Arizona Agriculture Connection with Maricopa County Farm Bureau

In this special live edition of the Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole interviews Sine Kerr, former senator and current executive director of the Farm Service Agency, at the Summer Leadership Conference. Kerr shares her journey from falling in love with agriculture as a child in Buckeye to marrying a dairy farmer and building a successful farm and family. She emphasizes the importance of advoc...

This week's edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers several key updates. The Arizona legislature has adjourned, and Governor Hobbs signed the SB 1611 AG to Urban Bill, which will take effect on September 26, 2025. On the federal level, President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' narrowly passed the House and was signed into law on the 4th of July. The Arizona Farm Bureau has new resour...

In this edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection, it is announced that the Arizona legislature has passed a bipartisan budget for fiscal year 2026. Key components include funding for water security, the Yuma Center for Excellence in Desert Agriculture, and wildfire management. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks feedback on New World Screwworm Management through virtual le...

In this episode, Nicole from Arizona Agriculture Connection chats with Lauren Pena, a registered dietitian with the Dairy Council of Arizona, about dairy’s role in nutrition. They discuss Lauren’s unique path to dietetics, the benefits of dairy in managing chronic health issues, how to choose the right milk, and its impact on kids’ cognitive development. The conversation also highlights a milk don...

This edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers the state's budget discussions with the House and Senate proposals including significant allocations for agricultural and water conservation efforts. Highlights include funding for the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Arizona Cooperative Extension, and the Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center. The Arizona Department of...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole Clements interviews Brandon Clark from United Dairymen of Arizona to discuss sustainability in the dairy industry. Brandon shares his background, growing up in Arizona and transitioning from a career at Boeing to his current role focused on sustainability. The conversation covers various aspects of sustainability, including water and energy...

This edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection covers various important topics, including the state legislature's budget negotiations and the proposed $17.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 by Governor Hobbs. A key focus is the funding for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, which is crucial for rural and agricultural communities. The script also highlights a request for pu...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, the conversation delves into the importance of beef, its nutritional benefits, and the initiatives by the Arizona and Iowa Beef Councils. The hosts speak with Tiffany from the Arizona Beef Council and Erin, a registered dietitian with Iowa Beef. They discuss the impact of beef in diets, the various cuts available, and touch on topics like grass-fe...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, we discuss the latest legislative updates, including ongoing budget negotiations and the impending expiration of Proposition 123. We also cover federal news with the USDA's suspension of live cattle, horses, and bison imports from Mexico due to screw worm concerns, and highlight funding opportunities through the USDA's local agriculture market pro...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole interviews Shawn Wood, the Chair of the Arizona State Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee. Shawn shares her background growing up on a farm in Buckeye, Arizona, her initial aspiration to become a commercial pilot, and her eventual return to her agricultural roots. She discusses the significant challenges and leadership roles she has un...

This episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection brings updates and announcements relevant to Arizona's agricultural community, including weather updates, federal appointments, and various grant opportunities. It features news on the appointment of Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture and Sine Kerr as Arizona's new FSA Director. The episode also covers upcoming events like the Maricopa County...

In this 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 those wi...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, the host highlights upcoming summer events and policy development meetings in June. The governor has halted new legislation until a solution for funding the Developmental Disabilities Program is agreed upon, leading to an extended legislative session. Five rural water bills were vetoed by the governor. The USDA's Emergency Commodity Assistance pro...

In this edition of the Arizona Agriculture Connection, catch up on the results from the Maricopa County Fairy Communication Contest. In addition, legislative sessions are ongoing with a focus on budget negotiations and stakeholder meetings for SB 1611 on Ag to Urban and SB 1520 on groundwater management. Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Brierley awaits a full Senate vote for their confir...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, host Nicole interviews Danny Munch, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation. Danny shares his background and journey to becoming an economist, detailing his northern upbringing and experience in agriculture. The conversation touches on various pressing issues, including the delayed 2018 Farm Bill, challenges faced by farmers due to out...

In this week's edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection with Maricopa County Farm Bureau, recent and upcoming events are highlighted, including the annual Farm City breakfast and the Women's Leadership Committee meetup. Key legislative topics discussed include groundwater rights, OHV regulation, and autonomous tractors, with specific bills such as SB 1520, SB 1517, and SB 1320 sponsored by Senato...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, host Nicole Clements interviews Chad Smith, the Director of Government Relations for Arizona Farm Bureau. Chad shares his unique journey from hotel management to agriculture advocacy. The discussion covers the Farm Bill's structure, its importance to various sectors, including nutrition and rural economies, and the critical need for a new, moderni...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole interviews James O'Neill, Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC). They discuss the critical role of the immigration workforce in agriculture, the challenges posed by high regulatory demands, and the high percentage of undocumented labor in the sector. James offers insight into ABIC's mission t...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, host Nicole Clements shares a conversation with Krysta Paffrath, a Young Farmer and Rancher Member from Maricopa County, about their experience at the American Farm Bureau Fusion Conference in Denver, Colorado. The Fusion Conference combines the efforts of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, Women's Leadership Committee, and Promotion and En...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Katie Aikins, Director of Education for Arizona Farm Bureau, discusses the complexities and history of food labeling. Katie shares her agricultural background and emphasizes the importance of accurate food labeling while acknowledging common misconceptions. The conversation highlights different types of labels like organic, grass-fed, gluten-free,...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole discusses the recent efforts of stakeholder groups to support legislative bills in Maricopa County concerning water and OHV regulation. Key bills include House Bill 2572 and Senate Bill 1520 and 1517. The episode also highlights community activities by the Maricopa County Farm Bureau, including a Women's Leadership Committee meeting, a succ...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole Clements interviews Michelle Miller aka the Farm Babe, who shares her unique journey from working in the fashion industry to becoming a prominent advocate for agriculture. Michelle discusses her efforts in debunking agricultural myths, the importance of transparency and storytelling in farming, and strategies for effectively engaging consum...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, host Nicole Clements interviews Eric Wilkey, President of Arizona Grain, about the impact of tariffs and exports on agriculture and consumers. Eric details his background in commodity markets and the challenges he faced in farming. He explains the critical importance of export markets in absorbing supply, price discovery, and maintaining stable ag...

In this week's Maricopa County Farm Bureau Ag Report, several key events and updates were highlighted. January was a busy month with Ag Fest, the American Farm Bureau Convention, and the Arizona FFA Foundation's Blue and Gold Gala, which raised $513,949 to support FFA students and programs. The upcoming legislative session will see significant efforts on rural water policy with new bills introduce...

In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, host Nicole Clements interviews Dr. Michelle Schack, also known as Dairy Doc online, to discuss her journey to becoming a large animal dairy vet in Arizona, her work with dairy farms, and the detailed care and management practices that ensure the well-being of dairy cows. The conversation also addresses common consumer concerns about dairy product...