Grad School Real Talk at SAAS 2026

Why Agriculture Is not One-Size-Fits-All

In this episode of AgriCurious, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Jo Thompson, an anthropologist and faculty member in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia, to explore the complex human side of agriculture and food systems. Using cover cropping as a key example, the conversation looks at farmer decision-making, risk perception, sustainability, and communication strategies. Dr. Thompson explains why agricultural outreach is never one-size-fits-all and shares how trust, lived experiences, and social realities shape the way farmers respond to agricultural information, technologies, and change. After listening, please take 10 seconds to share your feedback at bit.ly/agricurious [http://bit.ly/agricurious].

Beyond the Meat Plate

In this episode, Dennis sits down with Dr. KatieRose McCullough, President and Chief Scientist of the Meat Foundation and Director of Science and Public Health at the Meat Institute, for a conversation on meat science, food safety, public health, and the future of the meat industry. Dr. McCullough shares insights into the biggest challenges facing the industry today, how trust is built through science communication, and the innovations that could transform meat production in the coming years. The episode also offers valuable advice for students and early-career researchers interested in agriculture, food systems, and public health. After listening, please take 10 seconds to share your feedback at bit.ly/agricurious [http://bit.ly/agricurious].

The Hidden Economics of Food Access

In this episode, Dennis sits down with Dr. Craig Gundersen, the Snee Family Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics at Baylor University. They discuss the role of agricultural economics in shaping the food system, the economic forces behind food insecurity, and the broader impacts of food access on health and society. The conversation also explores Dr. Gundersen’s work on Map the Meal Gap with Feeding America and what it reveals about food insecurity across the United States. After listening, please take 10 seconds to share your feedback at bit.ly/agricurious [http://bit.ly/agricurious].

Is Precision Agriculture All We Think It Is?

In this episode of AgriCurious, Dennis speaks with Dr. Chin-Ling Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of Georgia, about precision agriculture and what truly drives its adoption. They discuss how precision tools influence farmer decision-making, the social and psychological factors shaping adoption, and what makes an approach integrative rather than simply technology-driven. After listening, please take 10 seconds to share your feedback at bit.ly/agricurious [http://bit.ly/agricurious].

Grad School Real Talk at SAAS 2026

On this episode of AgriCurious, Dennis sat with fellow graduate students during the 2026 Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) Conferences in Louisville, Kentucky, to reflect on their conference experiences and journeys through graduate school. Featuring Mikayla Hargis (Kansas State University), Ruwini Bandara (North Carolina State University), and Oluwadamilare Oloyede (Mississippi State University), the conversation shares honest insights into research, networking, and life as emerging agricultural scholars. After listening, please take 10 seconds to share your feedback at bit.ly/agricurious [http://bit.ly/agricurious].