Fill Your Plate NOW

Butcher Solutions on Wheels: How Sierra Anthony is Revolutionizing Meat Processing & Bringing Better Beef Home

We sit down with Sierra Anthony [https://www.instagram.com/butcher_solutions_llc/] — meat scientist, owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC [https://butchersolutionsllc.com/], and a force of nature in the meat industry. Growing up on a grain and cow-calf farm in rural Ohio, Sierra discovered her passion for meat science in college and never looked back. She's coached collegiate meat judging teams, earned her master's researching innovative carcass fabrication, and now travels the country with her unique in-house butcher training program that helps small and mid-sized processors build skilled labor without sending teams away for weeks. Sierra shares her "aha" moment in meat science, the biggest skill gaps she sees in today's processing workforce, and the simple butchery and aging techniques that dramatically improve taste and texture. As an adult-onset hunter (Adult discovery for the love of hunting) and competitive athlete, she delivers hard-earned field-to-table advice, favorite underutilized cuts home cooks should try, and straight talk on red meat in a healthy diet. We also dive into what separates good butchers from truly great ones, how proper training strengthens local food systems, consumer demand for transparency and a celebration of farming and ranching, and what it means to be a woman leading in a traditionally male-dominated field (including her recent COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 [https://www.cowgirl30under30.com/] recognition and competing in the 2025 World Butcher Challenge [https://www.worldbutcherschallenge.com/] in Paris). Whether you buy meat, raise it, process it, or just love eating it, this conversation delivers practical, inspiring insights on how skilled butchery bridges producers, processors, and consumers — creating more sustainable systems and higher-quality protein on American plates. We also celebrate Anthony as Arizona Farm Bureau's keynote speaker during our Summer Agricultural Conference [https://www.azfb.org/Article/2026-Summer-Agricultural-Conference] this coming July! Resources for Sierra Anthony, Meat, Beef, and Butchery Enthusiast | Owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC Butcher Solutions Website [https://butchersolutionsllc.com/] | Butcher Solutions Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/butcher_solutions_llc/] | Sierra Anthony's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierra-jepsen-butcher-solutions/] 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]

From Sportswriter to Food Bank Champion: Jerry Brown on Feeding Millions at America's First Food Bank

In this inspiring episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we welcome Jerry Brown, Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's Food Bank. With 17 years at the organization, and more than 20 years prior as a respected Valley sportswriter covering the Suns, Coyotes, and Diamondbacks, Jerry brings a unique perspective to the fight against hunger. Our farm gate to your plate focus, dives deep into the importance of making food available to those with limited resources. Discover the remarkable story of St. Mary's Food Bank—the very first food bank established in the United States. Today, it stands as one of the largest food banks in the world, proudly serving millions of meals each year across Arizona and beyond. Recognized as a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator, one of America's Top 100 Charities by Forbes, and the Largest Phoenix-Area Nonprofit Organization for Service Assistance according to the Phoenix Business Journal, St. Mary's continues to lead with compassion and impact. Join us for an engaging conversation about the power of community, the evolution of hunger relief, and how one organization's mission continues to fill plates and change lives across the Valley and the nation. Whether you're passionate about local impact or simply want to learn how you can help, this episode will leave you inspired. Resources for Jerry Brown | Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's Food Bank St. Mary's Food Bank Website [https://www.stmarysfoodbank.org/] | Jerry Brown's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-brown-4b65102b6/]. 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]

Registered Dietitian PhD Shares Evidence-Based Dairy Tips for Everyday Wellness

On today's episode, we're joined by Dr. Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council. Dr. Ricklefs-Johnson leads research initiatives focused on childhood health, precision nutrition, and women's health—helping shape the science behind dairy's role in overall wellness. In this conversation, she breaks down the latest research and, more importantly, translates the science into practical, real-life solutions you can apply to everyday nutrition and health decisions. A registered dietitian with a PhD in nutritional sciences, Dr. Ricklefs-Johnson brings a strong academic foundation and is actively involved in leading organizations like the American Society for Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Today, she joins us to share how evolving nutrition science is shaping personalized health—and what it means for you at the table. Resources for Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, PhD, RDN | Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council National Dairy Council [https://www.usdairy.com/about-us/dmi] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-ricklefs-johnson/] 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]

Why the West's Irrigated Farms Are Critical to America's Food Security

Samantha Barncastle, Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance, is an attorney with 17+ years in water law and natural resources, a multigenerational farm kid, and a farmer's wife in New Mexico's Mesilla Valley. In this powerful episode of Fill Your Plate Now, Sam shares her journey from the youngest attorney licensed in New Mexico to leading the fight for Western irrigated agriculture—the region that grows the majority of America's specialty crops, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dairy. From the history of the Family Farm Alliance (founded nearly 30 years ago by farmers concerned about water and land issues in the west) to today's biggest threats—aging dams and canals, regulatory delays, litigation, and policy hurdles—Sam breaks down why reliable water delivery in the 17 Western states is the hidden backbone of America's food security, rural economies, and national resilience. What you'll learn: * Why Western irrigated agriculture is so exceptionally productive * How water infrastructure directly affects what ends up on your plate * Current policy and regulatory pressures facing family farmers and ranchers * Economic headwinds in 2025–2026 and how producers are navigating them * Bright spots: innovations in precision irrigation, new crop varieties, and public-private partnerships * A farmer-to-farmer message for the next generation and a simple call to action for consumers everywhere Whether you're a farmer, rancher, policymaker, or just someone who eats, this conversation shows how keeping Western family farms viable keeps plates full across the entire country. If you care about where your food comes from, rural communities, or water policy that actually works for farmers, hit play, like, comment, and subscribe to Fill Your Plate Now for more conversations that matter. Resources for Samantha Barncastle | Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance The Family Farm Alliance Website [https://www.familyfarmalliance.org/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-barncastle-52137b30/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/samantha_salopek/] 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]

More Joy for Cooking from Our Beloved AZ Chef, Part 2

Join us on Fill Your Plate Now for an incredibly fun and informative conversation with Arizona's beloved chef, and cooking instructor Jan D'Atri! In this episode, Jan shares her infectious joy for cooking and dives deep into her most popular class topics with practical, game-changing tips you can use immediately in your kitchen. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced home cook, Jan's warm, enthusiastic style and pro-level insights will leave you excited to get back in the kitchen! Resources for Jan D'Atri Jan D'Atri's Website [https://jandatri.com/] | @Jan.Datri on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jan.datri/] | Jan's YouTube Page [https://www.youtube.com/user/jandatri] | Sweet Basil's Schedule of Jan's Cooking Classes [https://sweetbasilgourmet.com/jan-datri-class-schedule/] 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]