Dirt to Dinner: Digging In

Whether you're eating like a Mediterranean, going DASH, or navigating Nordic cuisine, this podcast reveals that multiple healthy diets leave unique molecular fingerprints on your DNA that are linked to a slower pace of biological aging . Rather than crowning a single "fountain of youth" diet, the research shows that sticking to dietary fundamentals—plenty of veggies, fruits, whole grains, and heal...

In this inspiring episode of  Digging In , host Garland West chats with Dr. Andreas Bluethner about how adding microscopic quantities of essential vitamins and minerals to everyday staples like oil, flour, and salt can achieve world-changing health "moonshots"...all for just fractions of a cent . Dr. Bluethner unpacks the real-world grit behind global nutrition, from market champions revolutionizi...

Step onto a modern farm today and you might see server racks, IoT sensors, and high-tech drones generating terabytes of data before lunch. This lively podcast episode takes a deep dive into the USDA's official plans for integrating artificial intelligence into our fields. Far from replacing the crucial human element, AI is stepping in as the ultimate "executive assistant" to help farmers navigate...

Ever wondered how a tiny temperature change in the Pacific Ocean can completely flip the global weather switch? In this episode, we unpack the return of the "Super" El Niño—an environmental powerhouse that meteorologists warn could trigger chaotic climate extremes across the globe.  But the real twist comes when we trace these shifting ocean currents straight to your grocery cart. While a warmer a...

Think your fresh summer salad is the ultimate healthy choice? Think again! In this eye-opening episode, we unpack how microscopic party crashers, like Salmonella and Cyclospora are turning backyard barbecues and crisp lunches into weeks of gastrointestinal misery across the country. Before you reach for the bleach or try that viral TikTok vinegar soak, hit play to learn why most internet food-safe...

Are you standing in the pet food aisle clutching a bag of organic, grain-free kibble, feeling like you're passing a moral test rather than buying groceries? Welcome to the guilt-ridden world of modern pet food marketing, where glossy bags scream "no fillers," "no corn," and "human-grade" to play on your deepest dietary anxieties. In this eye-opening episode, we dive headfirst into the "species jum...

Ever stood at the grocery meat counter and felt your jaw drop at a $6.75 price tag for a simple pound of ground beef? You aren't alone, and this episode of our podcast breaks down why your backyard barbecue is starting to feel like a luxury event. We dive into a mind-blowing math problem: the U.S. is trying to feed a population that has exploded by 92% since 1961 using a cattle herd that is the ex...

In this episode of Dirt to Dinner's Digging In, Garland West dives deep into the complexities of food insecurity with resource strategist, William Nall. From climate change to economic instability, it's not just one issue — it's a web of interconnected challenges. Bill shares insights on how infrastructure, education, and health play crucial roles in fighting food insecurity. He emphasizes that it...

This episode of " Dirt to Dinner: Digging In " features host Garland West interviewing Nancy Post, a senior adviser at Boston Consulting Group and former Vice President of Technology at John Deere. The discussion centers on how technology — including artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation — is fundamentally transforming the modern food system to meet the challenge of feeding a global po...

The podcast focuses on shifting your perspective from daily nutritional perfection to a sustainable weekly and monthly eating rhythm . Instead of viewing each day as a "pass" or "fail" based on a 24-hour scorecard, we're highlighting how health is built through consistent patterns and long-term habits . Read our full article and check out our other content at  Dirt to Dinner .

Every day, headlines warn us about the "industrial" threat of glyphosate, but the science tells a surprising story: this heavily regulated herbicide actually flushes out of the human body in a matter of hours . Meanwhile, a much more personal exposure is quietly moving from our convenience-driven lives into our tissues. Microplastics from our water bottles, synthetic clothes, and takeout container...

On this week's Digging In, we're exploring how major food corporations like PepsiCo are evolving regenerative agriculture from a marketing trend into a measurable supply chain standard . By leveraging upstream procurement , these giants use satellite imagery and AI to verify soil health across millions of acres of foundational crops . This shift mitigates financial risks for farmers through multi-...

Modern nutrition often labels ultra-processed foods as a primary health threat, yet food processing remains a vital tool for safety, affordability, and shelf life. In this podcast, we're exploring how almost all food undergoes some alteration, ranging from minimal washing and freezing to the creation of complex industrial products. By utilizing the NOVA classification system, we're distinguishing...

If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've likely seen the viral claims:  wooden brushes, detox drinks, and elaborate massage routines promising to fix a "stalled" lymphatic system to cure bloating and fatigue . The narrative is seductive—that your lymph is like a clogged kitchen sink—but the reality is far more interesting .   In today's Digging In episode, we're moving past the "det...

In this episode of Digging In, we're talking about the ongoing negotions between the United States and European Union. These nations are negotiating "The Cooperation Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade" to stabilize their $1.5 trillion economic relationship and reduce the long-standing U.S. agricultural trade deficit . This agreement is critical for  U.S. agricultural interests , as i...

This episode of "Digging In" examines the modern resurgence of  raw milk , which has transitioned from a niche farm product into a wellness status symbol for approximately 11 million Americans seeking more "natural" foods . Crucially, there's a significant safety disparity in the dairy aisle, with raw milk  accounting for 95% of all milk-related illnesses . We also debunk the "clean farm" myth, ex...

This podcast explores the newly released 2025-2030 USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This health reboot represents a fundamental shift toward real, whole foods to combat the rising tide of chronic disease and obesity.  Moving away from clinical calculations, the new standards prioritize protein intake at every meal, the consumption of full-fat dairy without added sugars, and a diet rich i...

After decades of government mismanagement of the economy, can Venezuela get back on the road to real food security? Here's the full post.

Cultivated meat is no longer science fiction, but it isn't quite mainstream reality either. It is stuck in a fascinating limbo of regulatory battles, scaling challenges, and consumer skepticism. But the technology is marching forward, often funded by the very meat companies you might expect to oppose it. Do you think it will be on your grill by next summer? Let us know by filling out our reader po...

This week's we're xamining the surprising return of beef tallow as a popular ingredient in cooking and wellness and contrasting its health concerns against vegetable oils . Is this trend driven by scientific evidence or a preference for "ancestral" and "natural" practices over established public health guidelines? There's been a historical shift away from  saturated fats  like tallow due to concer...

At a recent event addressing a New York State farming community, Lucy Stitzer speaks about the evolving landscape of agriculture, emphasizing the crucial relationships between farmers, governments, and consumers.  Lucy highlights the remarkable growth in agricultural output alongside a surging global population and the imperative for increased production. She also discusses the impact of governmen...

Recent social media concerns have arisen regarding the presence of pesticides, specifically glyphosate, and heavy metals in Girl Scout Cookies. In this podcast, we're explaining how trace amounts of glyphosate can end up in food through agricultural practices. However, these particulates are significantly below safety limits set by the EPA. The key to minimizing exposure is dietary variety. Ultima...

In this episode of "Digging In", Lucy speaks with Aaron Wetzel, Vice President at John Deere for Production and Precision Ag Production Systems .   A key theme throughout their discussion is John Deere's enduring success. This is largely attributed to its commitment to customers, focus on quality and innovation, and doing things the right way by creating value for the customer, addressing labor ch...

This podcast episode of Digging In explores the FDA's ban on Red Dye No. 3 , prompted by the Delaney Clause, a decades-old law that mandates banning any food additive causing cancer in animals. The discussion highlights the complex interplay between regulation, public perception, and scientific evidence , questioning whether the ban truly benefits public health given potentially larger nutritional...

This week's podcast delves into the intricate relationship between  tariffs, ocean freight, and the future of the US food system . It highlights the US's significant role in global agricultural trade, both in exports and imports, while noting a considerable trade deficit. We also emphasize the  importance of ocean freight in moving these goods, particularly through major ports like New Orleans. Th...