Food Transforms

Alex is joined by Peyton Janicek of Peachy Plate Nutrition to hear from a Registered Dietitian about how we can all improve our food habits. They discuss basic nutrition, fasting, the effect of diet on hormones, and whether mimosas are good marathon hydration. Plus a rapid fire fad-diet review for the break!

What a treat to be joined by Alton Tsowaseb, a Fulbright Scholar from Namibia, to discuss his experience in conservation and community development in his home country on the southwestern coast of Africa. We learn about the Namibian diet, the impact of european colonization, as well as Alton's work on Community Conservancies. Plus Chloe has a discount code for listeners to try Robinette's Local Foo...

Jason Steele of Picnic Hill Orchard joins Alex to talk about running an apple orchard and welcoming the public to his farm southeast of Lincoln, NE. Plus a taste test to see if one can taste the local difference!

Chloe and Alex share what produce farmers are doing this time of year, they reflect on highlights of recent episodes, discuss growing a local food culture and economy, and Alex learns that they are an "Ingredients Household." Plus Chloe shares a discount code for $10 off on your first order at Robinette!

Alex discusses eating disorders with Dr. Daniel Gih, a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and hears about how this feels for one person that struggles with their relationship to food.

Pekarek's Produce is one of Robinette Farms' biggest suppliers for our Local Food Subscription. Ryan Pekarek joins Alex and they discuss Ryan's work in both produce and commodity farming, he and his wife's graduate work in agriculture, the biggest challenges on his farm, and of course Kolache advice.

Matt Pirog, who manages Robinette Farms' grazing operations, shares his passion for fermenting foods and helps people understand the why and big picture of fermentation. Learn how pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt and countless other fermented foods can improve your diet and health, as well as the nuts and bolts of making basic fermented foods. Alex and Matt sample various kimchis and we documen...

A wonderful interview with Ben Gotschall of Clover Cove Ranch in the Eastern Sandhills. Ben and his wife, Tammy Austin, milk cows and sell dairy products, as well as raise buffalo. Ben and Alex explore the what and why behind Clover Cove Ranch, Ben's policy work and his poetry.

Alex and Chloe revisit practical steps to limit your family's exposure to plastic in your food, as well as a quick update on cyclospora and keeping your food safe. Plus the best part: what's new and amazing in local food available to you right now!

Alex is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Ryznar, a professor and psychiatrist highlighting the detrimental effects of microplastics that make their way into our bodies, in particular on our mental health. Learn what is -- and what mostly ISN'T -- known about plastic and our health, and where you can learn more. This provokes Chloe to talk Alex down from near panic attack -- fun!

Chloe and Alex discuss the recent cyclospora concerns and what led up to it, the risk of food borne illness in general, and how Robinette Farms manages those risks to deliver the best food possible to your family.

Chris Helzer, the Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, joins Alex out on the grasslands of Pawnee County to talk about the relationship between food and conservation, the increase in woody species in grassland ecosystems, and how we should focus our farming, ranching and land management on resilience. Plus Chloe and Alex giggle about "hellish" farm experiences that turn out...

Alex sits down with Robinette Farms' neighbor, Brian Brhel, to discuss his perspective on how we can shift practices in conventional agriculture by focusing on soil health. Plus a short interview with his wife, Jenny Brhel, from a social event at Robinette this past winter.

Chloe joins Alex to talk about the microgreens Robinette sells because what even is a "microgreen"? We also discuss the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which, in Nebraska, is bringing millions of dollars to the "Food as Medicine" approach...but will it work?

Alex is joined by Laura Nelson, Executive Director of the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition to talk about their upcoming grazing schools and connecting grasslands, ranching and conservation back to FOOD. Plus a moment of some pure grassland zen!

Sarah K. Mock is the accomplished author of "Farm (and Other F Words)," and "Big Team Farms," a blogger with the substack feed "People Eat the Land," and podcaster with many, many great ongoing and series podcast creations. She joins Alex to discuss how we relate to the land, farm subsidies, creative ownership and management structures for farms and ranches, the price of food, ecosystems services...

Amy Tabor, General Manager of Open Harvest Co-op, joins Alex at the Farm to talk about cooperative principles, the history of Open Harvest, working with Boards, local food sales, and all the challenges Open Harvest has faced over 50 years of business. Plus a greenhouse interview with Megan about "pet grass."

Alex visits his good friend and neighbor, Kevin Loth of Shadowbrook Farms and Dutch Girl Creamery, to hear about what his 40 years in farming have taught him about life, farming, people and the land.

An incredible conversation with Heather Dawn Thompson of the World Wildlife Fund! We discuss indigenous foods and philosophy, having hard conversations across divides, Farm to School programming, capitalism and the value of food, what buffalo mean to the plains tribes, and we laugh a lot. Plus an insider's view on food from the 1973 Standoff at Wounded Knee. Don't miss this engaging conversation!

Erica Wassinger, one of the founders of Sandhills Elixir, joins us for a wide ranging discussion about this special Nebraska drink company, capitalism, Nebraska Water law & Natural Resource Districts, and of course Alex works in grasslands. We meet the woman taking the helm at Sandhills Elixir, Emily Hassenstab, and she offers up a 20% discount code for listeners! PLUS more details on the Robinett...

Dr. Stephanie Hartman, an excellent primary care doctor in Omaha, NE, and professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, joins Alex to talk about how food impacts health, the importance of our "microbiome," and practical ways to build resilient diet changes into your life. And who could forget fiber? Plus a fun break interviewing dozens of people about what foods suit them best!

Alex talks with Nicole Ragon about her family's business, Niobrara Grain and Milling. Her family grows certified organic wheat in the Nebraska Panhandle and mills it into flour in Valentine, Nebraska. We hear about her father, Dick Tetherow, and his passion for community and agriculture, the UniFine Mill that Niobrara uses to create the highest quality flour on the market, and balancing life and a...

Alex is joined by Michaella Kumke, the President and CEO of the Food Bank of Lincoln, to discuss food insecurity and what role farms play in feeding those in need. Plus a quick visit to the hoophouses to chat with one of Robinette's team members, Brett, about the surprising thing that makes him happiest on the farm.

Listen to Alex & Chloe banter through a discussion of grass-finished beef and how it impacts human and environmental health, how they approach concerns about animal welfare, and how ruminants affect the climate. Alex shares his least-favorite work, and Chloe tees up a funny "listener pro-tip" during the break. Learn a bit, laugh a lot, and find out how you can buy grass-finished beef from Robinett...

Join Alex McKiernan as he and the author and conservationist Bob Budd explore the value of grazing ruminants on America's grasslands, the idea that humans manage every ecosystem, and the joy and power of Wonder. And don't miss the break when Alex talks with Ty in our first edition of "Ask a Redneck."