Groundwork is a must-listen podcast for policymakers, farmers and ranchers, media, and all interested in agricultural policy. Hear straight from the heartland of America – no filler, just the facts.
Episodes
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Monday Nov 23, 2020
During this season of gratitude, we are giving thanks to America’s farmers and ranchers.
Not only do America’s strong federal farm policies ensure that we all have reliable access to affordable food, they also share our generous bounty with our neighbors.
Nicole Berg, a fourth-generation farmer from Washington State and Vice President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, joined Groundwork to talk about how rural America gives back all year round through food aid.
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
An August storm in Iowa flattened millions of acres of corn with more than 100 mile-per-hour winds, wildfires in the West continue to do untold damage to fruit and vegetable crops, and hurricane season in the Atlantic has already generated a historic number of storms.
Farmers are sure to face even more challenges as extreme storms and other destructive weather events threaten to upend harvest.
Groundwork spoke to crop insurance agents Casey Clipson and Jack Tank about the unique challenges of this year and the indispensable role that crop insurance plays in the farm safety net.
Monday Aug 10, 2020
Monday Aug 10, 2020
During the COVID-19 crisis, it has been more important than ever that we come together to support one another. America’s sugar farmers are doing their part, keeping sugar moving from farm to table while also helping sustain rural communities and support workers during this tough time.
On this episode of Groundwork, Farm Policy Facts talked to two guests from the sugar industry about how they’ve adapted their work to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday Jul 02, 2020
Thursday Jul 02, 2020
This episode of Groundwork airs just in time for the 4th of July holiday and features recordings of presidents discussing how American farm policy has kept our nation strong. Jeff Harrison, our farm policy expert this episode, notes that American farm policy traces its roots all the way back to President George Washington and the first Congress.
Friday May 01, 2020
Friday May 01, 2020
America’s farmers and ranchers will likely need more assistance from the federal government to recover from the downturn in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas is the former chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and has been in close contact with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue throughout the government’s response to the pandemic. This episode was recorded earlier this month. For the most up-to-date information from Ranking Member Conaway, please visit republicans-agriculture.house.gov.
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
With all of the information out there on Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, we called up Dr. Joe Outlaw, a renowned agricultural economist at Texas A&M and Co-Director of Texas A&M’s Agricultural & Food Policy Center, for his take on all things farm policy.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019
This month, Groundwork spoke to Dr. John Newton, Chief Economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation, and one of the foremost experts on farm economics to discuss rural America’s hopes for a prosperous new year.
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Groundwork spoke with Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), to talk about Thanksgiving dinner. More specifically, to discuss NFU’s annual study examining the farmer’s share of the Thanksgiving food dollar.
Thursday Oct 24, 2019
Thursday Oct 24, 2019
Just last week, the Federal Reserve reported in their October “Beige Book” the dismal news that agricultural conditions have “deteriorated further due to the ongoing impacts of adverse weather, weak commodity prices, and trade disruptions.” Brian Thalmann, farmer and chairman of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, recently spoke with Groundwork about these persistent challenges and others facing farmers as they head into the harvest season.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
America’s farmers have found themselves on the front lines of an ongoing trade war, but recent news on three major trade fronts has farmers across the heartland cautiously optimistic. Trade attorney John Gilliland joins Groundwork to discuss what this means for agriculture and the status of several other ongoing trade negotiations. Listen to this episode to learn more about how American agriculture stands to benefit from these trade negotiations.