Arizona Agriculture Connection with Maricopa County Farm Bureau

Maricopa County Farm Bureau
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  • Updated Weekly

Maricopa County Farm Bureau is the voice of agriculture in a community that thrives on the dichotomy of urban and rural agriculture operations. This podcast is a home for farmers, ranchers, food lovers, prospective agriculturalists, and those who are interested in where their food comes from! Learn more at https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/

  1. 5d ago

    June Ag Report: New World Screw Worm in Confirmed in Texas, Legislative Updates and More!

    This week, we are back from a DC trip with federal, state, and Farm Bureau updates. The USDA confirmed the first US detection of New World screwworm in nearly 60 years in South Texas on June 3, 2026, with additional cases in Zavala, La Salle, and Gillespie Counties, Texas, and Lee County, New Mexico; there are currently zero cases in Arizona. Containment depends on rapid producer detection and reporting, daily animal inspection, weekly-checked fly traps, and certificates of veterinary inspection for out-of-state livestock entering Arizona. The Arizona Department of Agriculture has run response simulations and advocated for long-term federal assets including a sterile fly facility in Douglas, while an amendment by Rep. Gosar to H.R. 8646 would add inspection resources at ports of entry. The legislature returned June 1, budget bills were introduced June 9, and Farm Bureau announced policy development meetings June 15, 18, and 19. Learn more and get involved at https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/

    5 min

  2. Jun 4

    International Year of the Woman Farmer with Ale Aguirre: From Chile to Virginia

    Live from Washington, DC, at the American Farm Bureau ACE Conference, during the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Nicole interviews Chilean farmer and Virginia Tech researcher Ale Aguirre. Aguirre shares her background running a family farm in Coyanco, Chile, previously exporting organic blueberries and hydrangeas worldwide and now focused on alfalfa for local livestock. She is completing a master’s in forestry and natural resource economics while researching the South Native Seed Project, which aims to help historically underserved, veteran, and beginner farmers in southern Virginia diversify into native seed production to meet restoration demand under solar developments; her thesis analyzes financial feasibility and adoption economics. She discusses mentorship from her mother-in-law, women’s roles in farming and hand-harvesting blueberries, labor shortages, differences between Chile and U.S. agriculture, and her goal of bridging research to practical benefits for producers. 00:00 Live From DC 00:26 Meet Ale Aguirre 00:54 Farming In Chile 02:34 Virginia Tech Research 05:09 Bringing It Home 06:56 Accidental Farm Life 11:31 Mentorship And Respect 13:48 Research For Farmers 16:45 Blueberries By Hand 19:54 Alfalfa And Differences 23:02 Women In Agriculture

    30 min

  3. May 27

    Listener Favorite Re-Run: Leadership in Agriculture with Shawn Wood

    In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole interviews Shawn Wood, First Vice President of Arizona State Farm Bureau. Shawn shares her background growing up on a farm in Buckeye, Arizona, her initial aspiration to become a commercial pilot, and her eventual return to her agricultural roots. She discusses the significant challenges and leadership roles she has undertaken within the agricultural community, emphasizing the importance of saying yes to opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and surrounding oneself with influential mentors. The conversation also highlights the upcoming Summer Leadership Conference hosted by the Women's Leadership Committee, detailing the event's agenda and its importance for Arizona's agricultural industry.

    44 min

  4. May 20

    Celebrating International Year of the Woman Farmer with Sherry Saylor

    Today, Nicole interviews Sherry Saylor on Arizona Agriculture Connection from Saylor’s office at Buckeye Elementary, where she is retiring after 40 years as a school counselor. Saylor recounts moving from South Carolina to Buckeye in 1974 after her father-in-law sold a Phoenix-area farm due to urban encroachment, and how Farm Bureau helped her learn agriculture and find her role as a spokesperson while her husband Rick, focused on farming. She describes her progression through Farm Bureau leadership to national chair, the importance of preparation and the DC communications “boot camp,” and encouraging women to find their voice. The conversation covers blending agriculture education into schools, building community through Farm Bureau membership and participation, advocating with elected officials, ongoing challenges like water and development, and agriculture’s technological advances and career opportunities. Learn more about opportunities of getting involved with Farm Bureau here: https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/ 00:48 Counselor Life And Retirement02:26 From South Carolina To Farming06:19 Finding A Place In Ag08:13 Farm Bureau Leadership Path12:37 Confidence Through Boot Camp18:28 Ag Education In Schools24:15 Building Community In Ag28:05 Why Farm Bureau Opportunities Matter28:59 Farm Bureau Roots30:39 Advocacy Makes Impact31:35 Get Off the Tractor33:38 Urban Encroachment Reality35:00 Arizona Ag Advantages37:57 Tech and Adaptability40:00 Careers Beyond Farming43:17 Community and Gratitude

    48 min

  5. May 13

    Mid-May Ag Report: What you Need to Know on Legislative Update, Events, and Agriculture News

    The Mid-May Ag Report covers Arizona Capitol updates as the House passed a state budget package 33–22 and the Senate approved it, but Governor Hobbs vetoed the 16-bill package, sending it back to negotiations; with her bill moratorium still in place, non-budget bills are largely on hold as lawmakers return June 1 and aim to pass a budget before the June 30 deadline to avoid a shutdown. The 2026 session opened with over 2,100 bills introduced, with Hobbs signing 32 and vetoing 45 so far. Federally, the House passed the farm bill and attention turns to the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup expected later this month or early June. Locally, Maricopa County fire season is active with the Hazen Fire at 1,191 acres (87% contained) and the Jones Fire at 84 acres (0% contained), with travel cautions and official update sources provided. The Maricopa County Farm Bureau announces policy development meetings June 15 (Scottsdale), June 18 (virtual), and June 19 (Buckeye). 00:00 Capitol Budget Veto01:11 Session Bill Tracker01:38 Federal Farm Bill Update02:00 Maricopa Fire Season03:11 Policy Meetings Invite04:03 Weekly Wrap Up

    5 min

  6. Apr 29

    Policy Development Update and Advocacy in Arizona Agriculture

    This week, Nicole dives into an update on state and federal policy and encourages participation in Farm Bureau advocacy. She notes that the Arizona legislative session is past 100 days, with attention on budget negotiations as bill movement slows under a governor’s signing moratorium. Federally, the Farm Food and National Security Act of 2026 (Farm Bill 2.0) is being heard in the U.S. House, and viewers are urged to use a call-to-action link on maricopa county fb.org to contact representatives. The segment explains Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy development process: issues begin at the county level, advisory committee meetings were held this week across six priority-topic committees, Maricopa County policy development meetings occur in June, proposals are voted on at the county annual meeting in August, and passed items move to the state level. Get involved at https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/.

    4 min

  7. Apr 22

    Ag Report: Katie Hobbs Bill Moratorium, County Fair Recap & Upcoming Events

    In this episode of Arizona Agriculture Connection, Nicole reports that state legislative activity has slowed after Governor Hobbs announced a moratorium on signing bills until the legislature sends her its budget, vetoing measures that arrived afterward. Lawmakers are working on their budget while the finance advisory committee revised April state finance projections from $577 million to $377 million, signaling tougher negotiations. Hobbs signed HB 2117 restructuring the Natural Resource Conservation Board and vetoed HB 2261 (agricultural property classification), HB 2787 (Mexican gray wolf federal nullification), HB 2167 (attorney general liability), and HB 2031 (Wilcox AMA groundwater right filing extension). Federally, Farm Bill amendments are due April 22 with expected floor action April 27. USDA and the Army Corps broke ground on a sterile screwworm fly facility in Edinburg, Texas, and Secretary Brooke Rollins will visit Douglas, Arizona amid potential cattle import port openings. The script also highlights Maricopa County Fair thanks, contest winners, internship and grant deadlines, and upcoming June policy meetings. Learn more at https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/

    6 min

  8. Apr 15

    Cultivating Connections: Gabe's Internship Journey in Arizona Agriculture

    This week, Nicole interviews Maricopa County Farm Bureau government relations intern Gabriel Flores on Arizona Agriculture Connection. Gabe is an ASU sophomore double majoring in sustainability and business management, shares his ranch upbringing in Queen Creek and how he found the internship through a friend. He discusses career interests in sustainable energy (SRP/APS), consulting to reduce carbon footprints, and ASU research on sustainable food systems involving mushrooms. Gabriel says the internship taught him agricultural policy challenges in Arizona and the West, improved his ability to turn complex bills into digestible blog content, and emphasized the importance of meaningful networking and relationship-building. Highlights include board meetings, the Farm City Breakfast (notably in Buckeye), and attending a Young Farmers and Ranchers convention in Portland to learn from farmers nationwide. Nicole announces upcoming summer agriculture communications internship applications at maricopacountyfb.org.

    17 min
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Maricopa County Farm Bureau is the voice of agriculture in a community that thrives on the dichotomy of urban and rural agriculture operations. This podcast is a home for farmers, ranchers, food lovers, prospective agriculturalists, and those who are interested in where their food comes from! Learn more at https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/

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