Why do farmers sign contracts to use GMO seeds? Episode 64
Release Date: 10/13/2020
Food Bullying Podcast
Anyone else feeling overwhelmed? Michele and Eliz talk ranging conversation about stress, uncertainty, and choice in 2021. Eliz shares tips from her new "Stress-Proof Your Life" book to tell your body it is time to let go of the stress hormone cortisol, identify what is in your stress environment and make sometimes difficult choices to rearrange your stress environment to support what is most important. They also discuss the hard choice to wrap up the Food Bullying Podcast to focus on other projects.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
Did you know soldiers used to carry flowers into battle to keep them healthy? Dr. Liza Dunn joins Michele and Eliz for a fascinating conversation about pesticides, nutrition, herbicides, and why doctors need to stay in their lane. This mom is also an emergency physician and a medical toxicologist who has done relief work in Haiti and Kenya. Her work there opened her eyes to the importance of food security and vector control for public health.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
Can we trust the information we hear about nutrition? Why does nutritional advice change? Does it have to be this confusing? Michele and Eliz are joined by Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Elieke Kearns for a lively discussion about the science of nutrition and why you shouldn’t believe everything you read on Facebook, but you should trust science.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
Sustainable farming is a hot topic - but was does sustainable even mean? In this episode Michele and Eliz welcome regenerative farmer Steve Tucker to discuss why he changed the way he farms and why great soil is like chocolate cake. He farms in southwest Nebraska with his wife and three kids on their diversified regenerative farm. Steve's innovation has been important as the farm has moved from a wheat/summer fallow rotation to 14 different crops and several different ag enterprises.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
Has an increase of leisure time during the pandemic made us more distrustful of science? Can we pick and choose what science we believe like we do flavors of ice cream? Michele and Eliz are joined by two scientists, Dr. Meghan Wulster- Radcliffe and Dr. Stuart Smyth to discuss science, misinformation and odd flavored ice cream.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
A wide-ranging conversation with a veterinarian about how farmers care for their animals, the challenges of being a vet, why you can eat veal without guilt, and the story of Fairlife Milk. Dr. Marissa Hake is a veterinarian who specializes in communicating about how our food is raised. Marissa’s background has been in calf health and welfare but recently has transitioned into a new position as the Director of Animal Welfare and Sustainable Farming for Fairlife.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
Do you know your pharmacist? Does he or she know you? If not, you may be missing out on a key player in your health care. In this episode, Michele and Eliz chat with pharmacist Jason Medows about the role he plays in his rural community and why mental health resources should be treated as first aid. Jason Medows is a pharmacist and rancher from Cuba, Missouri. He lives on a family farm with my wife Keri and their 4 sons.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Leslie Bonci is back as a three-peat guest with the truth about immunity-boosting foods, why your gut health is essential, and, of course - lots of laughs with Michele and Eliz! She talks about food bullying around COVID-19 and immune boosting claims.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
What happens when the market for farm products disappears and there are hungry people in the community? In Utah it led to farmers delivering food to Navajo families, including lamb - a sacred food. Ron Gibson shares the heart-warming story the remarkable effort to inspire all Utah families to connect, succeed, and grow through the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation during COVID-19.
info_outlineFood Bullying Podcast
What happens when the market for farm products disappears and there are hungry people in the community? In Utah it led to farmers delivering food to Navajo families, including lamb - a sacred food. Ron Gibson shares the heart-warming story the remarkable effort to inspire all Utah families to connect, succeed, and grow through the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation during COVID-19.
info_outlineDid you know popcorn is an entirely different crop than the sweet corn you enjoy on the cob? Eliz didn't! Michele and Eliz welcome Brian Scott to talk about popcorn, sweet corn, field corn, GMOs, and why seeds are intellectual property.
Brian is a corn, soybean, popcorn, and wheat farmer in northwest Indiana raising two young boys on the farm with his wife, Nicole. He started The Farmer's Life blog in 2011 as a way to reach out to people across the world who don't have farming as a part of their daily life.
Key points:
What is the difference between sweet corn, field corn, and popcorn?
- Field corn harvested when dry
- Sweet corn harvested when juicy
- Popcorn outside of kernel thicker than sweet corn
- Sweet corn and & popcorn account for about 1% of all corn grown
- Field corn goes to animal feed, corn oil extraction, or ethanol
Why is some corn labeled GMO, but not all?
- There is no GMO popcorn.
- Most sweet corn is modified to keep worms out of the plant. If the worm takes a bite, the worm dies. Farmers don't have to spray the plants to protect them.
- Field corn is modified to allow farmers to keep weeds from taking nutrients, light, and water from the plants. This allows farmers to use a single herbicide.
Why do farmers have to sign a contract with seed companies?
- It takes tremendous effort and money to create a new seed product.
- A farmer can choose which seeds will work best in their fields. They are not under corporate control.
- Farmers don't "save seeds" to plant next year because the offspring isn't the same as the original. Planting equipment is also very precise. The machinery needs very consistently sized and clean seeds.
Three tips to overcome Food Bullying:
- Don't pay attention to labels
- Eat what tastes good to you
- Know farmers care about the environment
Links:
Brian Scott Website: thefarmerslife.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thefarmerslife03
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefarmerslife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefarmerslife/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefarmerslife
Food Bullying with Michele Payn: http://foodbullying.com
Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene: http://www.embraceyourheart.com/
Food Bullying Podcast’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/foodbullyingpodcast