rain or shine, farmers are caring for their land and resources, leading the way in agricultural sustainability. AFBF President Zippy Duvall gets down to the numbers on impact and greenhouse gas emissions with Chief Economist John Newton and talks with Washington apple grower April Clayton about how her family farm stays green.

As America's farmers rise to address challenges with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Executive Vice President Dale Moore discuss what agriculture faces moving forward and how farmers are doing their part to protect our food supply.