Squabbles of the Soil

Teaching Guide Topic: Controversy Surrounding Fish Farming Host: Jasmin Angel Guests : (1) Steven Hedlund: Global Seafood Alliance and (2) Paul Chiyokten Wagner, founder of the Protectors of the Salish Sea.  Description: Fish farming is the breeding, raising, and harvesting of fish. It is a form of aquaculture and the fastest growing area of animal food production today. As we continue to navigate...

Teaching Guide Topic: Farmland Conversion Host: Hannah Harrell Guests : Dr. Charley Martinez , University of Tennessee Kendrick Curtis and Matt Von Lunen , Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association Description: Farmland conversion has become a rising issue for the agriculture industry in Tennessee in recent years. In the last 20 years, the state of Tennessee has lost over a million acres...

Topic: Grass-fed beef, is it better?  Host: Lexy Halbert Guests : Brad Whited, grass-fed beef cattle farmer, and Seth Granstaff, grain-fed beef cattle farmer. Description: Antibiotic-free, hormone-free, grass-fed only, and pasture-raised… are all terms I am sure each one of you has heard of when it comes to shopping for any kind of meat, milk, or egg produce in the grocery store. While all of thes...

Topic: Coyote Control: Wildlife Hunting Competitions for Population Control Host: Anna Collins Guests : Francisco Santiago-Avila, Science and Ethics Manager of Project Coyote; Barry Cross, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Description: Coyotes are a fixture of the environment in many areas across the United States. They may serve as a threat to pets, livestock, and the ecosystem if populations ar...

Teaching Guide Topic: Factory Farming of Animals  Host: Sara Reese Guests :  Seth Robinson, Robinson Farms and Justin Turner, Turner Farms Description: This podcast will bring a new knowledge to the listeners in which way they will decide on their own whether or not Factory Farming of Animals is good or bad. They will get to listen to both sides of someone who knows more about the topic than I do....

Topic: Development of Urban Agriculture Host: Xander Caywood Guests : Jason Sowell , Lewis Group Architects & University at Buffalo  and Nia Smith , Civic Design Center. Description:   Agriculture is an ever-evolving industry, but does it belong in urban areas? Listen to this Squabbles of the Soil episode about development of Urban Agriculture, where we discuss the pros and cons of bringing ag...

Teaching Guide Topic: Critical Habitat Protection of Hellbender Salamanders Host: Zen Pisani Guests : Trisha Crabill and Brain Segee Listen in to learn more about Hellbenders, the subspecies of Giant Salamanders in North America, and different views as to why the subspecies having a Critical Habitat Designation along with their classifications under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Objectives: I...

Objectives: I can define agritourism in my own words  . I can explain 2 positive and 2 negative consequences of agritourism and having weddings. I can develop my own opinion on if agritourism should include weddings and be agricultural land or if weddings should not be included and be commercial land Pre-Viewing Questions: List 4 things you know about agritourism. What is your current opinion...

   Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3 Topic:  Consumption of Red Meat Host: Tyler Lansford Guests : Charles Hord, Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Vice President /  Ana Currie, Healthcare Professional Red meat is a popular animal product consumed around the world. Products like beef, pork, lamb, goat, and more fall into the category of red meat. It’s such a broa...

Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3 Topic: Artificial Pollination Host: KJ Mills Guests: Jim Murff, Lucas Holman Artificial pollination is the pollination of plants with no insects involved. With bees being our main pollinator in the US, the decline in bee population is terrifying because we will have the issue of finding new ways of pollinating crops on farms. There are several idea...

Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3 Topic: Pesticide Use in Food Crops (Original Conventional versus New Integrated Pest Management Methods) Host: Cincere Douglas Guests: Chelsea Nelan and Sydney Snelling This podcast episode entails the use of pesticides and its effects on the environment, human health, and so much more. The use of pesticides dates back to over half a century. Many...

Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3 Topic: Artificial Insemination in livestock Host: Brailey McFarlin Guests:Grace Powell and Colton Behrendt Artificial insemination in the agriculture industry can be defined as the process of collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female. Artificial insemination can be considered a co...

This podcast dives into a major controversy within the dairy industry: bottle-feeding. We hear from two experts within the dairy industry as they discuss their perspectives on the issue. Brooke Vanderloop of the AVA Group Inc. and Amber Canavan of the PETA organization share their opinions on weaning/bottle-feeding dairy calves and whether or not they view it as a necessity within the dairy indust...

Biofuels are a controversial topic for various economic and environmental reasons. However, they have been used as a substitute for other fuels for over a century. Ethanol was originally burned in alcohol lamps as a source of light. According to Dr. de Koff, the first engines developed by Henry Ford ran on peanut oil and had to be converted to use fossil fuels. Ethanol was added to our gas during...

This podcast of Squabbles of the Soil digs into the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, one of the oldest conservation laws in the United States. Some say that the MBTA is a crucial conservation law that has saved species from the brink of extinction and should not be changed, while others say it essentially handcuffs citizens from protecting their health and severely restricts what they can do to protect...

  Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3 Topic: The Breeding of Doodles Host: Farrayn Arnold Guests : Brooke Dent and Tammy Speakman The Doodle breeds are dogs that are cross bred with a poodle and another dog breed of some sort. Popular Doodle breeds are Aussie Doodles, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles. Designer Doodle’s are very popular right now, but there are some controversies...

Topic: Livestock’s Contribution to Climate Change Host: Kyla Pearson Guests : Dr. Andrew Muhammad and Mr. Charles Hord Objectives: I can define livestock’s contribution to climate change. I can explain 2 positive and 2 negative consequences of livestock’s contribution to climate change I can create my own opinion on controversial agricultural issues. Pre-Viewing Questions: List 4 things you know a...

Organic Farming has gained popularity for its environmental, sustainability, and marketing value. Although there are criticisms, such as increased inputs, decreased yields, and reduced land efficiency. Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of Organic Farming in this podcast.  Teaching Guide Topic: Organic Farming  Host: Angayla Maxwell Guests: Dan and Nadia Spatz (Happy Flavors Farms)...

This topic is about ear cropping in dogs. This controversial topic discusses the various reasons why some might be opposed to ear cropping, like how painful it is for dogs, and why some may support it, like for breed looks. We will have two guests to give us information on the topic.  Topic: Ear Cropping in Canines Host: Leandra Koss Guests: Dr . Vickie Swarowski (Veterinarian in San Diego) &...

This podcast is about grain-free food and the controversial topic of it causing heart disease. There will be 2 guest speakers, one will be opposed and one will be in support of grain-free foods.  Topic: Grain-free Food and Heart Disease Host: Emily Goolsby Guests: Gabrielle Richey and Debbie Clark Objectives: 1. I can identify the amino acid that is unabsorbable/not in grain-free food. ...

Declawing cats is a controversial topic due to people choose to alter their cats ability by removing their nails. Many people can declaw for health issues or to alter their behavior due to scratching and ruining furniture. Some may find other resources than declawing. Follow along to see what the guest today have to say about declawing cats. Teaching Guide Topic: Declawing of Cats Host: Savannah S...

Podcast Teaching Guide Topic: Livestock Showing Host: Lily Steed Guests: Lindsey Nicholas and Kayla Wilson Objectives Animal Safety - Showmanship level Animal Safety - Arena Level Preventative Measures Question for teacher to ask students before podcast: What is livestock showing? How does showing differ from breed to breed? Do you think animals are harmed during livestock showing? Questions for t...

Podcast Teaching Guide Topic: Genetically modified organism Host: Colby Chapman Guests: Jeremiah Lynch and Phil St Objectives Students will understand why the topic is controversial. Students will be able to describe what a GMO is. After being well informed about GMOs, students will able to formulate their own opinion. Question for teacher to ask students before podcast: List every fact you know a...

Teaching Guide – Right to Farm Podcast Topic: Right to Farm Laws Host: Jake Duke Guests: John Duke, Joleana Starnes Objectives I can explain the original purpose of the      Right to Farm Laws. I can list the pros and cons of Right to      Farm Laws. I can create my own Right to Farm Laws      that will be beneficial to the...

Teaching Guide – Veganism Podcast Topic: Veganism Host: Caitlin Faulkner Guests: Stephanie Branim Gerlad Branim Objectives I can understand the pros and cons of      choosing a vegan lifestyle. I can understand the health      benefits of eating on a vegan diet and a non-vegan diet. Question for teacher to ask students before podcast: Do you know r...