What does sustainability actually look like on a dairy farm? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with Wisconsin dairy farmer Andrea Brossard about what sustainability looks like on a modern dairy farm. Andrea shares how her 500-cow operation balances caring for cows, protecting natural resources, and embracing innovation while producing nutritious dairy foods for consumers.

What We Cover

• Why cow care is the foundation of sustainable dairy farming

• How crop rotation, cover crops, and no-till practices support soil health

• How on farm practices contribute to corporate sustainability goals

• How technology helps farmers make smart data-driven decisions

• The impact of female farmers in shaping the future of agriculture

Whether you're curious about where your milk comes from or interested in the future of food production, this episode explores how dairy farmers are adapting to meet consumer expectations while preparing for the future.

Guest: Andrea Brossard, Third Generation Dairy Farmer and Agricultural Communication Consultant

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Resources:

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Course

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Did you know that one out of every three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with Tamara Horn Potter, PhD, beekeeper extension specialist at Kentucky State University, about the often-forgotten connection between bees, pollinators, and the food on our plates.

What We Cover:

 The challenges facing today's beekeepers, from transporting hives across the country to protecting bee health

 The economic impact of honeybees and native bees on U.S. agriculture

 The environmental issues affecting bees

 The best herbs and plants to attract bees to your garden

 How to match honey varieties with food

 What we need to know about protecting pollinators

Discover how the health of pollinators affects the future of our food—and what each of us can do to help these essential workers thrive.

Guest: Tamara Horn Potter, PhD, Beekeeper Extension Specialist, Kentucky State University

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Resources:

Pollinator.org

KSU Small Scale Farm Grant program

American Beekeeping Federation

In this episode of Rooted and Restless, Marianne Smith Edge sits down with Kentucky farmer and entrepreneur Jim Gilles to discuss the realities of modern farming, direct-to-consumer food sales, and the growing demand for local and regional food systems.

Jim shares how his family's century-long Angus cattle operation evolved from a traditional seedstock business into a thriving direct-to-consumer enterprise, Hillview Meats. We also explore the time and costs required for bringing farm fresh products to farmers’ markets. The conversation evolves into the discussion around the economics and challenges facing the next generation of farmers and the need for agriculture diversification for the future of food.

What We Cover

• What it really takes to prepare for a weekly farmers market

• Why local food often costs more than products sold through large retail chains

• The role of regional food systems in strengthening communities and food security

• The importance of agricultural diversification for economic resilience

• Challenges facing the next generation of farmers, including land access and startup costs

• Why building relationships between consumers and producers is essential for the future of food

This conversation is a reminder that long term planning, countless hours and many faces are behind every farmers market vendor and the food we eat.

Guest: Jim Gilles, 5th Generation Farmer and Owner, Hillview Farms Meats

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