This week on The Farm Report, host Erin Fairbanks speaks with Doug Fine, author of the book Hemp Bound: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the Next Agricultural Revolution. In an interesting discussion about the controversial substance that has been outlawed in its time among many states, Erin and Doug discuss the benefits of hemp and why hemp production should be something that is encouraged throughout the country. From the ground up, Doug walks us through the details of the hemp plant itself to his thoughts on the rebuilding of the hemp seed’s biodiversity. With many uses that the average consumer might not recognize, such as material for clothing as well as houses, he goes on to share that with more production, hemp could help the country’s farmers by offering a viable, profitable product to grow and sell. Tune in to find out more on why the stereotypes that surround hemp might need to be re-examined. This program has been brought to you by Cain Vineyard and Winery.

“Hemp seed oil, which is extremely profitable, is an omega superfood. I put it in my morning shake every day. It basically does what flax oil or cod liver oil does, in terms of high proteins, in some cases better.” [19:17]

— Doug Fine on The Farm Report

Tune in to a special episode of The Farm Report as Erin Fairbanks talks labor and workers rights with author and activist Margaret Gray. Margaret is the winner of the 2014 Association for the Study of Food and Agriculture Book of the Year Award as well as the author of Labor and the Locavore, which focuses on one of the most vibrant local food economies in the country, the Hudson Valley that supplies New York restaurants and farmers markets. Based on more than a decade’s in-depth interviews with workers, farmers, and others, Gray’s examination clearly shows how the currency of agrarian values serves to mask the labor concerns of an already hidden workforce. Margaret also explores the historical roots of farmworkers’ predicaments and examines the ethnic shift from Black to Latino workers. With an analysis that can be applied to local food concerns around the country, this book challenges the reader to consider how the mentality of the alternative food movements implies a comprehensive food ethic that addresses workers’ concerns. Tune in for an incredibly insightful conversation on the state of workers rights in the farming community. This program was brought to you by Heritage Foods USA.

“The farmers I talk to are very explicit [in saying] ‘We don’t want American workers and we don’t want our Latino workers to be Americanized.’ Some of the structural issues are around the way laws are designed and the power dynamics around the farms. ” [21:00]

“The intimacy that we have from buying from small local farmers translates in a way into the relationships those farmers have with their workers.” [22:00]

–Margaret Gray on The Farm Report

What does micro-dairy farming look like? Find out on a brand new episode of The Farm Report. Host Erin Fairbanks is joined by Steven Judge, Founder, President, CEO of Bob-White Systems, Inc. Bob-White Systems, a company established in Vermont, serves the rapidly emerging micro-dairy market. They offer equipment, supplies, technology, and resources to enable dairy farmers to build appropriately scaled and community based sustainable businesses. Tune in and get some incredible insights into the world of micro-dairy farming, the world of milk production , regulation and the future of dairy distribution technology. This program was brought to you by Bonnie Plants.

“The current [dairy] delivery system is largely obsolete, especially in these days when energy costs are so high. It deserves a re-think – we can make some improvements.” [05:00]

“US Dairy farmers are extremely intelligent and efficient – they can produce a lot of milk for not much money and as a result the milk supply in this country is in a constant state of over supply.” [28:00]

–Steve Judge on The Farm Report

On a special episode of The Farm Report, Erin Fairbanks is joined by none other than Patrick Martins, founder of Slow Food USA, Heritage Foods USA and Heritage Radio Network. He’s also the author of The Carnivore’s Manifesto: Eating Well, Eating Responsibly, and Eating Meat. The book features fifty ways to be an enlightened carnivore, while taking better care of our planet and ourselves. We have evolved as meat eaters, proclaims Patrick Martins, and it’s futile to deny it. But, given the destructive forces of the fast-food industry and factory farming, we need to make smart, informed choices about the food we eat and where it comes from. Tune in as Erin and Patrick chat about the book, the inspirations behind it, and the goals it sets out to accomplish. From seasonal meat to sustainable food production, get a candid and insightful look at the future of food. This program was brought to you by White Oak Pastures. Music by Idgy Dean.

“If you don’t shop at five different stores for your food, you’re probably not doing it right.” [22:00]

“You can go to a food truck now and eat a dish as if you were at Jean Georges.” [25:00]

— Patrick Martins on The Farm Report

In October 2013, Storm Atlas devastated livestock farmers in South Dakota, killing over 40,000 head of cattle. This was an unprecedented loss, and farmers in the region are still picking up the pieces and recovering. On a special episode of The Farm Report, Erin Fairbanks checks in Silvia Christen of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association who details the events and response that followed the storm and gives an update on the current state of livestock farmers in South Dakota. This program was brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

“We had carcasses on highways. We had dead animals littering our landscape. We had live animals that still needed to be taken care of that were the main priority, and yet there was still so much work to be done.” [18:00]

“It’s important for people to understand where beef comes from. In South Dakota – we’re the first step in that supply chain. We are growing the calfs that go on to be the beef you see in the grocery store.” [23:00]

“I hope people who enjoy their beef and like a good steak will stick with it and purchase beef products because that’s what will help us rebuild” [24:00]

–Silvia Christen on The Farm Report

Today on The Farm Report, Erin speaks to tea expert Sarah Besky, professor at the University of Michigan, about tea plantations and how tea workers often get into the world of tea production. Sarah also tells us about how the culture of tea production differs from country to country across the world. After the break, Erin speaks with Peter Rosenblum, professor at Bard College, about some of the darker aspects of tea plantations around the world. This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery. Today’s music provided by Takstar.

–Sarah Besky on The Farm Report

This week on The Farm Report, Erin speaks with family farmer Richard Oswald from the Missouri Farmers Union about how large corporations have been slowly taking over the farming industry, pushing family farmers out. Later, Richard describes how farming has evolved based on changing values throughout the world. This program has been sponsored by Paradise Locker Meats. Today’s music provided by Takstar.

“For a farmer to be successful, he has to be able to compete.” [11:50]

“Livestock doesn’t last forever, plants don’t last forever, but the land lasts forever.” [29:30]

–Richard Oswald on The Farm Report

On this episode of The Farm Report, Erin interviews Scott Chaskey of Quail Hill Farm. Scott is the author of (among other titles) This Common Ground and most recently, Seedtime. Today, he and Erin discuss his newest book and the world of seed farming. This program has been sponsored by Squarespace. Today’s music provided by The Hollows.

–Scott Chaskey on The Farm Report

Erin speaks with Ed Staehr this week, the Executive Director of NY FarmNet, an organization that helps farmers with a wide range of farm business or family issues. Ed describes some of the many ways that NY FarmNet does this, such as helping with inheritance concerns, making the best of resources, strategic planning, and much more! This program has been sponsored by Heritage Foods USA. Today’s music provided by The California Honeydrops.

–Ed Staehr on The Farm Report

Today on The Farm Report, Erin interviews Richard McCarthy from Slow Food USA about the Slow Meat conference that Slow Food is having at the University of Denver this summer. After the break, Erin brings in Joe Maxwell of the Humane Society to further discuss the goals of Slow Meat and some of the biggest issues it will address. Tune in for the whole interview! This program has been sponsored by White Oak Pastures. Today’s music provided by Pamela Royal.

–Richard McCarthy on The Farm Report

“As a country, we just can’t afford the cost of this cheap food and cheap meat.” [23:05]

–Joe Maxwell on The Farm Report