Meet Me At the Table
My goal with this blog is to bring you perspectives from my past, peppered with insights and facts on the future of food, farming and health – providing “food for thought, action and personal responsibility.” As a registered dietitian and a sixth generation farm owner in Kentucky, the connection of farm to plate is part of my DNA. I have spent my career navigating the connections between food, health, agriculture and consumer behavior. Together, we will dig into the complex and ever-changing story of who grows our food, what’s in our food, and how food affects our health and ultimately our lives.
Rockin’ the “Robots” Makes Cows True Bovine Princesses
I’ve never met a dairy farmer that wasn’t passionate about their cows. After all, cow comfort and care are at the top of the list for a successful business. But the dedication required and the 24/7 schedule is a commitment many of us would find hard to maintain. I...
The 4th of July Picnic Price “Pinch”
Headlines say it and grocery bills confirm it: we are paying more for food this year. With the continued supply chain disruptions, inflation and the global effects of the Ukraine war, we will feel the 4th of July picnic price “pinch” this summer. The Price Increases...
Reducing the “HoofPrints” of Dairy — A Commitment to Sustainability
I’ve never met a dairy farmer that lacked passion and commitment about their cows and the quality of the milk produced. From my early days around my grandfather and father on our dairy farm, to today’s producers, the commitment remains the same even as technologies...
Don’t Make Foodborne Illness the “Life of the Party” — Think Food Safety
Long summer days and warm nights are the perfect setting for picnics, road trips, music festivals … and foodborne illness. Why the connection? As the temperatures rise, so do the occasions for serving food outdoors. If basic rules for handing food are not part of the...
Do You Buy Milk Based on Expiration Dates? Get the Scoop on Pasteurization
First of all, there is a reason Louis Pasteur, the French chemist, became famous. Thanks to his 19th Century discovery of a technique known as pasteurization, the public health issues associated with food spoilage and the consumption of raw milk were significantly...
Seeing Beyond the “Castle From My Window” – Is Agritourism the New “Crop” to Preserve the Land?
Travel was never part of my family “DNA” during my childhood. The daily chores of dairy farm life limited any “time off” for my parents, especially my father. But Sunday afternoon drives through the countryside were my father’s “time away” to explore and check out...
Looking Beyond the “Halo” for Personal or Planet Health?
Summer is here! Fire up the grills! With the start of summer holiday picnics and backyard grilling, our search for the best “burger” extends beyond the meat counter. The days of only having a choice between a hot dog, beef burger or a traditional veggie burger are...
Earth Day is Every Day — How Will You Invest in the Planet?
Earth Day is here. It’s been 52 years since the first celebration was initiated by then-Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. His goal? To shed light on the need to protect the environment. Over the years, federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and...
Despite Challenges the Outlook for Eggs Is Bright
This is the time of the year when the “incredible” egg usually gets top billing. There are Easter egg hunts, Easter egg decorating, spring brunches and Sunday dinners featuring eggs in some form or fashion. However, eggs are seeing some undo focus this year as prices...
Ditch the Fear, Not the Facts! Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe
Spring is here! The images of farmers’ markets and planting our own backyard or container gardens dance in our minds with delight … especially for those of us dealing with a long winter. Fruits and vegetables suddenly have a broader appeal when we see those first...