Ag Talk with UDAF

All About Grants May 21, 2024

Finding the right grant for your farm or food business can be tricky and it can be hard to know where to look. This is why the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has added the Grants Specialist position.

Learn more about how the UDAF grants specialist, Allison Ross, can help you in your grant finding journey as well as learn about some of the grants available to you through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food in this final episode of season 1.

Guests on this episode are Marketing and Economic Development Director, Caroline Hargraves, and Grant Specialist, Allison Ross.

We will be back in August 2024 with Season 2 of Ag Talk with UDAF!

UDAF Grants Page

Aquaculture in Agriculture May 06, 2024

Did you know agriculture also includes fish farming? The UDAF Aquaculture program oversees certain fish farms and hatcheries used for fishing purposes. Join us on this episode to learn more about the purpose of the Aquaculture program with program manager, Xavier Matheson.

Contact Xavier Matheson at xmatheson@utah.gov

Learn more about the Aquaculture Program

What's the Deal with Weights and Measures? Apr 22, 2024

Did you know that Utah's department of agriculture and food is the home to the Weights and Measures program? In this episode, we are learning all about weights and measures, what is has to do with agriculture, and how it serves the people of Utah.

Tune in to learn more about this interesting program from program manager, Miland Kofford, and state metrologist, Bill Rigby.

More about Weights and Measures

UDAF's Role in Food Safety Apr 08, 2024

Ensuring food safety in Utah is one of main roles for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). On today's episode, we get to meet with members of our regulatory team whos jobs are to oversee food safety programs and inspections throughout the state. Tune in to learn more about how these teams work to ensure the food you are buying is safe to eat and also better understand requirements for food businesses in Utah.

Guests on this episode are Travis Waller, Regulatory Division Director, Talisha Bacon, Utah Rapid Response Team and Food Recall Program Manager, and Cole Dalton, Retail Food Program Manager.

Information on Utah Food Safety

Information on how to start a Food Business

FDA Website for Food Recalls

What is an Animal Disaster Plan? Mar 25, 2024

Planning for disaster is important for all, even the animals who will also be affected by those disasters. This is why Dr. Amanda Price and others at the Utah Department of Agriculture to help develop animal disaster plans. Having a plan in place and being prepared can help save the lives of animals and help first responders better respond to disasters.

Join us on this episode to learn more about animal disaster plans and how you can better prepare yourself and your animals for a disaster response.

Learn more about Animal Disaster Plans

2024 Post Legislative Session Review Mar 11, 2024

The 2024 Utah Legislative Session has officially come to an end with lots of wins for Utah agriulture! Join the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food legislative team to get a review of the 2024 legislative session and to talk about new law changes coming and the wins that came from this year's session.

Joining us on this episode is Commissioner Craig Buttars, Deputy Commissioner Kelly Pehrson, and Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Amber Brown.

To listen to the 2024 Legislative Preview Episode to get an inside look at how the legilsative session works!

Exploring the Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program Feb 19, 2024

The Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program, or commonly referred to as the Ag VIP program, is an important program that helps farmers and ranchers create nutrient management plans to help them better utilize these nutrients, while also protecting the safety of our natural resources, such as water sources.

Join Conservation Division Director, Jim Bowcutt, and the Ag VIP program manager, Katie Slebodnik as they teach us about this program, how it helps farmers and the environment, and how to participate in the program.

Ag VIP Program Page

BONUS EPISODE: The Pollinator Program Feb 12, 2024

Pollinators play a vital role in our environment and agriculture production, which is why it is important to protect them. In this Bonus episode, learn more about the pollinator program and how it helps create habitats for these important insects throughout the state of Utah from UDAF conservation director, Jim Bowcutt and Mindy Wheeler with USU, who helps run the program.

Learn more about the Pollinator Habitat Program

What are Hemp Cannabinoid Products? Feb 05, 2024

What are Hemp Cannabinoid products and how do they differ from Medical Cannabis products? Join us on this episode of Ag Talk as we discuss hemp cannabinoid products, what they are, how they are regulated, and what products are available for use in Utah.

Returning guests on this episode are Dr. Brandon Forsyth, Director of Medical Cannabis and Hemp, and Cody James, Deputy Director of Medical Cannabis and Hemp.

More information on Hemp Cannabinoid Products

If you are interested in having Brandon and Cody see your hemp facility and would like to contact them, email agriculture@utah.gov

BONUS EPISODE: The Soil Health In the West Conference Jan 29, 2024

The 2nd Biannual Soil Health in the West Conference will be held February 6-8, 2024 in St. George Utah. Tune into this bonus episode to learn more about this conference and the important information farmers and ranchers can learn from soil health experts.

Episode guests: Tony Richards, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Soil Health Program Manager, & Braden McMurdie, member of the Utah Soil Health Committee.

Learn more about the Soil Health in the West Conference

2024 Utah Legislature Session Preview Jan 22, 2024

The Utah Legislative session is here! As one of the busiest times of the year for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food starts, this legislative preview episode gives listeners an inside look of the department's role during the legislative session, what bills the department is watching, and how the legislative process works.

Guests on this episode are Commissioner Craig Buttars, Deputy Commissioner Kelly Pehrson, and Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Amber Brown.

Utah Legislature Website

Preserving Agriculture Land: The LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund Jan 08, 2024

For years, Utah's prime agricultural lands have been disapearing. This is detramental not only to our local food security and agricultural industry, but also disheartening to those who have farmed and cared for those lands for many generations.

The LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund was created to help preserve agriculture land in Utah by creating conservation easements that allow farming families to keep in business, while preserving the beautiful open space that so many love and enjoy in Utah.

Join Jim Bowcutt and Jeremy Christensen in this episode to learn more about the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch fund, how it is helping Utah, and how you can be involved.

Learn more at ag.utah.gov/leray-mcallister-working-farm-and-ranch-fund/

Utah's Predator Control Program Dec 26, 2023

The predator control program at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food works to prevent livestock depredation by providing mitigation and population control of Utah's predators. In this episode, hear from UDAF's Animal Industry Director, Leann Hunting, and the Predator Control program manager, Cole Selman, on how they help Utah's agriculture community by managing the population of coyotes, mountain lions and more.

More Information

Understanding Utah's Medical Cannabis Program Dec 11, 2023

What do you know about Utah's Medical Cannabis program? Being one of Utah's newer programs, there is a lot that my be unknown. On this episode, we will be joined by UDAF's director of medical cannabis, Dr. Brandon Forsyth and the medical cannabis program manager, Cody James to help us better understand the purpose of the program and the role that the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food plays in the regulation of cultivators and distributors.

Importation of Christmas Trees and Firewood Nov 27, 2023

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is important for Utah's citizens to understand the regulations around Christmas Tree and firewood importation.

In the short and sweet episode, we will learn from UDAF Plant Industry Division Director, Rob Hougaard and State Entomologist, Kris Watson to discuss why there are regulation on the importation of firewood and Christmas trees and what consumers should be aware of.

Episode Resources:

Don't Move Firewood

Utah Insect and Pest Program

Utah Nursery Program

The Agriculture Stress Assistance Program Nov 13, 2023

Nation-wide, farmers and ranchers are two times more likely to die by suicide than other demographic. This can be brought on by day to day stresses of farming and ranching, dealing with an unpridictable mother nature, crop or animal loss, strenuous work schedules, financial stresses, and the preasure of keeping multi-generational farms in operation for future generations.

For this reason, Utah State University Extension along with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food have partnered to bring Utah's agricultural and rural communities the Agriculture Stress Assistance Program. Tune into this episode to learn more about the program and how it is helping Utahn's or how it could help you and your family.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and are in need of assistance, please utilize the resources linked below to help you on your mental wellness journey. If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of self harm, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

https://ag.utah.gov/asap/

https://extension.usu.edu/agwellness/

Why Does Agriculture Water Use Matter? Oct 30, 2023

As a wrap up to our discussions about agriculture water use, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture, Craig Buttars, joins us on the show to provide us with his insights and information about agriculture water use. Commissioner Buttars has many years of experience in both agricutulre as well as public policy and share the knowlege he has with us.

The Truth About Alflafa Oct 09, 2023

When it comes to the discussion about water conservation, much of the focus and often blame has been placed on one crop; alfalfa. Jokingly referred to as the A word, alfalfa is one of most commonly grown crops in the state of Utah and one of the most missunderstood. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Yost, Associate Department Head and Professor of Plant, Soils, and Climate at Utat State University. Dr. Yost helps us better understand alfalfa, why its grown in Utah, and whether or not it is a net benefit.

For more information on the discussion points in this episode, refer to Ten Reasons Alfalfa is Highly Suitable For the West.

Agriculture Water and Its Affects on Soil Health and the Environment Sep 25, 2023

Soil health is a key component to protecting our enviroment and food supply. Agriculture water use and farming play a key role in protecting Utah's soils. Joining us on this episode is UDAF Soil Health Program Manager, Tony Richards, to help explain the importance of agriculture water use and what Utah's farmers and ranchers are doing to improve the soil health in Utah.

For more information about the Soil Health Program, visit their website.

Understanding Utah Water Rights Sep 11, 2023

Understanding Utah's water rights system and laws is imperative to understanding the larger water conversation. State Water Engineer, Teresa Wilhelmsen, joins us on this episode to help educate us on water law and water rights and how that affects water distribution in Utah.

Agricultural Water Optimization Aug 28, 2023

Utah's farmers and ranchers are working hard to be part of the solution to save and protect Utah's water. Learn more about the Agricultural Water Optimization program provided by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) and how Utah's farmers and ranchers are saving water. Joining us on this episode is UDAF Conservation Division Director, Jim Bowcutt, and Agricultural Water Optimization Program Manager, Hannah Freeze.

Understanding Agricultural Water Use Aug 14, 2023

Agriculture water use has been a highly debated topic in Utah as well as other Western states that have been struggling with drought over the last several years. In this episode, we will take a deep dive into this topic to better understand how agriculture water use works, what the issues are surrounding the topic, and what agriculture can do to help with water savings. Joining us on this episode is Warren Peterson, former law attorney and current expert on agriculture water. Spoiler: things may not be as black and white as they have been portrayed.

Introducing AG Talk! Aug 10, 2023

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is excited to bring you a new podcast, AgTalk!

Do you know where your food comes from or where it’s grown? Do we understand what our fellow Utahns who work in agriculture deal with on a daily basis? Agriculture is often talked about in the media and by government officials and state leaders, but do we truly understand what is happening in this industry and the rural communities that rely on agriculture? AgTalk will explore different agricultural topics by having conversations with experts to discuss tough issues such as water use. We will also take a look at programs and resources available for Utah’s farmers and ranchers, and give our listeners an inside scoop on how their food is grown.

Join me, Bailee Woolstenhulme, every other week to sit in on these real conversations and better understand the amazing things Utah’s farmers and ranchers are doing, new technologies that are being developed, and how the agriculture industry is making advancements in areas important to all of Utah. You won’t want to miss the first several episodes, as we will be talking with experts to take a deep dive into the issue of agriculture water use. These conversations will help the listeners get a better understanding of how agriculture water use works, what the pros and cons are, and is the issue truly as black and white as it is made out to be. Join us August 14th for the first episode of AgTalk!

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