Arizona Agriculture Connection with Maricopa County Farm Bureau

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...

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...