Dollars or Sense: Exploring the Economic Case for Sustainability

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Latest Episodes:

Season 2, Episode 1: Introduction to Dollars or Sense Jan 20, 2026

Formerly Agenda 23, this podcast has evolved into Dollars or Sense: Exploring the Economic Case for Sustainability.

In this first episode of the new season, Mackenzie and John introduce their new podcast! The podcast will be exploring whether today’s economic system can truly support a sustainable future, and what would need to change if it can’t.

Episode 11: Food and Farm Policy Agenda for National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Jan 15, 2024

In this episode we speak with Connor Kippe, Policy Specialist at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). We discuss the policy priorities for NSAC and what YOU can do to get involved in the movement for a better food system!

Episode 10: Equity at the USDA and Agroecology in the Rio Grande Valley with Dr. Alexis Racelis Aug 12, 2023

On this episode, we talk with Dr. Alex Racelis, associate professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences and director of Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems Program. We discuss the inaugural Agriculture Subcommittee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Equity Commission, where Racelis is one of 15 appointees. We also discuss the research Racelis conducts, (and Mackenzie who is in Racelis' lab!), which is driven by a better understanding of how agriculture, urban development, invasive species and resource management affects certain ecological processes in the light of pressing social and environmental issues, such as climate change, food and water security, sustainable development, and social justice.

Episode 9: Farm and Food Policies for A Sustainable Future with Mackenzie and John Jan 31, 2023

In this episode, it's a conversation between the two hosts, Mackenzie Feldman and John Ikerd. Mackenzie asks John about his recent research around Farm and Food Policies for A Sustainable Future and how what we can learn from the past for the 2023 Farm Bill.

Episode 8: The groundwork as we near the new Farm Bill with Ricardo Salvador and Anié Henry Oct 18, 2022

We are joined by Anié Henry, food systems futurist and "agvocate", and Ricardo Salvador, senior scientist and director of the Union of Concerned Scientists Food & Environment Program.

Episode 7: The politics of agriculture with Alan Guebert Aug 23, 2022

In this episode, we talk with Alan Guebert, an award-winning agricultural journalist, syndicated columnist of The Food and Farm File, and author of The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey.