In this special episode, we get answers as to why the Earth is shaking so much beneath our feet in northern New York State! We don't get Earthquakes, or at least that is what we thought. But in the last two weeks we've had two Earth quakes and nine after shocks, all centered in the Adams Center area of Jefferson County, NY. Is this the War of Worlds coming to life? Are there secret government installations operation deep beneath our agricultural fields? Or is this just normal?

We interview Dr. David Valentino, a professor of geology at the State University of New York at Oswego. Dr. Valentino has spent a tremendous amount of time researching the geology of central and northern New York and he gives us the facts about what is happening beneath our feet.

Ron and Jay sit down with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball and dig deep into important topics like climate change, water quality and environmental stewardship and how agriculture is doing as a steward of the environment. Our discussion hits on the importance of fossil fuels to the food processing industry in NY.

We also harvest information about the NYS budget and how agriculture might benefit when the budget passes. Towards the end of the conversation, we talk with the Commissioner about his marquee' accomplishment, the Taste NY program, celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Jay and Ron sit down with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY24th) with a an extensive chat about agricultural issues. Congresswoman Tenney has been touring her extensive District that has a rich variety of farms and agricultural businesses, meeting with people to learn about what issues and needs exist for food production.

The conversation covers the upcoming work on the Farm Bill, food security, immigration reform, the dairy industry, climate change, agricultural research, USDA meat processing capacity and energy policy . This episode is a little longer than usual but the amount of information we covered is important.

A lot if happening in agriculture this time of year from educational conferences to getting fields ready for planting. Jay and Ron share stories about just a few of the things that happened over the past week and what you might see happening on farm fields near you.

Sutton Rucks, a partner in Milking R Dairy near Okeechobee Florida, joins Ron and jay on this episode of the podcast to talk about dairy farming in a place where most people think about oranges and beaches. Milking R Dairy is certified through the national Dairy FARM program. Milking R Dairy is very active in value added production, including an ice cream store in the middle of the operation!

Sutton is very active on national board and organizations in the dairy industry and he brings this perspective to our interview. The riveting conversation covers a wide range of topics and will capture the attention of farmers and the public at large!

Ron and Jay discuss what happens when property assessments go up and the importance of having an Agricultural Value Assessment in place in NYS if your land qualifies. They also share a conversation about recent anti-agriculture news stories hitting the press.

Ron and Jay digest the sights sounds and tastes of Jay's participation in the 2023 "Policy Execution" Days organized by New York Farm Bureau in Albany NY. New York Farm Bureau, the grassroots voice of farmers across New York State, organizes PX days to bring the agricultural community to meet New York State's elected officials. No protests, no shouting down the hallways. Just great NYS agricultural products and good conversations between farmers and those elected to the NYS Legislature.

Ag Committee Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, Congressman from the 15th Congressional District in Pennsylvania, joined us as a guest on our podcast to talk about the 2023 Farm Bill. During our conversation we started talking about the Congressman's scouting career and how important that was to him. We felt it was very remarkable and with his permission pulled out a clip of our conversation focused on scouting.

Today, on the anniversary of the creation of Boy Scouts of America, Congressman Glenn G.T. Thompson will introduce a resolution onto the House floor, celebrating the birthday of scouting!!!!

Congressman Glenn "G.T." Thompson (Pa.14th), Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, visits with show hosts Jay Matteson, Ron Robbins and Alan Walts to discuss the work that is about to start on the 2023 U.S. Farm Bill. Chairman Thompson talks about the challenges facing agriculture and where the Farm Bill might help specialty crop growers and dairy farmers. The Chairman also talks about the importance of the nutrition side of this legislation. We also discuss meat processing capacity problems and how to address them.

Jay and Ron discuss what preparations dairy farms make for the oncoming frigid weather (-20 degrees) and Jay share information about his travel to the International dairy Foods Association Forum in Orlando Florida and the networking he did while attending. Jay talks about the importance of networking in economic development.