The Growing Debate

Floods. Droughts. Heat waves. Polar storms. In an industry where increasingly extreme weather patterns have become the status quo, how do farmers cope with unpredictability? Episode six of The Growing Debate discovers how technology on our farms and in our food helps us adapt to climate change. Will it change the way we farm? Will it change the way we eat?


Episode Breakdown: How does extreme weather impact farming? | What types of technology might help farmers combat climate change? | How will technology in our food help us adapt? | Are farms the new Silicon Valley? | How will climate change impact the future of farming? | How are farmers preparing for the future of extreme weather?

Learn more about Culp Family Farms on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/culpfamilyfarms/about/, read Pam Knox's biography at https://www.redandblack.com/news/agriculture/agricultural-climatologist-helps-farmers-with-climate-change-saves-cows/article_85e99d00-09a6-11e2-84b2-001a4bcf6878.html, and learn more about Neal Gutterson here: https://www.corteva.com/who-we-are/our-leadership/neal-gutterson.html.

50% to 70% of farmworkers in America are undocumented immigrants, according to the Department of Labor. Episode five of The Growing Debate sheds light on how immigrants — documented and undocumented — impact agriculture and our lives. What would our food supply and rural communities look like if immigrants weren’t here?

Episode Breakdown: Which farms depend on immigrant labor most? | How important are immigrants to modern agriculture? | Why are Americans unwilling to take on farm work? | What is the impact of immigrants in rural communities? | What impact to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have on rural communities?

Learn more about Pat Lunemann at http://www.twineagledairy.com/, and read Javier Garcia’s blog at https://sharedgroundcoop.com/farms/agua-gorda.

There are varying levels of trust in the food system. To reverse this trend, the industry is focused on increasing transparency. Episode four of The Growing Debate will explore a chef’s journey about increasing transparency at his farm-to-table restaurant because, without consumer trust, he wouldn’t be where he is today. His way of operating directly reflects his beliefs — even as he sees other farm-to-table restaurants taking shortcuts.

Episode Breakdown: What makes the Madison Farmers Market different? | What does it take to establish a restaurant-farm relationship? | What were the early days of farm-to-table in New York City like? | Are all farm-to-table restaurants truthful? | How does Tory prepare his staff and menu for transparency? | What is a restaurant kitchen like when prepping for Saturday night?

To learn more about Tory Miller’s restaurants, visit www.letoile-restaurant.com for L'Etoile, www.grazemadison.com for Graze, and www.estrellonrestaurant.com for Estrellon.

Most people don’t know where their food comes from. They’re concerned about the way food is produced and are looking for answers. But how do we know when the story stops and the marketing starts? Episode three of The Growing Debate will explore the challenges conventional beef farmers face when making decisions about their operations. They want their stories told and are learning to stand up for their beliefs and practices in the age of social media.

Episode Breakdown: Why use growth hormones and antibiotics? | What goes on in the Arndt cow pens? | Why are meat labels so confusing? | What is it like in the Arndt cow pastures? | How big is Austin’s biggest bull?

To learn more about Austin Arndt and his conventional beef practices, visit: www.arndtfarms.com.

While large and small farms are growing in number, mid-size farms are struggling. Caught in the middle, they don’t have the buying power of large farms or the location advantages of small ones and are going bankrupt at an alarming rate. Episode two of The Growing Debate will explore the daily struggles farmers of these midsize farms face, operation changes they are forced to make and how it affects all of us.

Episode Breakdown: How does the cost of modern tech impact mid-sized farmers? | What impact does the decline of the mid-sized farm have on consumers? | Are most modern farms family-owned? | Why are urbanites so disconnected from farming? Do they need to be? | What does a younger, next-generation farmer think about it?

When’s the last time you spoke one-on-one with a farmer? It’s the only way to get a true understanding of agriculture. By bringing you directly to the source, The Growing Debate will explore how farming impacts some of today’s most complex issues. Listen to episode one to hear from some of the farmers who will be featured this season.