Agriculture is a diverse industry with new technologies and innovation happening regularly. Today, an innovative farming practice called aquaponics is on the rise. Aquaponics combines hydroponics and aquaculture allowing for plants to be grown without soil and instead given nutrients by an aquatic animal.  On today’s Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Florida aquaponics farmer Tracy Nazzaro owner of Traders Hill Farm. Tracy explains how her farm uses tilapia to help grow romaine lettuce without soil and how this process helps her farm create healthy and sustainable produce to its customers.

On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Alabama farmers Daniel and Carla Trantham about their family farm, the challenges they experience and how young farmers and ranchers can impact the future of agriculture. Additionally, they were awarded the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award at the 2023 American Farm Bureau convention in Puerto Rico. The goal of the Young Farmers & Ranchers program is to surface, grow and develop young Farm Bureau members and provide them opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership and ensure effective Farm Bureaus.

Asking for help isn’t something that comes naturally for everyone, but it is important to know that it is okay to not be okay. On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Ohio Farmer Brandon Fullenkamp to talk about why he has become an advocate for mental health. After experiencing his own struggles and seeking help, Brandon has become passionate about discussing the importance of mental health. He is now an advocate for farmers and ranchers across the country—sharing his story and the benefits of mental health services.

Becoming a leader and an advocate is a journey. The Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee is equipping women to be leaders and advocates for agriculture in their communities and beyond. On this episode of Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with the Women’s Leadership Committee Chair, Isabella Chism, about the training and leadership opportunities the committee provides for women throughout Farm Bureau, as well as the launching of a new campaign, Ag ConnectHER, centered around advocacy and empowerment.

Sharing agriculture’s story with consumers is more important than ever. Through the power of social media, farmers have an opportunity to share their story like never before and 4th generation farmer Jon Dinsmore (aka The Green Screen Farmer) is doing just that. Each week he shows what life on his Yuma Valley, AZ farm is like with his hundreds of thousands of followers. On this episode of Farmside Chat, President Duvall chats with Jon about how he utilizes social media to reach consumers in new and creative ways.

Conservation and sustainability practices are a priority for first generation Wisconsin goat farmer Leslie Svacina. When Leslie decided to start her farm, she knew that caring for the land would be vital for its success, and the conservation programs offered through the Farm Bill were a vital tool in teaching her how to put those conservation and sustainability practices to use on her farm.    On this episode of Farmside Chat, Leslie chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about the role sustainability plays on her goat farm.    Find out more at FB.Org

A career in food and agriculture is meaningful and fulfilling, but few students are pursuing it. Agriculture Future of America (AFA) is determined to change this. With a missional focus solely on reaching the next generation of ag leaders, AFA is engaging and training college students across the country through its mentorship, professional development, and training programs.   On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with AFA President Mark Stewart about the many ways his organization is training the next generation of ag leaders and its importance to the future of agriculture.    For more visit FB.Org.

8th Generation row crop farmer and ag influencer, Zoe Kent (a.k.a. Farm with Zoe), reaches hundreds of thousands of followers through social media. In this episode, she joins President Zippy Duvall to talk about how her online presence has helped her share her ag story with not just farmers and ranchers, but consumers too.

On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Michigan asparagus farmer Jamie VanDerZanden Fekken. Located in the “Asparagus Capital of the World”, Jamie’s family has a passion for growing asparagus. She details the journey from seed to harvest and even sprinkles in her favorite asparagus recipes.

Where does food come from? What is the process of growing food? On this podcast episode, author Shannon Anderson chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about her book chronicling the journey of young girl determined to grow her own strawberries.   “I LOVE Strawberries,” is the fifth printed title from Feeding Minds Press. The book is available for purchase directly from Feeding Minds Press, as well as on Amazon. It is the winner of the 2022 Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ book and the 2023 American Farm Bureau for Agriculture’s book of the year.   This podcast episode was originally released May 2, 2022.

During the 2021 Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, Land O’ Lakes CEO Beth Ford joined Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall for a Fireside chat to discuss the most pressing challenges and priorities facing agriculture such as the farm labor, the supply chain, trade and climate-smart farming.   This podcast episode originally aired on February 1, 2021.

On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Georgia farmers Jake and Jimmy Carter of Southern Belle Farm. When faced with a question of what to do with their farm many years ago and developers knocking on their door, the Carter family decided to open the gates of their farm to the community with a mission to educate consumers about agriculture and bring families together.     Today, Southern Belle Farm is a must-see attraction for tourists from all over the world with tens of thousands of people visiting the farm each year. The farm has become one-stop shop of fun for families. Guests can enjoy watching the world-famous racing pigs, take a wagon ride, slide down the Belles Barnstormer, shoot a corn cannon, or enjoy a sweet treat such as strawberry shortcake or apple cider donuts. The farm is bringing families together and developing a love for agriculture along the way.

Running a Christmas tree farm isn’t for the faint of heart. It can take over a decade of hard work and uncertainty before a tree is ready to be sold, but there is a lot of joy that comes along with it as well. Tree farms often provide lasting memories for families with activities such as cutting your own tree and sleigh rides - even Saint Nick can make an appearance!   On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Joe Freeman owner of Mistletoe Meadows located in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Joe discusses life as a Christmas tree farmer and what he describes as his Super Bowl moment when selected as the 2007 National Christmas Tree winner and showcased the winning tree in the Blue Room at the White House.

Farmers and ranchers across the country work tirelessly every day to produce food for the U.S. and the world, but there can be a disconnect between what consumers hear about their food and the facts. Through social media, there is a growing opportunity for farmers and ranchers to connect directly with consumers to dispel misconceptions about food and share agriculture’s story.   On this episode of Farmside Chat Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Tara Vander Dussen and Natalie Kovarik, hosts of the Discover Ag podcast to discuss how they’re elevating ag and helping farmers and ranchers tell their stories.

There is a long history of soldiers going back to the farm dating back to George Washington. For Veterans, the transition from soldier to farmer is a natural one: the outdoor lifestyle, the long hours working rain or shine, the unpredictability and knowledge that people are depending on you.   On today’s Farmside Chat, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall chats with Laura and Chris Varhola two Veterans who after 30 years in the Army decided to continue their life of service by going back to their family farm. They discuss how lessons they learned in the military helped to prepare them for life on the farm and why going back to the land was ultimately the best decision for them.

Young Farmer and Rancher Committee Chair Alisha Schwertner chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about training and empowering the next generation of farmers and ranchers to tell agriculture’s story.

Oklahoma dietician and farmer Sheri Glazier chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about the misconceptions when it comes to food and nutrition and the importance ag education.

Connecticut farmers Terry and Jamie Jones chat with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about their direct marketing efforts and how focusing on agri-tourism on the farm has resulted in a deep connection with their suburban community.

Dr. Marcus Bernard, President of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) and Associate Professor at Kentucky State University chats with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about empowering minority youth and enhancing opportunities to shape the future of agriculture.

Four brothers Ben, David, Daniel and Andrew Volleman chat with Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall about life on a dairy farm and how their family operation delivers its products straight to consumers using innovative and sustainable technology.