Farm Food Facts
Farm. Food. Facts. And everything in between. A podcast featuring the leading minds in the future of sustainable food systems. Brought to you by U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action.
The Future of Food and Beverage Forum USA: What’s on the table for farmers and ranchers?
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Ian Welsh, co-founder and chair of Innovation Forum. Ian and his team will be hosting The Future of Food and Beverage USA, a national conference being held May 27-28 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that will feature more than 250 farmers, leading brands, retailers, traders, investors and policy makers. This episode explores key topics that will be discussed at the event, including regenerative agriculture. USFRA (farmer board members and staff) will be speaking at the event.
Learn more about the Food and Beverage Forum here. Register for the forum here.To sta...
Bonus: How artificial intelligence is impacting agriculture
Gary Wickham, founder and CEO of MagrowTec, shares how he’s watching how AI will fit into agriculture and how we can turn data into meaningful interactions.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Companies getting more practical on sustainability efforts
Meryl Richards, program director of Food & Forests at Ceres, explains why she is excited about the rapid evolution of new technology in agriculture.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Artificial intelligence: Task yourself to learn more
Greg Shoemaker, North America Commercial Director at Cargill and a USFRA board member, discusses artificial intelligence's impact on agriculture and how he challenges himself to learn more about it.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Who is Ceres and why do they care about agricultural resilience?
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Meryl Richards, program director of Food & Forests at Ceres about how investors and companies are working with farmers to improve sustainability.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
How Cargill is creating a more food-secure world
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Greg Shoemaker, North America Commercial Director at Cargill and a USFRA board member, about the company’s seven-generation history, it’s strategic focus in the dairy division and how it helps improve profitability for farmers.
Resources:
Cargill website Cargill Dairy MAX Dairy | Animal Nutrition - United StatesTo stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Farmers share future challenges and opportunities with soybeans
Carla Schultz, owner of Eight Plates Farm in Michigan and a United Soybean Board farmer-leader, and Patrick Giberson, owner of Giberson Farms in New Jersey and a United Soybean farmer-leader and a USFRA board member, discuss what they are keeping an eye on in 2026, including the loss of farmland and challenges in the carbon credit space.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Improving farmer profitability through spray assist technology
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Gary Wickham, founder and CEO of MagrowTec, about how better spray performance is reducing grower input costs and down time, and what questions to ask agronomists.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Dr. Richard on the power of photosynthesis
Dr. Tom Richard, retired professor from Penn State University, explains how photosynthesis can be an important tool in solving our climate challenge.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report on the “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
United Soybean Board farmers share innovative uses for soybeans
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Carla Schultz, owner of Eight Plates Farm in Michigan and a United Soybean Board farmer-leader, and Patrick Giberson, owner of Giberson Farms in New Jersey and a United Soybean farmer-leader and a USFRA board member, about the 2025 cropping year, new uses of soybeans and challenges facing the industry.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Powering energy efficiency in agriculture: Opportunities with fuel, fertilizer, and irrigation
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Dr. Tom Richard, retired professor from Penn State University, about agricultural energy systems and the myriad of opportunities for farmers to improve efficiency.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report on the “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
Bonus: Three practices to improve nitrogen efficiency
Dr. Jerry Hatfield, Retired Laboratory Director, USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment and Dr. Bruno Basso, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Michigan State University, provide three practices farmers can implement to increase nitrogen efficiency.
Learn more about the study here: Enhancing Farm Profitability Through Nitrogen Efficiency and Yield Stability
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report on the “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
New USFRA Study: Enhancing Farm Profitability Through Nitrogen Efficiency and Yield Stability
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Dr. Jerry Hatfield, Retired Laboratory Director, USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment and Dr. Bruno Basso, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Michigan State University, about USFRA’s new study, “Enhancing Farm Profitability Through Nitrogen Efficiency and Yield Stability.” We cover the new analysis, what conservation and technologies support it, how to manage low- and high-yield zones and improve profitability.
Thank you to the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative for supporting this new research.
Learn more abo...
Bonus: Artificial intelligence impact on pecans
Serena Schaffner, Chief Marketing Officer at the American Pecan Council and the American Pecan Promotion Board discusses how artificial intelligence could impact the pecan industry.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Keeping pecans on the plate after Thanksgiving
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Serena Schaffner, Chief Marketing Officer at the American Pecan Council and the American Pecan Promotion Board provides an overview of the U.S. pecan industry, including domestic and international marketing strategies, grower challenges and research that is identifying new opportunities.
Resources:
https://eatpecans.com/ https://americanpecan.com/To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Biofuel opportunities for farmers, tax credits
Dr. Sally Flis, Director of Sustainable Ag Programs at Nutrien shares how she’s keeping an eye on the biofuel space and the opportunities it could have for farmers with the 45Z tax credit and other incentives.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Nutrient Efficiency Highlights Nutrien’s Latest Sustainability Report
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Dr. Sally Flis, Director of Sustainable Ag Programs at Nutrien, about Nutrien’s 2024 Sustainability Report. We cover the big takeaways on nitrogen efficiencies, agronomics, the impact of technology, and more.
Resources:
2024 Nutrien Sustainability Report The FARMSMART podcastTo stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Connecting farm data to the supply chain, farm resources
Jamie Fisher, Managing Director of Farmer for Sustainable Food, and Paul Cornette, dairy farmer and owner of Cornette Dairy, talk about the importance of connecting farm data to the supply chain, and how farmers use tools like glyphosate for conservation efforts.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Farmer-led conservation group making progress, getting results
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Paul Cornette, dairy farmer and owner of Cornette Dairy, and Jamie Fisher, Managing Director of Farmer for Sustainable Food (FSF), about how FSF is making a positive impact for farmers and their communities.
Resources:
A Framework for Farm-Level Sustainability Projects Producer-Led Group Roadmap: A guide to farmers and partners in conservation Peninsula Pride Farms Sustainability Projects Farmers for Sustainable Food ProjectsTo stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Biofuels critical to ag economy
Doug Berven, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at POET and a USFRA board member, speaks to the current state of the agriculture economy. Learn more here.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Inside scoop on E-15 with POET
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Doug Berven, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at POET and a USFRA board member, about the importance of E-15, popular fuel choice around the world, opportunities for infrastructure updates and technology advancements.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Nebraska farmers achieve carbon dioxide pipeline
Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director of Renewable Fuels Nebraska talks about the benefits carbon dioxide pipelines in Nebraska will provide. Dawn also shares how we must find ways to interest the next generation in agricultural careers.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Opportunities for U.S. ethanol
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director of Renewable Fuels Nebraska, about the status of the ethanol industry, E15, the “Golden Nebraska Triangle,” export markets and more.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Wisconsin beef farmer opens up about conservation efforts
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Terry Quam, a fourth-generation beef farmer and member of the Cattleman’s Beef Board and of U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action, as they discuss conservation efforts, soil carbon management, price of technology, beef genetics and future goals.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Focus on water use efficiency and data to fine-tune crop production
Jacqi Coleman, Senior Vice-President of Sustainability Partnerships and Stewardship, and Bridgett Hilshey, Senior Director of Sustainability Projects, both at Dairy Management Inc., share what they are keeping an eye on in the space of environmental sustainability.
And check out the Dairy Conservation Navigator, created by the U.S. Dairy Checkoff, a platform that simplifies complex sustainability topics by sharing educational materials and technical insights.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Dairy Conservation Navigator: One-stop shop for conservation support
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Jacqi Coleman, Senior Vice-President of Sustainability Partnerships and Stewardship, and Bridgett Hilshey, Senior Director of Sustainability Projects, both of Dairy Management Inc., about the Dairy Conservation Navigator. It is a free online platform that consolidates science-based information about dairy conservation topics and the practices and technologies that reduce a farm’s environmental footprint.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Do your research on future solar projects
Join us as Jennifer Gannon, director of programs and public relations for the Maryland Grain Producers, shares insights on what to consider when exploring on-farm solar projects.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
How Maryland growers feel about conservation, carbon markets
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Jennifer Gannon, a farmer and director of programs and public relations for Maryland Grain Producers, as they discuss research her group co-led to better understand the impact of changing climate conditions on Maryland growers, conservation practices farmers are implementing amid those changes, and farmers’ perspectives on the potential for revenue through carbon markets.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negati...
Bonus: Future of manure management and microbiome in livestock
Join us as Logan Thompson, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at Kansas State University, and Ermias Kebreab, Associate Dean for Global Engagement in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, as well as Director of the World Food Center at UC Davis, share what practices they are excited about in the space of animal production and management.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
Animal production and management: A buffet of options
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action established an independent scientific working group to analyze the potential for U.S. agriculture to collectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and possibly achieve a state of negative emissions, or emitting fewer total GHGs than are sequestered. The resulting report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative,” was peer-reviewed and published. In this episode, we dive deeper into one of the key areas of opportunity outlined in the report: the potential for enhancing animal production and management.
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Logan Thompson, assistant profe...
Bonus: Measuring global warming potential per unit of nitrogen fertilizer applied
Join us as Dr. Romulo Lollato, associate professor of agronomy, Extension wheat and forage specialist at Kansas State University, provides insights on the challenges of estimating global warming potential per unit of nitrogen fertilizer that is applied, especially in semi-arid conditions.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report , “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
Crop production and the yield gap
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action has introduced a groundbreaking report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative.” In this episode, we dive deeper into one of the key areas of opportunity outlined in the report — the crop production yield gap.
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Dr. Romulo Lollato, associate professor of agronomy, Extension wheat and forage specialist at Kansas State University, as they discuss the difference between actual crop yield and the potential yield that could be achieved under optimal conditions using the best practices, technology and inputs. They explore how nar...
Bonus: Growers are already increasing soil carbon storage with existing practices
Join us as Dr. Elizabeth Ellis of Colorado State University shares her insights about how farmers are increasing soil carbon storage with practices already in place.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report,“Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
How management practices can increase carbon in the soil
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action established an independent scientific working group to analyze the potential for U.S. agriculture to collectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and possibly achieve a state of negative emissions, or emitting fewer total GHGs than are sequestered. The resulting report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative,” was peer-reviewed and published. In this episode, we dive deeper into one of the key areas of opportunity outlined in the report: soil carbon management.
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Dr. Elizabeth Ellis of Colorado State University as they...
Bonus: Nitrogen fertilizer management: Digital twins and robotics
Join us as Dr. Bruno Basso, professor of earth and environmental sciences at Michigan State University, shares insight on emerging technologies in nitrogen fertilizer management.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
The importance of optimizing nitrogen fertilizer
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action established an independent scientific working group to analyze the potential for U.S. agriculture to collectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and possibly achieve a state of negative emissions, or emitting fewer total GHGs than are sequestered. The resulting report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative,” was peer-reviewed and published. In this episode, we dive deeper into one of the key areas of opportunity outlined in the report: the potential for enhancing animal production and management.
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Dr. Bruno Basso, profe...
Bonus: International regulations impact on sustainability
Join us as Ian Welsh, publishing director and podcast host for Innovation Forum and conference chair for The Future of Food and Beverage USA, shares how international and U.S. regulation will impact sustainability efforts.
The Future of Food and Beverage USA is May 28-29 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This two-day business conference will bring together leading brands, farmers, investors and key stakeholders to identify the main areas of opportunity and innovation within the food and beverage industry. We’ll assess how we can collectively drive resilience in next generation farming. Learn more abo...
Future of Food and Beverage USA Conference: How to Drive Resilience in Next Generation of Farming
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Ian Welsh, publishing director and podcast host for Innovation Forum and conference chair for The Future of Food and Beverage USA, as they discuss pressing topics behind the sessions at the two-day business conference on May 28-29 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They cover local, state and national level benefits for farmers, renovation to innovation, insetting, real solutions with real returns, the next generation of farmers and bankrolling nature’s future. USFRA is a Community Partner for the event.
The Future of Food and Beverage USA is May 28-29 in Min...
Bonus: Sustainable workforce for agriculture, new administration’s involvement in ag
Join us as two experts with the Fertilizer Institute, including David Townsend, Director of Member Programs, and Dr. Leanna Nigon, Director of Agronomy & Research, share how they are keeping an eye on the training and development of the agricultural workforce and how the new administration will work with the agriculture community.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report on the “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”<...
Understanding the 4Rs — Right place, right time, right form & right amount
Join Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza and Dr. Leanna Nigon, Director of Agronomy & Research, and David Townsend, Director of Member Programs, both with the Fertilizer Institute, as they discuss the 4Rs. Learn more about how nutrient management has economic benefits for the farmer, environmental benefits for the planet, and social benefits for the community.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here. Check out USFRA’s report on the “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
