Root of the Matter

What does it take to build a profitable, sustainable beef operation in today’s cattle industry? In this episode, we’re joined by Campbell Baker, the 2026 Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers Environmental Stewardship Award winner, to discuss how his family’s Smith County farm has found success raising grass-fed, grass-finished beef.

What does it take to become Tennessee’s Young Farmer of the Year? On this episode, we sit down with Franklin County farmer Kary Robinson, the 2026 Tennessee Young Farmer of the Year, to hear the story behind the honor. From raising row crops and beef cattle to operating a family feed mill, Kary shares the hard work, challenges, and values that have shaped his family’s farming operation—and what the future holds for Tennessee agriculture.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Mayfield, State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Tennessee, to discuss his background in agriculture and his journey to serving farmers across the state. Mike shares insights from his years in the agricultural industry and explains the mission of the Farm Service Agency and the important role it plays in supporting producers.

In this episode, we sit down with Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Holt to talk about Tennessee’s recent trade mission to India and Thailand and why these trips matter for farmers and businesses back home. We discuss how the state is working to open new international markets for Tennessee products, with a big focus on the forestry industry and expanding opportunities for Tennessee timber and wood products overseas. Commissioner Holt also shares what these meetings looked like on the ground, why India and Thailand were important stops, and how building these relationships can create long-term economic opportunities for rural Tennessee.

In this episode, we sit down with former Tennessee State FFA President Weston Brown to discuss his journey through agricultural leadership, his aspirations to work in the political world, and his commitment to carrying on his family’s fifth-generation beef cattle farm in Greene County, Tennessee. Weston shares what it was like serving as Tennessee’s State FFA President, the lessons leadership taught him, and why he believes young people must stay involved in shaping the future of agriculture and rural communities. We also dive into the realities facing young farmers today — from rising input costs and land prices to the pressure of rapid development threatening family farms across Tennessee.

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Suddath from the University of Tennessee’s Center for Planning to explore one of the biggest challenges facing the state today: how to manage rapid population growth without losing the farmland and rural character that make Tennessee unique. As more people move into the state, communities are under increasing pressure to expand housing, infrastructure, and services. But growth without a plan can lead to sprawl, strained resources, and the loss of valuable agricultural land. Josh shares how the UT Center for Planning works with cities and counties across Tennessee to help them think ahead, make informed decisions, and create strategies that balance development with preservation.

In agriculture, strength and resilience are often worn like badges of honor—but behind that strength, many farmers carry heavy mental and emotional burdens. In this episode, we sit down with Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Bryan Wright to have an honest conversation about mental health in the farming community. We discuss the unique pressures farmers face, the stigma that often keeps people from speaking up, and why those conversations matter now more than ever. Bryan shares insight on how the industry is working to break down barriers and reminds us that asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a step toward strength. If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode serves as a reminder that you’re not alone and that support is available. You can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to connect with a trained professional any time, day or night.

In this episode, we take a closer look at one of the biggest challenges facing farmers today: rising input costs. We sit down with Dr. Andrew Mohammad from the University of Tennessee to unpack what’s driving persistently high fertilizer prices and why relief may not come anytime soon. We break down the global and domestic factors influencing fertilizer markets, from the conflict in Iran, supply chain disruptions to energy costs, and how fuel prices continue to add pressure across the board. Dr. Mohammad shares insight into whether these elevated costs are a short-term spike or part of a longer-term shift—and what that means for farm profitability and decision-making.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwnHz1ixFxI

Dr. Dave Lockwood has spent more than 50-years as a fruit specialist with UT Extension. Dr. Lockwood shares how his passion for horticulture turned into a lifetime of service through UT Extension, working with both commercial growers and homeowners across the state. We dive into the growing interest in backyard fruit production and why more people than ever are planting their own trees and vines. As he prepares for retirement this June, Dr. Lockwood reflects on the relationships, lessons, and impact that have defined his career—and what he’ll miss most about the work.

In this episode, we sit down with Tennessee Farm Bureau Vice President James Haskew to talk about the reality facing farmers as we head into the 2026 planting season. From rising input costs—seed, fertilizer, fuel, and chemicals—to tightening margins, many farmers are finding that the numbers simply aren’t adding up. We also dive into the increasing consolidation within the agriculture industry and how fewer players in the marketplace may be contributing to higher costs and fewer options for producers.