Join us for a delightful and inspiring episode of Fill Your Plate Now with 9-year-old Carey Dobson and his mom, Alex, a Northern Arizona ranching family with deep roots in Arizona agriculture. In this entertaining interview, young 4-H member Carey shares his favorite (and least favorite!) ranch chores, a hilarious calf escape story, and how he bravely wrote and delivered his own speech to win the Treasurer position in just his second 4-H meeting. Mom Alex opens up about how they approach chores and character-building with their young children, while Carey talks about his trip to the American Farm Bureau National Convention, his love for steak, what bravery means to him, and whether he dreams of continuing the ranching tradition. This episode is full of laughs, heartfelt moments, and real-life lessons on courage, responsibility, and growing up on a ranch. Whether you're a farm family, 4-H supporter, or just love hearing from the next generation of agriculturalists, Carey's energy and wisdom will fill your plate and warm your heart! This episode is perfect for families, educators, and anyone who believes in raising kids with grit and joy.

Resources for Alex Dobson & Son, Carey | Arizona Farm Bureau's Young Farmer & Rancher Family

Dobson Family Facebook | Dobson 1886 Instagram

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

We sit down with Sierra Anthony — meat scientist, owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC, and a force of nature in the meat industry. Growing up on a grain and cow-calf farm in rural Ohio, Sierra discovered her passion for meat science in college and never looked back. She's coached collegiate meat judging teams, earned her master's researching innovative carcass fabrication, and now travels the country with her unique in-house butcher training program that helps small and mid-sized processors build skilled labor without sending teams away for weeks. Sierra shares her "aha" moment in meat science, the biggest skill gaps she sees in today's processing workforce, and the simple butchery and aging techniques that dramatically improve taste and texture.

As an adult-onset hunter (Adult discovery for the love of hunting) and competitive athlete, she delivers hard-earned field-to-table advice, favorite underutilized cuts home cooks should try, and straight talk on red meat in a healthy diet. We also dive into what separates good butchers from truly great ones, how proper training strengthens local food systems, consumer demand for transparency and a celebration of farming and ranching, and what it means to be a woman leading in a traditionally male-dominated field (including her recent COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 recognition and competing in the 2025 World Butcher Challenge in Paris).

Whether you buy meat, raise it, process it, or just love eating it, this conversation delivers practical, inspiring insights on how skilled butchery bridges producers, processors, and consumers — creating more sustainable systems and higher-quality protein on American plates. We also celebrate Anthony as Arizona Farm Bureau's keynote speaker during our Summer Agricultural Conference this coming July!

Resources for Sierra Anthony, Meat, Beef, and Butchery Enthusiast | Owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC

Butcher Solutions Website | Butcher Solutions Instagram | Sierra Anthony's LinkedIn

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

In this inspiring episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we welcome Jerry Brown, Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's Food Bank. With 17 years at the organization, and more than 20 years prior as a respected Valley sportswriter covering the Suns, Coyotes, and Diamondbacks, Jerry brings a unique perspective to the fight against hunger. Our farm gate to your plate focus, dives deep into the importance of making food available to those with limited resources. Discover the remarkable story of St. Mary's Food Bank—the very first food bank established in the United States. Today, it stands as one of the largest food banks in the world, proudly serving millions of meals each year across Arizona and beyond. Recognized as a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator, one of America's Top 100 Charities by Forbes, and the Largest Phoenix-Area Nonprofit Organization for Service Assistance according to the Phoenix Business Journal, St. Mary's continues to lead with compassion and impact. Join us for an engaging conversation about the power of community, the evolution of hunger relief, and how one organization's mission continues to fill plates and change lives across the Valley and the nation. Whether you're passionate about local impact or simply want to learn how you can help, this episode will leave you inspired.

Resources for Jerry Brown | Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's Food Bank

St. Mary's Food Bank Website | Jerry Brown's LinkedIn.

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

On today's episode, we're joined by Dr. Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council. Dr. Ricklefs-Johnson leads research initiatives focused on childhood health, precision nutrition, and women's health—helping shape the science behind dairy's role in overall wellness. In this conversation, she breaks down the latest research and, more importantly, translates the science into practical, real-life solutions you can apply to everyday nutrition and health decisions. A registered dietitian with a PhD in nutritional sciences, Dr. Ricklefs-Johnson brings a strong academic foundation and is actively involved in leading organizations like the American Society for Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Today, she joins us to share how evolving nutrition science is shaping personalized health—and what it means for you at the table.

Resources for Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, PhD, RDN | Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council

National Dairy Council | LinkedIn

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Samantha Barncastle, Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance, is an attorney with 17+ years in water law and natural resources, a multigenerational farm kid, and a farmer's wife in New Mexico's Mesilla Valley. In this powerful episode of Fill Your Plate Now, Sam shares her journey from the youngest attorney licensed in New Mexico to leading the fight for Western irrigated agriculture—the region that grows the majority of America's specialty crops, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dairy. From the history of the Family Farm Alliance (founded nearly 30 years ago by farmers concerned about water and land issues in the west) to today's biggest threats—aging dams and canals, regulatory delays, litigation, and policy hurdles—Sam breaks down why reliable water delivery in the 17 Western states is the hidden backbone of America's food security, rural economies, and national resilience.

What you'll learn:

• Why Western irrigated agriculture is so exceptionally productive
• How water infrastructure directly affects what ends up on your plate
• Current policy and regulatory pressures facing family farmers and ranchers
• Economic headwinds in 2025–2026 and how producers are navigating them
• Bright spots: innovations in precision irrigation, new crop varieties, and public-private partnerships
• A farmer-to-farmer message for the next generation and a simple call to action for consumers everywhere

Whether you're a farmer, rancher, policymaker, or just someone who eats, this conversation shows how keeping Western family farms viable keeps plates full across the entire country. If you care about where your food comes from, rural communities, or water policy that actually works for farmers, hit play, like, comment, and subscribe to Fill Your Plate Now for more conversations that matter.

Resources for Samantha Barncastle | Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance

The Family Farm Alliance Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Join us on Fill Your Plate Now for an incredibly fun and informative conversation with Arizona's beloved chef, and cooking instructor Jan D'Atri! In this episode, Jan shares her infectious joy for cooking and dives deep into her most popular class topics with practical, game-changing tips you can use immediately in your kitchen. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced home cook, Jan's warm, enthusiastic style and pro-level insights will leave you excited to get back in the kitchen!

Resources for Jan D'Atri

Jan D'Atri's Website | @Jan.Datri on Instagram | Jan's YouTube Page | Sweet Basil's Schedule of Jan's Cooking Classes

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Join us on Fill Your Plate Now for an incredibly fun and informative conversation with Arizona's beloved chef, and cooking instructor Jan D'Atri! In this episode, Jan shares her infectious joy for cooking and dives deep into her most popular class topics with practical, game-changing tips you can use immediately in your kitchen:

• Why garlic is her ultimate passion — and the one mistake that makes her want to "come to your house and arrest you!" 😂
• The real reason you should take steak out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking, plus which cuts to use for different recipes.
• Simple seasonings that elevate meats, chicken, and fish — along with the perfect cooking temperatures for each.
• Sourdough secrets from her always-sold-out series (this craze isn't going away!).
• Cheese mastery: fresh ricotta, mozzarella, paneer, mascarpone, cheese curds & more — it's all about the milk!
• Smart tomato storing and charring tips.
• Arizona's surprising Italian connection through Yuma and Jan's incredible new way to cook pasta… in milk!
• The incredible umami power of brown butter.
• The mushroom game changer that 99% of people get wrong.
• Sensational salads, Jan brings one of her favorites to share!

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced home cook, Jan's warm, enthusiastic style and pro-level insights will leave you excited to get back in the kitchen and "fill your plate now!"

Resources for Jan D'Atri

Jan D'Atri's Website | @Jan.Datri on Instagram | Jan's YouTube Page | Sweet Basil's Schedule of Jan's Cooking Classes

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Men's Health Nutrition Adviser and high-performance mentor Dezi Abeyta, RDN, joins hosts Julie Murphree and Tammy Baker to talk real talk about food, family, culture, and performance. Dezi shares powerful lessons from his abuela's kitchen, why you have the ability to train like an elite athlete, and practical ways to fuel your body and your life without extreme diets or giving up the foods you love. From sports nutrition and recovery to building sustainable habits for busy parents and high-achievers, this conversation blends science, culture, and everyday wisdom. If you want to eat better, feel better, and perform at a higher level while honoring where your food comes from — this episode is for you. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes celebrating real food, real farmers, and real nutrition!

Resources for Dezi Abeyta, RDN

Dezi's Website | Podcast "Can't Believe I Made It!" | LinkedIn | Instagram | Men's Health

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

In this must-watch episode of Fill Your Plate Now, American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Danny Munch breaks down the brutal reality facing U.S. farmers and ranchers heading into 2026. From the "Tale of Two Farm Economies", splitting winners and losers by region and commodity, to USDA's latest net farm income projections that remain under heavy pressure, Danny delivers the unfiltered economic trends shaping agriculture right now. He dives deep into sky-high input costs, the growing reliance on off-farm income, shrinking dairy herds, milk supply shifts, and whether bringing whole milk back to schools could actually help dairy producers. You'll also hear the latest on trade tensions with China, supply chain disruptions, and how drought and natural disasters continue to hammer farm bottom lines. Plus, Danny shares the ripple effects dairy changes are having on beef and protein markets—and what gives him real optimism for the year ahead, including innovation and potential policy wins. Whether you're a farmer, rancher, agribusiness professional, or just someone who cares about where your food comes from, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you won't hear anywhere else. If you care about the future of American agriculture, hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Fill Your Plate Now for more straight-talk episodes with the experts who matter.

Resources for Danny Munch | American Farm Bureau Federation Economist

The American Farm Bureau Federation Website and Publications | LinkedIn

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

In this landmark episode of Fill Your Plate Now — the first time we've welcomed an Arizona winemaker to the show — we sit down with Emil Molin, founder, owner, and executive winemaker of Cove Mesa Vineyard in Arizona's stunning Verde Valley AVA. Join us as Emil shares his remarkable journey: retiring, diving into viticulture and enology studies, launching an ultra-premium family winery with his wife, Cindy, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and quickly earning awards for their elegant, old-world-style wines that showcase the unique Arizona terroir. From meticulous craftsmanship, discover what makes Cove Mesa a rising star in Arizona wine country. Whether you're a wine lover, aspiring vintner, or just curious about local food and agriculture stories, this conversation is full of passion, perseverance, and plenty of sips of inspiration.

Resources for The Molin Family | Co-Owners of Cove Mesa Vineyard

Cove Mesa Vineyard | Instagram

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau