Discover the real story behind dairy cow care with Dr. Kandice Runyon, DVM, Director of Animal Wellbeing at United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA). In this insightful episode of Fill Your Plate Now, the Ontario Veterinary College graduate and experienced dairy production medicine specialist shares her journey from growing up around Canadian family farms to international training in New Zealand, New Mexico, Israel, and Wisconsin. Dr. Runyon discusses the rewards and challenges of life as a large-animal veterinarian, a typical day on the job, and an unexpected moment while checking a cow's health. She addresses common misconceptions about dairy farming and farm animal welfare, explains key regulations and programs that ensure high standards of care, and details how dairies train workers to properly care for their animals. Learn fascinating facts about dairy cows: their unique biology, what they eat, how they convert feed into milk, and how their nutritional needs change throughout life. Dr. Runyon also highlights the three most important things every consumer should know about modern dairies and dairy cows. Whether you're a consumer, farmer, or simply curious about where your milk comes from, this episode provides transparent, expert-backed insights into bovine health, sustainable dairy practices, and animal wellbeing in today's dairy industry.

Resources for Dr. Kandice Runyon, DVM | Director of Animal Wellbeing

United Dairymen of Arizona Website | UDA Leadership Web Page

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Discover how Arizona's incredible climate powers our state's agriculture. With over 300 days of blazing sunshine, mild desert winters, and diverse microclimates, the Grand Canyon State grows fresh vegetables when the rest of the country is frozen. From Yuma — the Winter Lettuce Capital of the World — supplying 90-100% of U.S. leafy greens in peak winter months, to robust harvests of dates, pecans, melons, and cotton, Arizona farmers turn sunshine and smart irrigation into a $31 billion economic powerhouse. In this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we explore the "golden gift" of Arizona's solar abundance, record-breaking truckloads of fresh produce feeding the nation, and the innovation making desert farming a model for climate-resilient food production. Tune in to see how Arizona fills America's plates — every single day of the year.

Resources for Julie Mirphree, Strategic Communications Director at the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation

Julie Murphree LinkedIn | Arizona Farm Bureau

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website |

Resources for Casey and Andrea Dugan | Desperado Dairy

United Dairymen of Arizona Website | Instagram

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Join us on "Fill Your Plate Now" for an inspiring conversation with Jackie Newgent, RDN — a classically trained chef and registered dietitian who beautifully unites professional cooking with cutting-edge nutritional science. As the author of multiple award-winning cookbooks, a contributor to Health.com, and former chef instructor at New York City's Institute of Culinary Education, Jackie brings unmatched expertise to the table. Now based in Los Angeles, she teaches at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica, serves as a nutrition coach for My Peak Challenge, develops recipes for major food brands, and advises organizations including Forbes Health and The Non-UPF Program. A former national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Jackie is a trusted voice on how to make plant-forward eating both delicious and sustainable. In this episode, Jackie shares practical strategies for bridging flavor and nutrition, her insights on real-world healthy cooking, and how we can rethink food, health, and sustainability — all while keeping meals exciting and satisfying. Whether you're a home cook, health enthusiast, or simply want to eat better without sacrificing taste, this conversation will leave your plate (and your mind) fuller than ever. Tune in and fill your plate now!

Resources for Jackie Newgent, Award-Winning Chef & Registered Dietitian | Author

Jackie Newgent's Website | The Gourmandise School Site | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

Join us for a delightful and inspiring episode of Fill Your Plate Now with 9-year-old Carey Dobson and his mom, Alex, a Northern Arizona ranching family with deep roots in Arizona agriculture. In this entertaining interview, young 4-H member Carey shares his favorite (and least favorite!) ranch chores, a hilarious calf escape story, and how he bravely wrote and delivered his own speech to win the Treasurer position in just his second 4-H meeting. Mom Alex opens up about how they approach chores and character-building with their young children, while Carey talks about his trip to the American Farm Bureau National Convention, his love for steak, what bravery means to him, and whether he dreams of continuing the ranching tradition. This episode is full of laughs, heartfelt moments, and real-life lessons on courage, responsibility, and growing up on a ranch. Whether you're a farm family, 4-H supporter, or just love hearing from the next generation of agriculturalists, Carey's energy and wisdom will fill your plate and warm your heart! This episode is perfect for families, educators, and anyone who believes in raising kids with grit and joy.

Resources for Alex Dobson & Son, Carey | Arizona Farm Bureau's Young Farmer & Rancher Family

Dobson Family Facebook | Dobson 1886 Instagram

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

We sit down with Sierra Anthony — meat scientist, owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC, and a force of nature in the meat industry. Growing up on a grain and cow-calf farm in rural Ohio, Sierra discovered her passion for meat science in college and never looked back. She's coached collegiate meat judging teams, earned her master's researching innovative carcass fabrication, and now travels the country with her unique in-house butcher training program that helps small and mid-sized processors build skilled labor without sending teams away for weeks. Sierra shares her "aha" moment in meat science, the biggest skill gaps she sees in today's processing workforce, and the simple butchery and aging techniques that dramatically improve taste and texture.

As an adult-onset hunter (Adult discovery for the love of hunting) and competitive athlete, she delivers hard-earned field-to-table advice, favorite underutilized cuts home cooks should try, and straight talk on red meat in a healthy diet. We also dive into what separates good butchers from truly great ones, how proper training strengthens local food systems, consumer demand for transparency and a celebration of farming and ranching, and what it means to be a woman leading in a traditionally male-dominated field (including her recent COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 recognition and competing in the 2025 World Butcher Challenge in Paris).

Whether you buy meat, raise it, process it, or just love eating it, this conversation delivers practical, inspiring insights on how skilled butchery bridges producers, processors, and consumers — creating more sustainable systems and higher-quality protein on American plates. We also celebrate Anthony as Arizona Farm Bureau's keynote speaker during our Summer Agricultural Conference this coming July!

Resources for Sierra Anthony, Meat, Beef, and Butchery Enthusiast | Owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC

Butcher Solutions Website | Butcher Solutions Instagram | Sierra Anthony's LinkedIn

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

In this inspiring episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we welcome Jerry Brown, Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's Food Bank. With 17 years at the organization, and more than 20 years prior as a respected Valley sportswriter covering the Suns, Coyotes, and Diamondbacks, Jerry brings a unique perspective to the fight against hunger. Our farm gate to your plate focus, dives deep into the importance of making food available to those with limited resources. Discover the remarkable story of St. Mary's Food Bank—the very first food bank established in the United States. Today, it stands as one of the largest food banks in the world, proudly serving millions of meals each year across Arizona and beyond. Recognized as a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator, one of America's Top 100 Charities by Forbes, and the Largest Phoenix-Area Nonprofit Organization for Service Assistance according to the Phoenix Business Journal, St. Mary's continues to lead with compassion and impact. Join us for an engaging conversation about the power of community, the evolution of hunger relief, and how one organization's mission continues to fill plates and change lives across the Valley and the nation. Whether you're passionate about local impact or simply want to learn how you can help, this episode will leave you inspired.

Resources for Jerry Brown | Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's Food Bank

St. Mary's Food Bank Website | Jerry Brown's LinkedIn.

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau

On today's episode, we're joined by Dr. Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council. Dr. Ricklefs-Johnson leads research initiatives focused on childhood health, precision nutrition, and women's health—helping shape the science behind dairy's role in overall wellness. In this conversation, she breaks down the latest research and, more importantly, translates the science into practical, real-life solutions you can apply to everyday nutrition and health decisions. A registered dietitian with a PhD in nutritional sciences, Dr. Ricklefs-Johnson brings a strong academic foundation and is actively involved in leading organizations like the American Society for Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Today, she joins us to share how evolving nutrition science is shaping personalized health—and what it means for you at the table.

Resources for Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, PhD, RDN | Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council

National Dairy Council | LinkedIn

Additional Resources

Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau