Doug Thomas is president and CEO of Bellingham Cold Storage, so he works with people in both fishing and farming. He says his new group's proposal could be the best way to turn around our region's salmon decline crisis, and he joins Dillon to explain the ins and outs of the fish hatchery project he's modeled after Alaska's hatchery system.

David Lukens, who co-owns Grace Harbor Farms with his parents, teamed up with a friend from church, Jon Maberry of Maberry Packing, to create a delicious new local red raspberry smoothie that's been getting rave reviews and selling out from local stores. David chats with Dillon about how they created the new product, and how Grace Harbor Farms got its start in the specialty dairy business.

"The Farmer's Wifee," Eastern Washington dairy farmer and blogger Krista Stauffer, says telling her farming story on her blog and social media "almost broke" her. She opens up to Dillon about the depression and anxiety that resulted from pervasive online bullying, not just by anti-farming activists, but a much more unexpected source. MORE: https://www.agdaily.com/livestock/farmers-wifee-agricultures-story-broke-me/

Well-known Bellingham environmental advocate Eric Hirst says farmers need to use water more efficiently to protect streams and fish, and he agrees with farmers that Washington State water law is getting in the way of that. Dillon challenges him to do more research on what farmers are already doing to improve the efficiency of their water use.

It's been another busy spring for Washington dairy farmers, cutting & chopping grass, working dirt, planting corn and more... all while keeping the cows happy and healthy! Fourth generation dairy farmer Ashton Beanblossom joins Dillon with the latest from the farm, as well as why she's so outspoken on social media (follow her and her family here: https://www.facebook.com/RTJFARM/)

Sound Pacific Seafoods co-owner and founder Paul Burrill says those in fishing share so many struggles with those in farming, and he sees opportunity for fishers and farmers to work together to sustainably feed the world. He joins Dillon on the heels of a recent public forum where he spoke out about the challenges facing fishing in Washington and Alaska.

Environmental, farming, and conservation experts had collaborated to plan pilot projects to help salmon and protect farmland in Whatcom, Snohomish and Grays Harbor counties. But, WA Gov. Jay Inslee singled the proposal out and deleted it from the larger bill. Grays Harbor farmer Terry Willis joins Dillon to explain why she was so angry about the Governor's actions.

The 2019 Lynden High School FFA Ag Issues team scripted and performed their own simulated radio show tackling major local farming issues including labor, nutrient management and water. Dillon worked with them to record it to be able to share here on the podcast.

Greg Zimmerman with Bellingham's Twin Sisters Brewing Company is pumped for Whatcom Family Farmers' "Meet Your Farmer" event series. He joins Dillon for a beer and chat at the brewery to talk about their support for the series as well as how farmers of any size can apply for their new Farmers Grant Program: https://www.twinsistersbrewing.com/farmers-grant-program/

Dairy farmers are under immense economic and legal pressures right now, leading to heart-wrenching stories of loss -- and even suicide. Former dairy farmer Glen Blankers opens up to Dillon about what it was like when he had to sell his cows this past fall, after nearly 50 years of running his multi-generational family farm near Lynden, Wash.