On this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we sit down with Michelle Dudash, RDN — award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist, Le Cordon Bleu–certified chef, and author of Clean Eating for Busy Families and The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook. Michelle brings a rare combination to the table: professional chef training plus a registered dietitian's science-backed approach. The result is food that is nourishing, realistic, and delicious for busy households.

We talk about:

• How she went from Wisconsin kitchens and a dietetics degree to five-star restaurants and cookbook fame
• Why "clean eating" doesn't have to mean complicated or joyless
• Practical ways to get high-protein, lower-sugar, Mediterranean-style meals on the table fast
• Lessons from feeding her own family while building Spicekick and a national media career
• What happens when a trained chef and a nutritionist live in the same person

If you want healthy meals that fit real life — not a perfect kitchen — this conversation is for you. For those that view the video, you'll get a "Spicekick" out of the video!

Resources for Michelle Dudash | Le Cordon Bleu–Certified Chef & RDN

Michelle Dudash Website | Instagram | Spicekick Website

Additional Resources

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

On this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, farm girl Julie Murphree and Nutrition Ninja Tammy Baker sit down with Cassy England, a fourth-generation Arizona farmer in Pinal and Pima Counties. Cassy shares her family's story that began in 1932, how she returned to the land after college, and what it takes to manage roughly 6,500 acres of cotton, alfalfa, wheat, barley, corn, and oats in the desert. Listeners will hear how careful crop rotation keeps soil healthy, how precision irrigation stretches every acre-foot of water, and why alfalfa grown on Arizona farms becomes nutritious feed for dairy and beef cattle. She talks about the reality of family-run operations, the people who make the farm work, new technology and programs that boost efficiency, water challenges in Pinal County, and her work on the USDA board and as President of the Arizona Cotton Growers. Tune in for a real look at how local family farms connect the field to your plate—sustainable practices, desert innovation, and the next generation of growers keeping Arizona food and fiber moving. Every bite closer to the farm gate. Listen on your favorite podcast platform. Supported by the Arizona Farm Bureau and Arizona Milk Producers.

Resources for Cassy England | Arizona Cotton Farmer

Arizona Cotton Growers Association | Instagram

Additional Resources

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

Idaho farmer and former National Pork Producers Council president Dave Roper joins Fill Your Plate Now from his multi-generational family farm in Kimberly, in Idaho's Magic Valley. Roper raises hogs in a farrow-to-finish operation alongside cattle and irrigated crops such as potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, and alfalfa. He also owns MVP LLC Environmental Services, a custom manure-handling and nutrient-application business built around turning livestock manure from a management challenge into a crop resource. Roper traces how the farm has evolved, what pulled him into farming and later into environmental services, and the values he wants the next generation to carry forward. He walks listeners through modern hog care—from farrowing to finish—and explains why manure injection, nutrient recycling, and careful application matter for soil fertility, water quality, odor, and emissions. He also shares lessons from USDA research comparing manure application methods, the newest stewardship tools showing up in irrigated livestock country, and how pork fits on a sustainable, nutritious plate. If you've ever wondered what "closing the loop" looks like on a real farm—or how pork producers balance production, community expectations, and the environment—this conversation connects the barn, the field, and the dinner plate.

Additional Resources

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

Join Colleen Sloan, a pediatric Physician Associate and Registered Dietitian with over 15 years of experience, as she delves into the world of child nutrition. In this episode, Colleen discusses the critical importance of good nutrition during childhood and addresses common challenges families face, such as dietary myths and the important role of dairy in growth and development. Discover practical strategies for fostering healthy eating habits without the stress of mealtime battles, and learn how nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and mental well-being intertwine to support children's health. Colleen also shares insights on making informed dietary choices amidst the noise of social media, empowering both families and healthcare professionals to nurture confident, healthy eaters.

Resources for Colleen Sloan | Nutrition for Clinicians | Pediatric Physician Assistant (PA-C), Registered Dietitian (RDN), and the creator of the Exam Room Nutrition Podcast

Exam Room Nutrition Podcast | Instagram | LinkedIn

Additional Resources

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

In today's conversation, we'll explore the role of dairy throughout the lifecycle—from infancy and childhood to adulthood and healthy aging. Joining us is Lauren Peña, a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master's degree in organizational leadership whose career has been dedicated to advancing nutrition education, promoting healthier communities, and translating evidence-based nutrition science into practical guidance. Lauren serves as the Manager of Nutrition and Sustainability at the Dairy Council of Arizona, where she works to educate healthcare professionals and the public about dairy's role in health, address food insecurity, and promote sustainable dairy practices.

Together, we'll discuss the essential nutrients dairy provides, how dairy recommendations change across different stages of life, common myths and misconceptions, and practical strategies for incorporating dairy into a balanced eating pattern. Whether you're a healthcare professional, parent, educator, or simply interested in nutrition, this episode offers science-based insights and practical takeaways to support healthy eating at every age.

Resources for Lauren Peña | Head of Production, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.

Dairy Council of Arizona (About Us) | Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Board of Directors) | LinkedIn

Additional Resources

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

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company has become a leader in craft beer by proving that great beer starts with great local ingredients. Since opening in 2013, the brewery has embraced Arizona's agricultural community, partnering with local farmers, ranchers, dairies, and food producers to create beers and menu offerings that celebrate the state's rich and diverse landscape. From locally grown fruit and grains to Arizona-produced dairy, honey, herbs, and other seasonal ingredients, Arizona Wilderness is committed to supporting regional producers while advancing sustainable practices that help conserve the state's natural resources.

Joining the conversation is Brewmaster Brad Miles, whose extensive brewing experience brings a new level of technical expertise and innovation to the brewery. Today, he leads brewing operations at Arizona Wilderness, creating beers that reflect the brewery's commitment to local agriculture, community partnerships, and world-class craftsmanship.

In this episode, we explore how Arizona Wilderness is redefining what it means to be a community brewery—building lasting relationships with Arizona growers and producers, creating exceptional beer from locally sourced ingredients, and demonstrating how agriculture, sustainability, and innovation can come together to strengthen both the local economy and the craft beer experience.

Resources for Brad Miles | Head of Production, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.

AZ Wilderness Website | Facebook | Instagram

Additional Resources

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

Water is the lifeblood of the desert—but conversations about Arizona's most precious resource are often buried in statistics, policy debates, and impersonal headlines. In this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we sit down with Arizona Farm Bureau's Julie Murphree and Arizona Milk Producer's Tammy Baker to unpack their powerful mini-documentary Growing Home: Arizona and discover why they chose to tell the state's water story through the real lives of three families instead of charts and talking points. The documentary lets you meet the Bales family farming in Buckeye, the Caywood family with deep roots in Pinal County, and the Lopez family in a growing metro Phoenix neighborhood. Their different relationships with water reveal a simple truth: every Arizona resident—rural or urban—is connected to this resource. We explore how the film humanizes water scarcity, highlights agriculture's vital role in food production, jobs, family operations, and strong communities, and why including a non-farming family's perspective was essential. You'll also learn the difference between the 24-minute documentary and the shorter version, where to watch and share them, how the film is resonating so far, and the deeper meaning behind the closing message: "Growing food. Growing communities. Growing home."

Tune in for a hopeful, human look at water stewardship and the shared responsibility that can help Arizona keep growing—together.

Growing Home: Arizona

Watch Now On The Arizona Farm Bureau Page for Growing Home: Arizona

Additional Resources

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

In this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we welcome back Sam Barncastle of the Family Farm Alliance to dive deep into the urgent need to modernize aging Western water infrastructure that family farms depend on. From 50 to 100+ year-old dams, reservoirs, canals, and conveyance systems to the critical role of both engineered and natural infrastructure (aquifers and watershed management), Sam breaks down exactly what upgrades and new capacity are needed right now for reliable water delivery.

We explore:

• The most critical infrastructure projects that could transform reliability for irrigators
• On-farm technology and efficiency upgrades farmers are prioritizing
• How unreliable upstream systems limit what producers can achieve with drip irrigation and precision tools
• The real barriers holding progress back—permitting delays under NEPA, ESA consultations, Clean Water Act processes, endless litigation, and flawed funding structures
• Concrete examples of projects stuck for years and practical ideas coming straight from farmers and water managers
• What smarter, long-term funding and streamlined regulatory reforms would look like

If you care about food security, Western agriculture, and fixing the systems that keep water flowing to family farms, this conversation delivers the clear-eyed analysis and solutions you need. Listen now to learn what's standing in the way and what it will take to fix it.

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 as we sit down with Nancy Caywood, a third-generation farmer at Caywood Farms near Casa Grande in Pinal County, Arizona. With roots tracing back to land acquired around 1930, Nancy blends her background as an elementary teacher (BA from ASU) and holder of a Master's in Agricultural Education (University of Arizona) with hands-on farm life. In this episode, Nancy shares the story of her family's multi-generational cotton and alfalfa/hay operation, how she created the award-winning FARM SMART ag-literacy program in California that reached over 100,000 people, and why she launched the popular Caywood Farm Tours in 2011 after retiring from teaching. Discover what visitors find most eye-opening during hayrides, equipment demos, and the "Cotton's Long Journey from Seed to Bale" presentations — even when fields are fallow. Nancy opens up about today's toughest challenges: persistent drought, reduced irrigation water from the Gila River system, flood irrigation realities, and the difficult decisions around fallowing fields. Yet she remains hopeful, discussing conservation practices, the critical role of policy and infrastructure improvements, and how Arizona Farm Bureau involvement (including Women's Leadership and the Go Team) helps farmers advocate effectively. She also explores family succession with son Travis and the grandkids stepping up, her philosophy of farming with purpose, common consumer misconceptions about agriculture, and the power of music, fun, and personal connection in bridging the gap between farms and families. Whether you're a consumer, educator, or fellow ag advocate, this episode is packed with inspiration on why agricultural literacy matters and how the next generation can keep family farms thriving. Tune in for stories of resilience, education, and the heart of Arizona agriculture!

Resources for Nancy Caywood | Caywood Farms

Caywood Farms Website | Farm Bureau Article | Facebook | LinkedIn.

Additional Resources

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

Join hosts Tammy Baker and Julie Murphree on Fill Your Plate Now for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Michelle Schack—Arizona dairy veterinarian, mom, social media educator known as The Dairy Doc, and co-founder of DairyKind.

Dr. Schack shares the story behind her new children's book, DairyDoc's Discovery Goggles: Milk from Cow to Carton, which takes young readers on an exciting journey through the milk supply chain—from the farm and bulk tanks to processing plants, pasteurization, and grocery shelves. Inspired by kids' questions (and misconceptions) about where milk really comes from, this fun, educational adventure highlights the science, teamwork, and dedicated people behind one of America's favorite foods. Tune in to explore how this book sparks curiosity in the next generation, bridges the farm-to-table gap, supports agricultural literacy, and encourages appreciation for modern dairy farming, animal care, and the careers that make it all possible. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply curious about your food, this episode delivers wholesome insights and practical ways to talk to kids about nutrition and agriculture. Available now on all major podcast platforms—don't miss this fresh take on filling your plate with knowledge!

Resources for Dr. Michelle Schack | Arizona Dairy Veterinarian | Mom | Social Media Educator | The Dairy Doc | Co-founder of DairyKind

Get The Book via Amazon | Dr. Schack's Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Additional Resources

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