Canary In A Cornfield

The Harkin Institute
  • 4.2 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT

Canary In A Cornfield is a podcast from The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, that explores how the policies that shape our food and farming systems impact our health, our communities, and our future.

  1. 1D AGO

    Farm Action's Angela Huffman on the Farm Bill and the Root Cause of the Current Farm Crisis

    In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, host Adam speaks with Angela Huffman, co-founder of the farmer-led watchdog group Farm Action, about how consolidation and weak antitrust enforcement have reshaped U.S. agriculture and squeezed farmers, workers, and consumers. Huffman responds to a widely covered letter from former USDA officials and commodity leaders warning of agricultural collapse, agreeing with its concerns about broad Trump-era tariffs and retaliation but arguing it overlooks the root cause: decades of consolidation and policies that reward overproduction of commodity crops and export dependence. The conversation covers Farm Action’s data on corporate control across the food chain, concerns about price fixing and small settlements in the meat sector, and policy priorities for the 2026 Farm Bill, including rebuilding regional processing, diversifying farms toward food crops and mixed systems, and using government procurement to support healthier, locally produced food. They also discuss efforts to override California’s Proposition 12, pesticide immunity proposals, and Farm Action’s outlook on renewed federal investigations into meatpacker price fixing. Links from episode: Farm Action Website Former Farming Leaders Warn U.S. Agriculture Could Face ‘Widespread Collapse’ The Farm Crisis Is Real. But This Letter Misses the Point Tyson’s $48 Million “Price-Fixing” Check Won’t Lower Your Grocery Bill

    34 min

  2. FEB 16

    Friends of the Earth's Kari Hamerschlag on the Toxic Chemicals the MAHA Movement Missed (so far)

    Don’t forget to register for the Harkin on Wellness Symposium on March 11! My guest for this episode is Kari Hamerschlag, Deputy Director of Friends of the Earth’s Agricultural Program. I’ve followed her work for a while, which includes both great work in the US and also work dealing with international institutions. What caught my eye most recently is an op-ed that Kari wrote for the Hill where she discusses something that’s being missed in many of the discussions about toxic chemicals in her food. Namely, the dense amount of toxic contaminants that accumulate in animal tissue, fat, and milk that comes from industrial animal agriculture. In this episode, we discussed the op-ed Friends of the Earth’s extensive environmental portfolio of working on agricultural issues. And we continue our discussion of the recent nutrition guidelines. Kari also gives some great suggestions of what her priorities are in regards to reforming our current agricultural system. Links for the week: Friends of the Earth’s Food and Agriculture Page Kari’s Op-Ed: Saturated fat debate overlooks toxic chemical contaminants in industrial meat Last week’s discussion of the Nutrition Guidelines with Professor Marion Nestle

    36 min

  3. FEB 10

    Dr. Marion Nestle on the Dietary Guidelines and Her New book What To Eat Now

    In this episode, Adam speaks with one of the most influential voices in public health and food policy today. Professor Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Science, and Public Health, emerita, at New York University, a department she not only chaired for 15 years, but essentially pioneered when she founded one of the nation’s first academic food studies programs. We discuss her new book, What to Eat Now: The Indispensable Guide to Good Food, How to Find it and Why it Matters, including observations on what’s changed since the pandemic and a detailed description of the dynamics of how supermarkets convince people to buy more (often unhealthy) food. Professor Nestle also offers a detailed critique of the new USDA Dietary Guidelines, which includes both positive and negative suggestions but unfortunately has a clear emphasis on some of the least supported claims. Some relevant links: Professor Nestle’s blog: https://www.foodpolitics.com/ Buy her new book, What to Eat Now! The Iowa Farmer’s Union Lunch and Learn interview with Dr. Nestle

    42 min

  4. FEB 2

    The Largest Contributor to Food Waste

    In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, Adam interviews Matthew Dominguez from Compassion In World Farming (CIWF). They discuss CIWF’s work in the United States and abroad, and talk about an important recent report about food waste that illustrates how industrial farming significantly contributes to inefficiencies and environmental degradation. Matthew explains that factory farming, despite being touted as efficient, wastes massive amounts of food resources that could otherwise feed billions. The conversation touches on the global impact of farming practices, the necessity for policy changes, and the benefits of regenerative farming and plant-forward diets. Matthew also shares his background and advocacy journey, emphasizing the need to align agricultural subsidies with public health and environmental sustainability. Links from the show: Compassion in World Farming USA Food Not Feed: How to Stop the World’s Biggest Source of Food Waste Full Report Food Not Feed Summary Greener By Default (mentioned in episode)

    46 min

  5. JAN 26

    The Cancer Connection: Denmark's New Recommendations for Nitrates in Drinking Water

    Denmark actually has quite a bit in common with Iowa; the country has a population of roughly 6 million people, but raises almost 30 million pigs per year. Iowa raises about 25 millions hogs/year and has a human population of about 3.2 million people. But one thing Denmark doesn’t have in common with Iowa is that their government take nitrates in drinking water very, very seriously! In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, the podcast explores the connection between nitrates in drinking water and cancer with Professor Thor Halldorsson from the University of Iceland. Professor Halldorsson chaired the Denmark Ministry of the Environment's Scientific Committee, which suggested a new drinking water standard significantly lower than the current EU and US standards. The discussion delves into the biological mechanisms linking nitrates to cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, and highlights a comprehensive study involving 1.7 million people in Denmark. The episode also covers the differences in nitrate measurement between the US and EU, the agricultural context of Denmark, and how these findings could influence global standards. Some links from the podcast: The report from the Denmark Ministry of the Environment. The Schullehner et al 2018 study “Nitrate in drinking water and colorectal cancer risk: A nationwide population-based cohort study” Another important study: “Source-specific nitrate and nitrite intake and association with colorectal cancer in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort”

    36 min

  6. 12/19/2025

    Peering Through Nature's Lens with Professor Neil Hamilton

    In the latest episode of Canary in a Cornfield, Adam interviews Professor and author Neil Hamilton from Drake University. They discuss Professor Hamilton's impactful career, which includes founding the Drake Agricultural Law Center and the Iowa Nature Summit, as well as chairing the Governor’s Food Policy Council from 2000 to 2007, and delve into Hamilton's trilogy of environmental books: The Land Remains, The River Knows, and Through Nature's Lens. Discussions include the evolution of agricultural law, the importance of community and advocacy in environmental policy, and the need ethical approaches to nature and food production. Hamilton also reflects on current issues in water quality, public health, and the significance of nurturing future generations of environmental advocates. The conversation reinforces the pivotal role law and community play in shaping sustainable agricultural and environmental policies.

    58 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    Episode 14: Dr. Walter Willett on the Landmark EAT Lancet Study on Healthy and Sustainable Diets

    In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, host Adam speaks with Dr. Walter Willett, a leading expert in epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. They discuss the first and second EAT Lancet reports, which examine the possibility of feeding the growing world population while staying within planetary boundaries. Among the topics discussed: The current administration’s clash with higher ed institutions The first and second Eat Lancet Reports and their recommendations for a healthy and sustainable food system The need for reforming the food system if we want to address climate change. The industry funded PR campaign to undermine the report Simple rules for a healthy and environmentally friendly diet Some relevant links from the episode: The first EAT Lancet Report The second EAT Lancet Report The EAT Forum Dr. Willett’s Faculty Page Guardian Article: PR campaign may have fueled food study backlash, leaked document shows

    53 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    Episode 13: Comparing National, State, and Local Water Regulations in Iowa and Minnesota

    In one of my favorite episodes so far, we speak with Michael Schmidt, the General Counsel of the Iowa Environmental Council, the largest environmental coalition in the state. Michael reflects on his time working in Minnesota and Iowa to give context to how the laws that regulate water quality impact our quality of life. He discusses the Clean Water Act, as well as competing constitutional amendments in the two states that have so far had very different outcomes. He also covers tile drainage, the Farm Bill, concentrated animal feeding operations, and rules that currently incentivize planting marginal land. A few links related to the episode: Local 5 News (with an interview of Michael) KCCI: Drake University Hosts Town Hall on Water Quality Solutions Des Moines Register: Takeaways from a town hall on Iowa water quality at Drake University

    47 min
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4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Canary In A Cornfield is a podcast from The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, that explores how the policies that shape our food and farming systems impact our health, our communities, and our future.

Information

  • Creator
    The Harkin Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Harkin Institute
  • Show Website
    Canary In A Cornfield