The Local Beef Podcast

Episode OutlineIntroduction - The school soda fee analogy & overview of checkoff programsCheckoff Basics - How mandatory fees fund famous agricultural marketing campaignsEvolution & Impact - History of checkoff programsThe Money Trail - How funds flow to lobbying groupsLegal Challenges - Supreme Court and the "government speech doctrine"International Comparisons - How other countries structure similar programsTaking Action - Ways consumers can support transparency and farmer choiceKey Organizations & ProgramsCattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research BoardNational Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)Beef Promotion Operating CommitteeOpportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) ActU.S. Dairy Export CouncilFamous Checkoff Campaigns"Beef, It's What's For Dinner""Got Milk?""Pork, The Other White Meat""The Incredible, Edible Egg""Cotton, The Fabric of Our Lives"Key Stats & Facts22 different checkoff programs existBeef checkoff collects $1 per head of cattle soldDairy checkoff charges 15 cents per hundred pounds of milkPork checkoff collects 40 cents per $100 of valueBeef checkoff has collected over $1 billion since 1985Annual beef checkoff revenue: approximately $75 millionDairy checkoff 2021 revenue: $364 millionNotable Court Cases & PoliciesJohanns v. Livestock Marketing Association (2005)Government speech doctrineCotton Research and Promotion Act (1960s)Dairy checkoff establishment (1983)Beef and pork checkoff programs (1985)Information SourcesBeef Checkoff Official WebsiteUSDA Agricultural Marketing Service - Research & Promotion ProgramsJohanns v. Livestock Marketing Association Supreme Court DecisionOrganization for Competitive Markets - Checkoff ReformRanchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF)How to Take ActionLocal Beef Directory - Find producers near youOFF Act Information - Learn more about the billContact Your Representatives about the OFF Act and House RepresentativesDepartment of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Contact The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com

What 'Corn-Fed' Really Means: Beef's Hidden Story from The Omnivore's DilemmaEpisode OutlineIntroduction - "We are corn people" & Pollan's book overviewThe Corn Journey - Industrial corn production in everythingCorn Becomes Beef - Steer #534 and the feedlot systemThe Organic Dilemma - Industrial organic vs. beyond organicThe Hunter-Gatherer - Pollan's personal food journeyThe Small Hinge - New Deal vs. Butz agricultural policiesClosing Thoughts - Creating a better food futureKey Books & PeopleThe Omnivore's Dilemma (Michael Pollan): AmazonMichael Pollan: WebsiteJoel Salatin: Polyface FarmsEarl Butz: WikiW. Clement Stone: WikiKey Stats & FactsHair analysis can determine corn content in human tissues92% of corn planted in America is now GMO"King Corn" documentary showed Americans' diets are 50%+ corn-derivedIndustrial organic companies: Cascadian Farm (General Mills), Earthbound FarmCattle feed often contains: chicken feathers, beef tallow, processed animal proteinsFeedlot cattle typically receive: antibiotics, synthetic estrogen and other growth hormonesCorn's Reach Beyond FoodNon-food products made from corn: ethanol fuel, plastic packaging, diapers, makeup, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, fabric softener, adhesives, crayons, paper products, batteries, matches, carpet, aspirinHow to Reduce Corn in Your DietCommon corn derivatives: high-fructose corn syrup, corn starch, maltodextrin, dextrose, modified food starch, xanthan gum, citric acid, ascorbic acid, MSG, caramel color, baking powder, confectioners' sugar, corn oil, ethanol (in extracts & flavorings), cellulose gum (in jerky & processed meat), sorbitol, mannitol, polydextrose, zein (corn protein), hydrolyzed corn protein (common in jerky), "natural flavors" (often corn-derived)Choose whole, unprocessed foodsLook for USDA Organic (prohibits GMO ingredients)Buy local, grass-fed beef directly from ranchersResourcesThe Hair Detective - UVA Magazine - Article on Prof. Macko's hair analysis researchCorn Allergens ListKing Corn DocumentaryFood, Inc. DocumentaryNew Deal Farm ProgramsDisclaimer I use Anthropic's AI assistant Claude to help with research and editing. However, this podcast always features my authentic voice and perspective - the stories, opinions, and experiences shared are genuinely mine. I am not a medical professional or nutritionist. The information presented is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with qualified health professionals regarding dietary changes or health concerns.Our LinksGet Matched with Local Beef Producers: The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com

Episode OutlineIntroduction - "Get Matched" feature announcement & episode overviewPersonal Connection - Nate's family ranch stories in KimberlyEarly Agricultural Changes (1800s-1920s) - John Deere's plow, refrigerated rail cars, Bennett's soil workDust Bowl Era (1930s-40s) - "Black Sunday," New Deal programs, peak of 6.8 million farmsPost-WWII Transformation (1950s-60s) - Industrial agriculture, "Silent Spring," feedlot expansionEarl Butz Era (1970s) - "Get Big or Get Out," Roundup introduction, Savory's & Berry's alternative visionsModern Developments (1980s-Present) - GMOs, farm decline, COOL labeling repealToday's Crossroads - Industrial vs. regenerative approaches, supporting local farmsKey Books & PeopleSilent Spring (Rachel Carson): AmazonUnsettling of America (Wendell Berry): AmazonHugh Bennett: WikiEarl Butz: WikiRachel Carson: WikiJ.I. Rodale: WikiAllan Savory: WikiWendell Berry: WikiGabe Brown: Understanding AgJoel Salatin: WikiWill Harris: WikiKey Statistics1935: Peak of 6.8 million American farms2022: Decline to 1.9 million farms2022: 3.4 billion pounds of beef importedFarmer suicide rate: 3.5x higher than general populationResources: Rural Health InfoGMO percentages: 94% soybeans, 92% corn, 96% cotton, 99.9% sugar beetsSource: USDA Feed Your MindDisclaimerI use Anthropic's AI assistant Claude to help with research, organization, and editing of this podcast content. However, this podcast will always feature my authentic voice and perspective - I will never use AI-generated voice technology to replace my own narration. The stories, opinions, and experiences shared are genuinely mine, with AI serving only as an editorial tool to help deliver the best content possible to you.Our LinksWebsite: https://www.localbeefpodcast.com The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com

Season 1: The Foundation: Why Local Beef MattersEpisode 3:  My Family's Ranching Roots: The Patrick Campbell Story (1903-1962)In December 2003, Merlyn Robinson published an article which was one of the only publications written about my family and their history in ranching.  I have a copy of this magazine, but the story hasn't been widely shared.This is a big reason for me starting this podcast, it wasn't long ago that the spoken word would only survive a couple generations before it was gone forever.  I think of my grandpa Tom who lived his entre life on the ranch, he was a wonderful story teller, but no books were written about him and very few news articles were written.To view this article and the other resources about the history of farms and ranches, visit our website at www.localbeefpodcast.com/soil. The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com

Season 1: The Foundation: Why Local Beef MattersEpisode 2:  Roundup Ready Nation: Secret Campaign to Promote GMOs in SchoolsDid you know the FDA has a program claiming GMOs are completely safe that they distribute to schools and doctors?In this eye-opening episode, Nate Campbell uncovers the FDA's $7.5 million "Feed Your Mind" program, a government initiative quietly placing pro-GMO materials in America's classrooms. Learn how herbicide-resistant crops dominate our food supply, with 94% of soybeans, 96% of cotton, and 99.9% of sugar beets now GMO varieties.Discover the concerning connections between the corporations controlling our seeds, the chemicals sprayed on our food, and the agencies teaching children about nutrition. From patents that allow companies to sue small farmers to educational materials targeting specific cultural communities, this episode reveals what's being hidden from parents across America.Plus, find out how this directly affects the beef on your table and what you can do to ensure you're feeding your family food that truly Feeds Our Minds.Visit www.localbeefpodcast.com/dirt for complete resources and citations mentioned in this episode.Feed Your Website Domain:Feed Your Mind FDA WebsiteYouTube:Feed Your Mind Playlist The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com

Season 1: The Foundation: Why Local Beef MattersEpisode 1:  Why I Left My Six-Figure Career To Start A RanchA Ted Talk changed my life. No, seriously. One random evening after work, my wife Julie showed me a video that made me question everything about our comfortable city life. Within months, I'd walked away from my six-figure career, moved our young daughters into a camper, and bought 160 acres in Eastern Oregon. What followed was a wild journey through regenerative ranching, startup failures, and ultimately finding my true purpose. From earwigs in our drinks to hosting 600 people for a solar eclipse to losing, crashing and burning our beef business - this is the messy story of how spreadsheets led to sprinklers, and how failure led to finding my way.  Discover more at www.localbeefpodcast.comYouTube ~Allen Savory's Ted TalkBooks ~Grass Productivity by Andre VoisinHow To Not Go Broke Ranching by Walt DavisHolistic Management by Allan Savory with Jody ButterfieldFarm Marketing From The Heart by Charlotte SmithSalad Bar Beef by Joel Salatin The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com

American beef isn't what it seems. Join former rancher Nate Campbell as he exposes Big Food's secrets and introduces you to local farmers and ranchers across America.Learn why beef imports, GMO feed, and misleading labels are threatening our food independence while discovering how to support real American farms and ranches. This podcast reveals the truth about where beef comes from and why it matters.  The Local Beef Podcast shares revenue with featured farms and ranches. Learn more and discover local producers at https://www.localbeefpodcast.com