A dairy farmer who is just shy of ONE MILLION followers on Facebook, Derrick Josi survives on coffee and sarcasm while dispelling B.S. on social media. He says “doesn't put up or ignore idiots online because to do so makes them feel justified and entitled to stay ignorant.”  This candid conversation covers everything from Josi and Nicole’s mutual disdain for certain food labels and love of ice cream to his and Michele’s friendly debate over who has the better breed of dairy cattle. RDs can glean insight on what REALLY happens on a dairy, from feeding, to animal welfare, and caring for the ..read more

“Translating the science to the table does not mean we slide over the science.” Connie Diekman, M.Ed, RD, CSSD, LD, FADA, FAND is a Food and Nutrition Consultant in St. Louis, Missouri, and a former President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Always on top of cutting-edge research, she recently co-authored  Misinformation and Disinformation in Food Science and Nutrition: Impact on Practice.  This paper explains "Health and wellness gurus, or self-proclaimed experts, utilize social media platforms to garner attention through compelling narratives, build audience followings, a ..read more

“You have to do what’s right, no matter how much it hurts.” Dr. Kevin Folta is a molecular biologist who has worked with mRNA for more than 25 years. He is scientist in the genetics and genomics of small fruit crops, a recent farmers market president, and advocate for science communication. And although he’s suffered significant personal and professional hardship for standing up for science, he continues to train, teach AND tweet the evidence, because, as he puts it, “you have to say the words” to help combat mis- and disinformation in the agricultural space.  Dr. Folta emphasizes that te ..read more

The biggest hurdle for so many people pursuing health and wellness, including healing their relationship with food and being intentional about nutrition, has so much more to do with their mental and emotional state that we often realize. I believe that health should be pursued in a holistic approach, not sacrificing one aspect of health while in pursuit of another.  Kiah Twisselman Burchett, better known as Coach Kiah, is a California cattle rancher turned motivational speaker, life coach, and podcaster on a mission to empower others to love themselves deeper, care for themselves better ..read more

“We’re not ‘dousing’ our fields, we’re not ‘mining’ our soil, and nutrients don’t ‘run off’ the fields during normal rainfall.”  As a dietitian turned full-time farmer on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Jennie Schmidt has heard it all when it comes to misconceptions about how our food is raised.  Growing corn, soybeans, wheat, green beans, and wine grapes with her brother-in-law, Jennie is equally passionate about the health of her soil as she is about cutting through the noise about agriculture for fellow dietitians. She questions how farming today is monoculture and walks through ex ..read more

“Everyday life on the farm isn’t always sunshine and roses.” Nick Schweitzwer, a fifth generation farmer from the area known as “the ridge” north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Roughly 60% of Michigan’s apple production are grown in the area and Nick grows over 18 varieties on his farm.  He shares how there are many challenges unique to Midwest apple growers. Nick relishes the opportunity to share how he tackles the impact of high humidity, something his Pacific Northwest counterparts don’t grapple with. Noting that the choice of organic or conventionally grown apples is a consumer choice, Ni ..read more

“Go out and get the work done.” If there’s one insight to be gleaned from the 100th episode of the Food Bullying Podcast, it might be this one from co-host Michele. Or that she'd rather smell like her cows, while Nicole wishes to smell like Froot Loops. When Michele wanted to take the Food Bullying podcast in a new direction, she tapped a dietitian as a co-host.  But why one with zero background in agriculture?  Nicole's candid discussion touches on everything from Nicole’s perceived indoctrination of “big ag” being bad during her nutrition studies in New York City to where the co-ho ..read more

If Hannah Craun and Levi Schiller are any indication, the future of farming certainly shines bright. Craun, a masters student at Virginia Tech focusing on cattle reproduction, and Schiller, an Ag Business major at The University of Nebraska, boast numerous awards and experiences in 4-H and FFA. They also share a concern about the misconceptions surrounding agriculture - and how fear and confusion are impacting the consumer. “The basic knowledge gap that separates agriculturists from the rest of society is huge and hugely concerning,” says Craun, who was raised on her family’s dairy, beef, and ..read more

Natalie Mariani Kling is a fourth generation family member of premium dried fruit company, which was started by her great grandfather in 1906 in what is now Silicon Valley. "My family and I are committed to 'inspire healthy living' and being a real solution for busy families trying to eat a little healthier every day." Natalie shares different perspectives in the medical and nutritional community about natural sugar vs. added sugar, and understanding how bad certain sugars are for your body. "When natural sugar is combined with a good amount of fiber, your body is able to digest natural sugars ..read more

Food prices rose 13% in 2022. Yet American's waste about $218 billion of food the U.S. and food is the single largest component taking up space inside of our landfills. RDN Rosanne Rust offers practical ways to reduce food waste in the home to save money and help the environment.  A prolific writer, she’s published eight books, including several in the popular For Dummies® series, including her latest include Zero Waste Cooking For Dummies® (Jan 2022, John Wiley & Sons), and the 2nd edition of DASH Diet For Dummies® (November 2020). Rosanne  believe's there's more than one way to ..read more