Arizona Agriculture Connection with Maricopa County Farm Bureau

In the latest edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, listeners are welcomed back after the New Year celebrations. The upcoming legislative session, starting January 11th, is highlighted, with over 200 bills already introduced. The Workplace Heat Safety Task Force has submitted their recommendations for heat safety guidelines to the Industrial Commission of Arizona. Important representatives fr...

In this New Year's Eve edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, listeners are greeted with well wishes and updates on upcoming agricultural events. The Cooperative Extension is hosting a workshop on precision stress management for water-limited agriculture on January 21, 2026, at the Maricopa Ag Center, and a field crop clinic on January 29 in Buckeye. Maricopa County Farm Bureau representatives...

In this festive edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole welcomes Amber Owens, a prominent member of the Maricopa County Farm Bureau, board member, and chair of the women's leadership committee. Amber shares her multifaceted journey in agriculture, from growing up in a farming community to managing a cow-calf operation, teaching, and running an events company. She discusses her involvemen...

This week's edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers major agricultural news. The US Department of Agriculture announces a $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program targeting row crops and specialty crops to aid farmers facing financial challenges. Key deadlines and details for Arizona producers are highlighted. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Water Resources is evaluating the R...

This week on the Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole discusses the Trump administration's $12 billion Farm aid package, aimed at providing bridge payments to row crop farmers until October 2026. The aid covers a variety of crops including barley, corn, soybeans, and more. Payments are expected in February 2026, conditional on accurate 2025 acreage reporting by December 19, 2025. Additionally, F...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Ross Rayner, a partner at Tumbling T Ranch and a board member of the Maricopa County Farm Bureau, shares his extensive background in agriculture. Rayner discusses his upbringing in Goodyear, Arizona, educational journey, roles in FFA and 4-H, and career at the family farm. He elaborates on the farm's diverse operations, including the cultivation o...

In this special Turkey Day edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole gives updates on several key topics. The USDA has opened stage two of the Supplemental Disaster Relief program for the 2023-2024 losses, with applications opening on November 24 and closing by April 30, 2026. The USDA also launched screwworm.gov for comprehensive screwworm resources. Locally, the Maricopa County Farm Bure...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole sits down with Chef Kevin Barko of The Heritage at Old Town in Buckeye. Chef Barko shares his unique journey from growing up in a small town near Detroit, Michigan, being a 4-H member, to becoming a notable chef deeply integrated into the Arizona culinary scene. Chef Barko discusses the parallels between agriculture and the restaurant indus...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole covers all things Maricopa County News plus more, including how the Arizona Farm Bureau's annual meeting has resulted in the approval of a new policy book and the election of new board members, including Maricopa County's Shawn Wood as first vice president. Nationally, President Trump announced a trade deal with China involving US soybean p...

In this edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole sits down with Paul Brierley, the Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Paul shares his journey, starting from his childhood on a farm in California, studying electrical engineering, and working in the telecommunications research industry before returning to agriculture. He discusses his various roles, including leading the Yum...

The latest edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection highlights several key events and updates in the Arizona agriculture community. It recaps the successful Maricopa County Farm Bureau Ag Social, promotes the upcoming Arizona Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers annual meeting for individuals aged 18 to 35, and provides details on the Arizona Department of Agriculture's new soil health and wate...

In this rerun episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole interviews Lauren Perez, a talent acquisition specialist at LEP and Associates. Lauren shares her journey from Kansas to Texas and her passion for agriculture, discussing the critical role of talent in the industry. They emphasize the importance of networking, using LinkedIn, and creating a standout resume. Lauren offers advice for th...

In this edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, the Arizona Department of Water Resources announces a consideration for the grass plain groundwater basin to become an active management area, with a public meeting scheduled. Upcoming agriculture events include the Maricopa County Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee's Ag Social, the Arizona Department of Agriculture's regional stakeholder me...

In this edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, the expiration of the Farm Bill on October 1st is discussed, highlighting its previous extensions and potential impacts of reverting to older laws. Provisions within the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' provide some relief by extending key programs until 2031. Additionally, the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking public input for the six-year review of t...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole introduces Rusty VanLeuven, Director of Air Quality at the Arizona Department of Agriculture. They discuss Rusty's background in agricultural economics and his career path as an inspector, leading to his current role. Rusty explains different aspects of air quality management in Arizona, focusing on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), VOCs...

In this edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, upcoming events include the Department of Agriculture's fall regional stakeholder meetings on October 7th, 23rd, 24th, and 30th, and the Maricopa County Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee's Ag Social on October 22nd. Nationally, a New World Screwworm case has been found near the US border in Hidalgo, prompting the continued pause on imports...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole sits down with Ben Menges of Menges Ranch, a fifth-generation rancher in Arizona. Ben shares his background and compares public land ranching in Arizona and New Mexico, highlighting political and operational differences. He discusses the complex relationship with federal agencies like the BLM and US Forest Service, including legal battles a...

 September is shaping up to be a busy month for Arizona’s agriculture community, with important events, learning opportunities, and updates that directly impact our farms, ranches, and agribusinesses. Whether you’re looking to stay informed on policy changes, strengthen your biosecurity practices, or connect with fellow producers, there’s something for everyone this month. 👉 For registration...

This episode of "Arizona Agriculture Connection" features a special introduction to Meika Lauppe, the new grassroots engagement intern. Mika shares her background, originally from Northern California, her passion for agriculture, and her experience as a member of the Arizona State softball team. She discusses her upbringing on a rice and hay farm, her interest in agricultural real estate, and the...

The latest edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers several key topics, starting with the recent arrival of monsoon rains in Arizona. The US Senate has passed the Agricultural Appropriations Act, allocating $27.1 billion for rural communities, farmers, ranchers, and food safety. The USDA's July Cattle Inventory Report shows a 1% decrease in cattle and calf numbers, with the 2025 calf crop...

The Maricopa County Farm Bureau Ag Report thanks attendees of its recent annual meeting and highlights several key updates in the agriculture sector. Important announcements include a new sterile fly facility in Texas, groundwater transfer approvals, and public comment periods for Arizona's Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance program. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole is joined by Katie Aikens, Director of Education at Arizona Farm Bureau, to delve into the topic of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). They define GMOs, differentiate between traditional breeding methods and transgenic organisms, and address common consumer concerns. The episode highlights the rigorous approval process for GMOs, which i...

The latest episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers important updates, including the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announcing the USDA's reorganization to align with its core mission. Key points include workforce alignment, customer focus, reducing bureaucracy, and consolidating support functions. Livestock imports from Mexico are suspended due to a new world screw worm outb...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole Clements talks with Noel Carter, General Manager of the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage Districts, and Stan Barnes, President of Copper State Consulting Group, about water management challenges and developments in Arizona. The conversation delves into the complexities of water policy, including different types of water sources, hist...

This segment of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers significant legislative updates affecting agriculture both federally and locally. A major bill allocating $65.6 billion to agricultural programs has been passed, with a majority of funds directed towards farm safety net enhancements. The USDA has launched disaster assistance for crop losses in 2023-2024. Additionally, Secretary of Agriculture B...