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.
Bonus: Rising input costs, drought, wild fires, war and more drive production shifts
Farm+Food+Facts guests, Adam Grabenstein, a fifth-generation farmer and a board member for the Nebraska Corn and USFRA, and Kelly Brunkhorst, Executive Director of Nebraska Corn, share how Nebraska farmers are keeping tabs on input costs, weather, and exports which ultimately impact farmers’ bottom line.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
*Recorded 4.13.26
Pig farmer shares how he balances profitability and conservation on his family farm
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Dave Mensink, pig farmer and owner of Mensink Farms in Minnesota, and Kevin Burkum, CEO of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, about key themes they discussed during their panel at the Animal Ag Tech Summit, including nitrogen efficiency, water quality management and other challenges facing the pork industry.
Items referenced in the podcast:
Enhancing Farm Profitability Through Nitrogen Efficiency and Yield Stability 2025 Minnesota Pork Board Environmental Steward of the Year Animal Ag Tech SummitTo stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and be...
How Nebraska Corn Champions and Supports its Farmers
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Adam Grabenstein, a fifth-generation farmer and a board member for Nebraska Corn Board and USFRA, and Kelly Brunkhorst, Executive Director of the Nebraska Corn Board. They discuss the important role of the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, the organizations’ focus areas, emerging research and future goals.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Inside Illinois Corn’s Precision Conservation Management Program
Farm+Food+Facts welcomes Greg Goodwin is Director of Illinois Corn’s Precision Conservation Program (PCM). With planting season upon us, in this timely episode he explains how PCM delivers results by improving farmer profitability and soil health on a field-by-field, pass-by-pass basis. Learn more about how PCM works with famers to improve tillage, cover crop and nitrogen management strategies.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Keeping an eye on Make America Healthy Again
Austin Gellings, Senior Director of Agricultural Services for the Association of Equipment Manufactures and Willi Ortner, Strategic Product Manager for Kubota, shares how the MAHA movement and increasing consumer interest in where their food comes from is impacting the agriculture sector.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Bonus: Regenerative agriculture is in the forefront
Ian Welsh, co-founder and chair of Innovation Forum, shares how he’s seen The Future of Food and Beverage Forum USA evolve over the last seven years, including an increasing emphasis on resilience, precision agriculture and farmer profitability.
Learn more and register for The Future of Food and Beverage Forum USA.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
How does the industry drive trust in the food supply?
Farm+Food+Facts host Joanna Guza talks with Austin Gellings, Senior Director of Agricultural Services for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM is a member of USFRA) and Willi Ortner, Strategic Product Manager for Kubota, about the new sanitary design standard for specialty crop equipment. The S664 DEC2025 Direct to Consumption Specialty Crop Machine Hygienic Design Requirement is available on ASABE's website.
To stay connected with USFRA, join our newsletter and become involved in our efforts, here.
Replay: The importance of optimizing nitrogen fertilizer
This episode was originally aired on April 25, 2025 and it was a top performing episode on Farm+Food+Facts.
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: Nitrogen ferti...
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...
