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

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]

Award-Winning Chef + Dietitian Jackie Newgent on Making Healthy Food Irresistible

Join us on "Fill Your Plate Now" for an inspiring conversation with Jackie Newgent, RDN — a classically trained chef and registered dietitian who beautifully unites professional cooking with cutting-edge nutritional science. As the author of multiple award-winning cookbooks, a contributor to Health.com, and former chef instructor at New York City's Institute of Culinary Education, Jackie brings unmatched expertise to the table. Now based in Los Angeles, she teaches at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica, serves as a nutrition coach for My Peak Challenge, develops recipes for major food brands, and advises organizations including Forbes Health and The Non-UPF Program. A former national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Jackie is a trusted voice on how to make plant-forward eating both delicious and sustainable. In this episode, Jackie shares practical strategies for bridging flavor and nutrition, her insights on real-world healthy cooking, and how we can rethink food, health, and sustainability — all while keeping meals exciting and satisfying. Whether you're a home cook, health enthusiast, or simply want to eat better without sacrificing taste, this conversation will leave your plate (and your mind) fuller than ever. Tune in and fill your plate now! Resources for Jackie Newgent, Award-Winning Chef & Registered Dietitian | Author Jackie Newgent's Website [https://jackienewgent.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fillyourplate] | The Gourmandise School Site [https://thegourmandiseschool.com/who-we-are/instructors/chef-jackie-newgent/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fillyourplate] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jackienewgent/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackienewgent/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JackieNewgentRD/] 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]

Ranch Chores, 4-H Courage & Steak Dreams: A Fun Chat with 9-Year-Old Carey Dobson & Mom Alex

Join us for a delightful and inspiring episode of Fill Your Plate Now with 9-year-old Carey Dobson and his mom, Alex, a Northern Arizona ranching family with deep roots in Arizona agriculture. In this entertaining interview, young 4-H member Carey shares his favorite (and least favorite!) ranch chores, a hilarious calf escape story, and how he bravely wrote and delivered his own speech to win the Treasurer position in just his second 4-H meeting. Mom Alex opens up about how they approach chores and character-building with their young children, while Carey talks about his trip to the American Farm Bureau National Convention, his love for steak, what bravery means to him, and whether he dreams of continuing the ranching tradition. This episode is full of laughs, heartfelt moments, and real-life lessons on courage, responsibility, and growing up on a ranch. Whether you're a farm family, 4-H supporter, or just love hearing from the next generation of agriculturalists, Carey's energy and wisdom will fill your plate and warm your heart! This episode is perfect for families, educators, and anyone who believes in raising kids with grit and joy. Resources for Alex Dobson & Son, Carey | Arizona Farm Bureau's Young Farmer & Rancher Family Dobson Family Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/alexandria.alder/] | Dobson 1886 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dobson.1886/] 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]

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]