Farmers who are feeling bewildered by the glacial progress of the next farm bill should know they’re not alone. “There are a lot of people who are confused about the process, including me,” AgriTalk host Chip Flory says on the latest episode of Unscripted, a new podcast produced by Farm Journal Studios. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” Part of the problem is the great political divide in Congress, he says, adding, “I remember when it was a very bipartisan effort.”
Unscripted co-hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths admit to sharing Flory’s confusion and frustration, Morgan noting that the discussions on Capitol Hill are “getting ugly. I don’t know what to believe anymore. We’re far from an agreement.”
Moving on to other topics, Flory said he’s much more sure about the best music concert he’s ever attended. Rather than a country artist, as many of his long-time listeners would expect, he chooses Phil Collins. “I’m not a big fan of country music,” he says. “But if it’s old-school country, I’m all in.”
Each week on Unscripted, Morgan and Griffiths bring in fellow Farm Journal hosts and editors to share behind-the-scenes insights on the stories they’ve covered, giving their audience a chance to meet the personalities behind the personalities. The conversations are often surprising, sometimes spicy and always spontaneous.
In the latest episode, after exploring the farm bill, they discuss the stormy spring weather that has made planting difficult in many parts of the country. Despite the weak start to the growing season, the hosts and guest remain optimistic, as Morgan sums up their take with, “Don’t bet against the American farmer.”
A strong evening storm last week interrupted Flory’s efforts to grill pork chops, but chicken wings are his true specialty. And he proved it a couple of weeks ago at Wingfest, an annual competition held in Cascade, Iowa. As part of his son’s cooking team, named Eastern Iowa Taxidermy, he helped win the judge’s choice and the people’s choice awards for best wings. On the podcast, he reveals the secrets of his wing mastery.
From the passing of an ag media icon to art thefts at Taco Bell restaurants to anticipation of strong crop yields despite a stormy spring, this week’s roundup of stories on Unscripted kicks off the holiday weekend in high style.
