What does it really take to grow a peach, a plum—or a glass of wine? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge heads to Palisade, Colorado and into the orchard with Kentucky native, Phil Patton, owner and winemaker, Peachfork Orchards & Vineyards.

Phil shares a firsthand look at the challenges of growing specialty crops in a region where water is precious, weather is unpredictable, and every growing decision carries risk. The conversation explores why water is one of the biggest challenges facing Western agriculture, how drought and warmer temperatures are changing growing conditions, and how shifting consumer demands are influencing what growers grow.

What We Cover:

• Why water—and cooperation—are critical to growing food in the Western U.S.

• How drought, heat and changing seasons are reshaping specialty crop production

• The essential role of pollination in producing a successful fruit crop

• How growers are adapting crops and technology to meet changing markets

The conversation takes a surprising turn when Phil shares how he took pollination—literally—into his own hands after six years without a plum crop. Whether it’s a peach, a plum or a bottle of wine, there’s a story behind what we eat and drink—and it’s often more complicated than you think.

Guest: Phil Patton, owner & winemaker, Peachfork Orchards & Vineyards, Palisades, CO

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What if your favorite bread and pasta could deliver significantly more fiber without changing the taste or texture? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with Jessica Wellnitz of Bay State Milling about a new high-fiber wheat flour developed through decades of traditional breeding.

With about 10 times more fiber than traditional white flour, this innovative wheat is already being used in products consumers can find today.

What We Cover

• How decades of traditional wheat breeding created a high-fiber flour without sacrificing taste or texture

• Why resistant starch and fiber matter for digestive and overall health

• How high-fiber wheat moves from the field to consumer products

• How farmers are contracted and rewarded for the nutritional quality vs the quantity of the wheat crop.

Jessica also explains how this innovation could help close our society’s fiber gap and make bread a more nutritious staple for improving public health.

Guest: Jessica Wellnitz — Director of Business Development, Bay State Milling

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Note: No financial support received from any mentioned products.

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California, Davis professor, extension specialist, and director of the CLEAR Center, about the science behind livestock emissions, methane, and the environmental impact of our food choices.

Known as the “Greenhouse Gas Guru,” Frank explains how a widely cited 2006 UN report helped shape the conversation around livestock and climate—and why the way emissions were measured created an apples-to-oranges comparison between livestock and transportation…and their respective global location.

The conversation takes a closer look at methane and why managing it may be an opportunity for dairy farmers using technologies such as anaerobic digesters and feed additives rather than climate liability.

What We Cover

• What the science really tells us about livestock, methane, and greenhouse gas emissions

• Why comparing livestock and transportation emissions can be misleading

• How farmers are reducing methane and turning climate challenges into opportunities

• What’s behind the changing market for plant-based and cell-cultured meat

Marianne and Frank also explore how consumers make food choices, and why taste, price, nutrition, and trust in the product often matter more to shoppers than environmental impact.

Guest: Frank Mitloehner, PhD, Director, University of California Davis CLEAR Center, Animal Science Professor

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In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with registered dietitian and food scientist Joy Dubost, PhD, RD about the science and regulations behind some of today’s biggest food and nutrition debates. They take a closer look at the current GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) process, what the proposed changes could mean for food safety and transparency, and the ongoing debate over how we define ultra-processed foods.

They also explore the push to replace artificial food colors with natural alternatives—and why “natural” doesn't automatically mean safer or better. Along the way, Joy and Marianne unpack how food science, regulation, and nutrition misinformation can get lost in the headlines, leaving consumers wondering what they can trust.

What We Cover

• An overview of the current GRAS process and how the new proposed rule could impact transparency

• Why replacing artificial colors with natural colors isn't as simple as it sounds

• Why defining ultra-processed foods is more complicated than it may seem

• How consumers can navigate nutrition misinformation and make informed food choices

The takeaway? Food and nutrition are rarely as simple as a headline suggests. Understanding the science, looking at the bigger picture, and relying on credible sources, like registered dietitians can help consumers make informed choices without getting caught up in fear or confusion.

NOTE: The comment period for the GRAS proposed changes has been extended to a 120- day time period rather than the 90-day period mentioned in the episode.

Guest: Joy Dubost, PhD, RD Owner, NJOY Health & Nutrition, LLC , a nutrition, regulatory affairs & scientific consulting company.

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In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge sits down with grain trader Ben Scholl, president of Osterbur & Associates, to reveal what happens to crops like corn after they leave the farm.

Ben explains how corn moves from growers to food manufacturers around the world—and why not all corn is created equal. The conversation explores how grain is bought and sold months—or even years—ahead of harvest, how global demand influences what farmers grow, and the complex logistics behind moving millions of bushels from Midwest fields to customers worldwide.

What We Cover

• How corn moves from farms to the foods we eat

• Why different types of corn serve different markets

• The journey of grain crops from Midwest fields to global buyers

• How trade, technology, and consumer trends are shaping the future of farming

You'll also hear an honest discussion about today's farm economy, including tight profit margins, trade uncertainty, agricultural programs, and how changing consumer trends—from GLP-1 medications to shifts in alcohol consumption—are influencing the future demand for corn.

Guest: Ben Scholl, President, Osterbur & Associates

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No financial support received from Bay State Milling or any products mentioned.

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with fourth-generation Michigan tart cherry grower Talon Felker about the science, hard work, and innovation behind one of America's most unique specialty crops.

From the unique climate that makes northern Michigan ideal for growing Montmorency tart cherries to the challenges of pests, unpredictable weather, and rising production costs, Talon shares a behind-the-scenes look at an industry few consumers ever see.

What We Cover:

• The differences between sweet and tart cherries.

• How cherries go from tree to finished product in as little as 36 hours.

• The health benefits that make Montmorency tart cherries unique.

• Why bees are essential to a successful cherry harvest.

• A new certification program that helps shoppers identify authentic U.S.-grown tart cherries.

• Creative ways to enjoy tart cherries beyond pie.

• The biggest challenges facing today's specialty crop farmers.

Discover the story behind one of America's iconic summer fruits and meet the farm family working to keep this unique specialty crop thriving for future generations.

*This is not a sponsored episode*

Guest: Talon Felker, Michigan Tart Cherry Grower, host of The Specialty Crop Cast, and creator of Pomes and Stones.

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In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge sits down with supermarket dietitian Leah McGrath, who has spent more than 26 years helping shoppers navigate the grocery store with confidence.

Leah shares practical, money-saving strategies—from meal planning and shopping weekly sales to making the most of loyalty programs and seasonal produce. But this conversation goes beyond grocery budgets. It dives into one of today's biggest challenges: food misinformation.

Together, Marianne and Leah explore why consumers are increasingly fearful of ingredients they can't pronounce, how food-scanning apps and social media fuel confusion, and why marketing claims on the front of food packages often distract shoppers from the information that really matters.

You'll also hear how supermarket dietitians serve as trusted voices in their communities, helping consumers separate science from sensational headlines while connecting them with local farmers and the stories behind their food.

What We Cover:

• Why a simple meal plan can be your biggest money-saving tool.

• Why unfamiliar ingredients aren't automatically unhealthy.

• How food myths spread through social media and food-rating apps.

• What information on a food package actually deserves your attention.

• How supermarket dietitians help consumers make evidence-based food decisions

Whether you're trying to spend less, eat well, or simply make sense of the conflicting nutrition messages, this episode will leave you feeling more informed—and confident—the next time you head to the grocery store.

Leah McGrath, RD,LDN

Corporate Dietitian

Ingles Market

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Have you ever wondered why some of your favorite foods seem harder to find—or why they're changing?

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge sits down with registered dietitian, chef, and farmer's daughter Amy Myrdal Miller to explore the forces shaping the foods we enjoy every day.

Using Florida's citrus industry as a real-world example, Amy explains how citrus greening disease has dramatically changed orange production and how researchers and growers are working to protect one of America's most recognizable crops.

But the conversation goes beyond citrus to answer a question many consumers ask: Why don't farmers just grow something else? Amy breaks down the economic realities behind farming decisions—from specialized equipment and infrastructure to reliable markets and financial risk.

Together, she and Marianne explore why growing our food requires long-term planning, adaptability, and innovation. The episode wraps up in the kitchen as Amy shares simple ways to enjoy the season's freshest produce and previews her upcoming cookbook featuring simple 2-ingredient, heart-healthy recipes.

What We Cover:

• How citrus greening disease has transformed Florida's citrus industry.

• Why farmers can't simply switch to growing different crops.

• How markets, infrastructure, and consumer demand influence what farmers grow.

• Practical ways to enjoy more fresh fruits and vegetables with simple seasonal recipes.

Join us for another conversation that connects the science, the farmers, and the stories behind the food we eat.

Guest: Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RDN, FAND, Founder & President Farmer’s Daughter

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Book: Cooking à la Heart - Farmer's Daughter Consulting