Sharing the Farm Story

In “Sharing the Farm Story”, National Peanut Board co-hosts Lauren Highfill Williams and Ashton Pellom takes listeners on a thrilling ride into the realities of farming, debunking food myths, discussing sustainability, and exploring what keeps farmers passionate about their work.

Featuring insights from Tara Vander Dussen, Randy the Peanut Farmer, and Abram Martens, this episode is a powerful reminder that the food we enjoy every day comes from hardworking individuals who care deeply about their land, crops, and communities.

Social media has made food trends more accessible than ever, but with that accessibility comes a wave of misinformation. Dairy farmer and agricultural advocate Tara Vander Dussen has seen firsthand how viral food influencers can create confusion about what’s actually in our foodand more importantly, how it’s produced.

“Right now, there is a big movement of fear-mongering people around food. You know, you can think of those viral food influencers, kind of standing in the grocery store, holding up a product, shouting at their followers about what they should and shouldn’t be eating. And a lot of times, they get a lot of those farming practices wrong,” said Vander Dussen. 

Tara’s mission? To clear the air. She believes that when consumers understand where their food comes from and how it’s produced, they feel more confident in their choices. Instead of listening to misleading claims, she encourages people to turn to real farmers for answers.

For Tara, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s her way of life. Living just steps from her dairy barn, she shared how her daily routine remains consistent, year-round, to keep her animals healthy and well cared for.

“My backyard is thecows,that’s the maternity pad where cows are giving birth to calves. So very much right on the dairy. I always joke that the water that goes to the cows’ water troughs actually comes out of the same tank that provides me and my children with water,” said Vander Dussen. 

Her story is a testament to the deep connection farmers have with their work, there’s no separation between their livelihood and their personal lives. The commitment to caring for their animals and land is a 24/7 responsibility, not just a job they clock into.

Switching gears to peanut farming, Randy the Peanut Farmer reminded us that agriculture isn’tjust about growing food, it’s about preserving a way of life and inspiring the next generation. But with the average age of farmers creeping higher, there’s growing concern about who will take up the mantle.

“I don’t know if you know, but the average age of a farmer now is on up there, pretty good. A lot of young people look at farming and think, ‘Man, this doesn’t look good.’ Even people that grew up on a farm sometimes decide to go off and do something different,” said Randy. 

But despite the challenges, Randy remains hopeful. He believes social media can play a role in making farming look fun and inspiring future generations to consider agriculture as a career.

“Hopefully, with social media and all that, we make it look fun and enjoyable. And maybe some little Tommy over there pushing a tractor in the dirt will say, ‘Hey, I think I might want to grow peanuts one day’,” said Randy. 

While passion keeps farmers going, sustainability is what will keep agriculture thriving for future generations. Abram Martens, a peanut farmer with a strong focus on soil health and conservation, emphasized the importance of taking care of the land.

“If we don’t take care of our soil, we don’t have a future in farming. It’s as simple as that. The way we manage our land today will determine what opportunities our kids and grandkids have tomorrow,” said Martens.

Abram highlighted the ways peanut farmers are using new technologies and conservation techniques to improve efficiency while reducing their environmental impact.

“Farming today isn’t what it was 50 years ago. We’re constantly evolving, using data, soil sensors, and more efficient irrigation systems. The goal is to grow more with less while keeping the land healthy,”said Martens. 

This episode is a powerful reminder that agriculture is more than just an industry, it’s a deeply personal, passionate, and evolving field. Whether it’s Tara fighting food misinformation, Randy encouraging young people to farm, or Abram leading the charge in sustainability, one thing is clear: farmers are committed to feeding the world while preserving the land for future generations.

So the next time you pick up a jar of peanut butter or pour a glass of milk, remember the stories behind your food. And if you’re curious about how it all comes together, don’t believe everything you see on social media, ask a farmer instead!

Catch the full episode of The Peanut Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts! 🎙🥜