AgriCurious Podcast

Join Lamm Lab members Dennis Baffour-Awuah, Gracie Grimes, and Michael Batame as they reflect on their journey from Billings, Montana, where they attended the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) Conference, to Corvallis, Oregon, for the International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) Conference. In this episode of the Agricurious Podcast, they share the research they...

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 strateg...

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 sci...

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 Fe...

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 ap...

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 (Mississip...

What usually goes wrong when we try to solve complex problems using simple cause-and-effect thinking? How do we feel when that approach doesn’t lead to one clear “right” answer? In this episode, Dennis sits down with Dr. Kevan Lamm, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication at the University of Georgia and an Extension leadership specialist,...

Peat has been the backbone of soilless plant production for decades, but growing environmental concerns and tightening supply are forcing the industry to rethink what comes next. In this episode of the AgriCurious Podcast, Dennis sits down with Dr. Jeb Fields and Dr. James Altland to discuss the Soilless Substrate Project, peat alternatives, stratified substrates, and what growers can realisticall...

Can food waste be part of the solution rather than the problem? In this episode of AgriCurious, Dennis speaks with Dr. Peng Lu, Assistant Professor in the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication Department at the University of Georgia, about upcycled food and the science behind it. Dr. Lu studies how consumers respond to food innovations and how communication shapes acceptance. Their...

What does it take to protect peaches in Georgia and apples in New York from a shifting mix of pests, weather, and regulations? In this episode of AgriCurious, Dennis sits down with Dr. Brett Blaauw, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia and Clemson University, and Dr. Monique Rivera, Assistant Professor at Cornell AgriTech and Faculty Fellow at the Atkinson Cent...

In this episode of AgriCurious, we hang out in the Lamm Lab Lounge, where science meets stories and laughter. Join Dennis, Funmi, Megan, Michael, and Gracie as they chat about their research, experiences, and what makes science communication such an exciting journey. It’s curiosity, community, and a touch of fun, all in one conversation!

What happens when science meets the vineyard? In this episode, Dennis sits down with Dr. Renee Threlfall and Dr. Margaret Worthington, the dynamic duo behind the Vitis × Muscadinia project, to talk about building better grapes through collaboration. Recorded in Fayetteville during the VxM Annual Meeting, 2025, the conversation explores the project’s impact on research, growers, and the future of g...

In this episode, Dr. Alexa Lamm hosts Manuel Morales from Los Arroyos Nursery in Watsonville, California. Manuel shares his insights on a constantly evolving industry, including how he works closely with scientists to push industry standards, his view on the future need for alternative soilless substrates, and how he has enjoyed growing plants for over 35 years with no plans to stop, despite the n...

The spotted lanternfly may look striking with its bold wings of red, black, and white and a body patterned with yellow bands and dark spots, but don’t be fooled. It's one of the most pressing invasive species threatening agriculture in the United States. In this episode of AgriCurious, Dennis sits down at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory with two experts from Penn State Univ...

PFAS and microplastics are two of the most talked-about contaminants in our food, water, and environment, but what do we really know about them, and why should we care? In this podcast, host Dennis Baffour-Awuah brings together voices from research and practice to discuss the science, the risks, and the realities behind these invisible threats. Featuring Dr. Sarah White, Professor and Nursery Exte...

Plant-based meat movements: a disservice to society? In this episode, Dr. Keith Belk, Director of the Center for Meat Safety and Quality at Colorado State University, discusses the role of meat in our diets, common misconceptions, and the rise of anti-meat movements. He talks about how consumer perceptions have evolved, debunks myths surrounding meat, and shares insights from his career as a meat...

Dr. Lamm sits with Joe Proudman, the Associate Director of Communications at the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center. They discuss the center's origins, mission, research areas, and science communication efforts, including how they aim to address the five pillars supporting their work. The CLEAR Center works to help the animal agriculture industry operate...

In this episode of AgriCurious, Dr. Alexa Lamm interviews staff from AgNext , an innovative animal agriculture research center at Colorado State University. They explore the center’s mission, detail current and upcoming research projects, and address a common challenge: helping people truly grasp the science behind their work. Covering topics from methane emissions and livestock welfare to data-dr...

Ever wondered what makes farming in Africa so different from farming in America? In this episode, we sit down with Zola, a bold and inspiring woman farmer, as she takes us through her journey from how she got started to the challenges she’s faced, the barriers she’s broken, and the wins she’s proud of. It’s a real talk on two farming worlds, one passion, and the roots that keep her grounded. You d...

Did you ever think you could learn about agriculture in a fun and easy way? Well, that’s exactly what we’re doing here on AgriCurious by making big conversations about food, science, and the environment simple, relatable, and fun. In this premiere episode, we kick things off with a conversation with Dr. Alexa Lamm, a leading voice in agricultural communication at the University of Georgia. We talk...