Raising Kids and Cattle: How One Young Arizona Ranch Couple Manages in Modern Times

Raising Kids and Cattle: How One Young Arizona Ranch Couple Manages in Modern Times

Join us on Fill Your Plate Now for an inspiring conversation with Ben and Ashley Menges — a young, hardworking ranching couple in southern Arizona who are raising both a family and a herd of cattle with grit, heart, and deep-rooted values. From balancing life with young kids on the ranch to navigating the daily realities of cattle production in the arid Southwest, Ben and Ashley share what it truly means to live the modern ranching lifestyle. They talk about the challenges and rewards of raising quality beef, stewarding the land they love, building a multi-generational operation, and teaching their children the importance of hard work, resilience, and connection to where their food comes from. Plus, they both serve in volunteer leadership positions in Arizona Farm Bureau. If you care about real food, family, rural America, and the next generation of farmers and ranchers, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear how the Menges family is filling their plate — and helping fill yours — one day, one calf, and one lesson at a time. Resources for Ben and Ashley Menges | Menges Ranch Menges Ranch Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/mengesranch/] | Arizona Farm Bureau [https://www.azfb.org/Article/Meet-Arizona-Agricultures-Ben-and-Ashley-Menges] Additional Resources Tammy Baker LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-baker-39618b2b/] | Julie Murphree LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-murphree-2b4280/] | AZ Milk Producers Website [https://arizonamilk.org/] | Arizona Farm Bureau [https://www.azfb.org/Arizona-Farm-Bureau-The-Voice-of-Arizona-Agriculture]

Fill Your Plate Securely: Dr. Wolker on Battling the Screwworm Before It Hits Arizona

Join Fill Your Plate Now for a critical conversation with Dr. Ryan Wolker, DVM, Arizona's State Veterinarian. Recent confirmed cases of New World Screwworm in Texas and New Mexico have put the spotlight on this parasitic fly, but Dr. Wolker makes one thing crystal clear: this is a food security issue, not a food safety issue. NWS endangers livestock herds, wildlife, pets, and could impact food supply chains — yet it poses zero risk to the safety of our food due to food safety practices already in place. The USDA and state partners have repeatedly confirmed that the U.S. food supply remains safe. In this episode, discover Arizona's robust surveillance program (fly trapping since August 2025 with no current detections), practical steps every producer and pet owner can take right now, what clinical signs to watch for, the exact reporting process, and how Arizona is coordinating with USDA-APHIS, neighboring states, tribes, and public health partners. Stay informed and help protect the food system that fills our plates. Resources for Dr. Ryan Wolker, DVM | Arizona's State Veterinarian Screwworm.gov [https://www.uda.coop/] | Arizona Department of Agriculture New World Screwworm [https://agriculture.az.gov/new-world-screwworm] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wolker-88924313b/] Additional Resources Tammy Baker LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-baker-39618b2b/] | Julie Murphree LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-murphree-2b4280/] | AZ Milk Producers Website [https://arizonamilk.org/] | Arizona Farm Bureau [https://www.azfb.org/Arizona-Farm-Bureau-The-Voice-of-Arizona-Agriculture]

Large Animal Vet Life, Dairy Regulations & Consumer Myths: Inside Look with Dr. Kandice Runyon

Discover the real story behind dairy cow care with Dr. Kandice Runyon, DVM, Director of Animal Wellbeing at United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA). In this insightful episode of Fill Your Plate Now, the Ontario Veterinary College graduate and experienced dairy production medicine specialist shares her journey from growing up around Canadian family farms to international training in New Zealand, New Mexico, Israel, and Wisconsin. Dr. Runyon discusses the rewards and challenges of life as a large-animal veterinarian, a typical day on the job, and an unexpected moment while checking a cow's health. She addresses common misconceptions about dairy farming and farm animal welfare, explains key regulations and programs that ensure high standards of care, and details how dairies train workers to properly care for their animals. Learn fascinating facts about dairy cows: their unique biology, what they eat, how they convert feed into milk, and how their nutritional needs change throughout life. Dr. Runyon also highlights the three most important things every consumer should know about modern dairies and dairy cows. Whether you're a consumer, farmer, or simply curious about where your milk comes from, this episode provides transparent, expert-backed insights into bovine health, sustainable dairy practices, and animal wellbeing in today's dairy industry. Resources for Dr. Kandice Runyon, DVM | Director of Animal Wellbeing United Dairymen of Arizona Website [https://www.uda.coop/] | UDA Leadership Web Page [https://www.uda.coop/who-we-are/leadership] Additional Resources Tammy Baker LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-baker-39618b2b/] | Julie Murphree LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-murphree-2b4280/] | AZ Milk Producers Website [https://arizonamilk.org/] | Arizona Farm Bureau [https://www.azfb.org/Arizona-Farm-Bureau-The-Voice-of-Arizona-Agriculture]

Arizona's 360 Days of Sunshine: How the Desert Became America's Winter Salad Bowl

Discover how Arizona's incredible climate powers our state's agriculture. With over 300 days of blazing sunshine, mild desert winters, and diverse microclimates, the Grand Canyon State grows fresh vegetables when the rest of the country is frozen. From Yuma — the Winter Lettuce Capital of the World — supplying 90-100% of U.S. leafy greens in peak winter months, to robust harvests of dates, pecans, melons, and cotton, Arizona farmers turn sunshine and smart irrigation into a $31 billion economic powerhouse. In this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we explore the "golden gift" of Arizona's solar abundance, record-breaking truckloads of fresh produce feeding the nation, and the innovation making desert farming a model for climate-resilient food production. Tune in to see how Arizona fills America's plates — every single day of the year. Resources for Julie Mirphree, Strategic Communications Director at the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation https://jackienewgent.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fillyourplateJulie Murphree LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-murphree-2b4280/] | [https://jackienewgent.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fillyourplate]Arizona Farm Bureau [https://www.azfb.org/Arizona-Farm-Bureau-The-Voice-of-Arizona-Agriculture] Additional Resources Tammy Baker LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-baker-39618b2b/] | AZ Milk Producers Website [https://arizonamilk.org/] |

Life & Legacy on Desperado Dairy

Join us on a captivating journey into the heart of agriculture and dairy farming at Desperado Dairy. In this podcast, we sit down with Casey and Andrea Dugan, proud owners and a 4th-generation dairy family, as they share the triumphs and tribulations of operating Desperado Dairy. Discover the intricate and rewarding life on the farm, where caring for their beloved cows, dedicated workers, and passionate community is at the forefront of everything they do. From the daily challenges of dairy farming to their innovative practices that ensure safe, nutritious, and affordable products for consumers, this podcast reveals the dedication and evolution of a modern-day dairy operation. Tune in for a blend of heartfelt stories, industry insights, and a celebration of sustainability in agriculture. Whether you're an aspiring farmer or just curious about where your milk comes from, this podcast is your ticket to understanding the legacy and love behind the life of Desperado Dairy. Resources for Casey and Andrea Dugan | Desperado Dairy United Dairymen of Arizona Website [https://www.uda.coop/who-we-are/our-family-farms] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/desperadodairy/] Additional Resources Tammy Baker LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-baker-39618b2b/] | Julie Murphree LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-murphree-2b4280/] | AZ Milk Producers Website [https://arizonamilk.org/] | Arizona Farm Bureau [https://www.azfb.org/Arizona-Farm-Bureau-The-Voice-of-Arizona-Agriculture]