Dirt to Dinner: Digging In

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...

This week, we're digging into the upcoming front-of-package labeling requirement to help customers quickly determine how nutritious these food products are. For the full article and more details, read our post: Can a Small Food Label be a Big Deal?   The FDA is proposing simplified black-and-white front-of-package nutrition labels for food products in the U.S., aiming to combat chronic diseases by...

We're looking into the significant problem of food waste, exploring its scale and environmental consequences. By highlighting the recent documentary, "Buy Now!", we're providing practical steps we can take to reduce waste at home, such as meal planning and proper food storage. Furthermore, we examine initiatives undertaken by consumer packaged goods companies to improve sustainability in their sup...

American health has been a topic of conversation since the potential nomination of Robert F. Kennedy as Secretary of HHS, who has put a spotlight on our health. Whether he gets confirmed or not, the question we are asking at D2D is, "What is the definition of health?" In this podcast, we're exploring the multifaceted definition of health, challenging conventional views and emphasizing a holistic a...

Dirt to Dinner's article " Here's How to Combat Winter Illnesses " discusses the unusually high rates of flu, norovirus, and respiratory illnesses during winter 2025. It emphasizes the importance of preventative measures,  specifically proper handwashing and a healthy diet rich in immune-boosting foods like salmon, citrus fruits, and yogurt. The piece also recommends additional strategies such as...

Transcript:   In today's podcast, we talk to Greg Putnam, co-founder, operator, and rancher of Little Belt Cattle Company . This beautiful ranch is a veteran-owned and operated first-generation business dedicated to raising high-quality cattle. The company uses regenerative ranching practices to protect our natural resources and reduce any environmental impact.  Former Navy Seal Greg Putnam talks...

Dirt to Dinner welcomes Colin Murphy, Deputy Director of the Policy Institute for Energy, Environment, and the Economy, and co-director of the ITS-Davis Low Carbon Fuel Policy Research Initiative. He helps guide research and outreach on issues relating to transportation, energy, air quality, and carbon markets, with a primary focus on sustainable fuel policies like California's Low Carbon Fuel Sta...