Fill Your Plate Now Podcast
Modernizing Dams, Reservoirs & Delivery Systems for Family Farms & The Food System, Episode 75
In this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we welcome back Sam Barncastle of the Family Farm Alliance to dive deep into the urgent need to modernize aging Western water infrastructure that family farms depend on. From 50 to 100+ year-old dams, reservoirs, canals, and conveyance systems to the critical role of both engineered and natural infrastructure (aquifers and watershed management), Sam breaks down exactly what upgrades and new capacity are needed right now for reliable water delivery. We explore:
- The most critical infrastructure projects that could transform reliability for irrigators
- On-farm technology and efficiency upgrades farmers are prioritizing
- How unreliable upstream systems limit what producers can achieve with drip irrigation and precision tools
- The real barriers holding progress back—permitting delays under NEPA, ESA consultations, Clean Water Act processes, endless litigation, and flawed funding structures
- Concrete examples of projects stuck for years and practical ideas coming straight from farmers and water managers
- What smarter, long-term funding and streamlined regulatory reforms would look like
If you care about food security, Western agriculture, and fixing the systems that keep water flowing to family farms, this conversation delivers the clear-eyed analysis and solutions you need. Listen now to learn what’s standing in the way and what it will take to fix it.
From Classroom to Cotton Fields: Multi-Generational Farming & Connecting with Consumers , Episode 74
Join us on Fill Your Plate Now as we sit down with Nancy Caywood, a third-generation farmer at Caywood Farms…
Farm to Carton: Dr. Schack on Her Children’s Book, Connecting Kids to Dairy Farming, Episode 73
Join hosts Tammy Baker and Julie Murphree on Fill Your Plate Now for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Michelle Schack—Arizona…
Raising Kids and Cattle: How One Young Arizona Ranch Couple Manages in Modern Times, Episode 72
Join us on Fill Your Plate Now for an inspiring conversation with Ben and Ashley Menges — a young, hardworking…
Fill Your Plate Securely: Dr. Wolker on Battling the Screwworm Before It Hits Arizona, Episode 71
Join Fill Your Plate Now for a critical conversation with Dr. Ryan Wolker, DVM, Arizona’s State Veterinarian with the Arizona…
Large Animal Vet Life, Dairy Regulations & Consumer Myths: Inside Look with Dr. Runyon, Episode 70
Discover the real story behind dairy cow care with Dr. Kandice Runyon, DVM, Director of Animal Wellbeing at United Dairymen…
360 Days of Sunshine: How the Desert Became America’s Winter Salad Bowl, Episode 69
Discover how Arizona’s incredible climate powers our state’s agriculture. With over 300 days of blazing sunshine, mild desert winters, and…
Life & Legacy on Desperado Dairy, Episode 68
Join us on a captivating journey into the heart of agriculture and dairy farming at Desperado Dairy. In this podcast,…
Award-Winning Chef + Dietitian Jackie Newgent on Making Healthy Food Irresistible, Episode 67
Join us on “Fill Your Plate Now” for an inspiring conversation with Jackie Newgent, RDN — a classically trained chef…
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Three generations of the Caywood family work on their farm in Pinal County. Begun in 1930, the farm is currently a women-owned operation with the…
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Rice has always been one of those foods that seems to divide opinions. Some people swear by it and include it in nearly every meal,…
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