In a flavorful new episode of The Peanut Podcast, NPB co-hosts Lauren Highfill Williams and Ashton Pellom take listeners on a delicious deep dive into one of America’s most beloved pantry staples: peanut butter. With this being the first-ever episode available in both video and audio formats, fans can now see the peanut passion in action. The hosts are joined by four leading voices in peanut butter: Lee Zalben, founder of Peanut Butter & Co.; Sarah Johnson of Skippy; Dr. Lisa Dean from USDA; and Dr. Gabrielle Harris from NC State.

Lee Zalben kicks things off with a sensory breakdown of why peanut butter hits all the right notes. “It’s that creamy texture... and that kind of roasted flavor and some kind of sweetness… a little bit of salt, a little bit of savoriness,” he explains, offering listeners a glimpse into flavor science. Meanwhile, Dr. Gabrielle Harris peels back the curtain on the Maillard reaction—the chemical magic behind that irresistible roasted peanut taste: “This produces those wonderful roasted flavors, aromas, and colors.”

The episode also uncovers the journey peanuts take from farm to jar, with Dr. Lisa Dean walking through harvesting and drying methods, while Sarah Johnson emphasizes the roasting process as a crucial first step: “It enhances the flavor of the nut itself. It makes them a little bit easier for the process.” Fun fact: crunchy peanut butter is just smooth peanut butter with chopped peanuts mixed in!

Beyond flavor, the conversation shifts to nutrition and sustainability. Dr. Harris calls peanut butter a “functional food” and swears by its staying power during long days: “A scoop of peanut butter will keep me going for a couple of hours.” Lee Zalben highlights its sustainability edge, explaining that peanuts are nitrogen-fixing, water-efficient crops. Whether you're a creamy or crunchy devotee, this episode delivers a smart, fun, and crave-worthy celebration of peanut butter.

Ready to go beyond the sandwich? Listen or watch episode 33 now and get the full scoop—smooth or crunchy—on peanut butter.

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 food and more importantly, how it’s produced.

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.

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’t just 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.

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.

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.

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

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! 🎙🥜

In this enlightening episode of the National Peanut Board’s The Peanut Podcast, hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams explore the cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and agriculture, with a particular focus on how AI could impact the peanut industry. Joining them are two experts in the field: Alina Piddubna, Delivery Director at Intellis, and Dr. Simer Virk, Associate Professor at Auburn University, who share real-world insights into AI's potential to effect farming practices.

Alina sets the stage by demystifying AI, emphasizing its practical applications over the "magic" many associate with it. “AI is about empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions,” she explains, citing examples like personalized crop recommendations and IoT sensors that track soil and moisture conditions. These tools, Alina says, help reduce losses and increase yields by providing actionable insights tailored to specific farms. Her message is clear: the key to AI's success lies in building trust and infrastructure to make these technologies accessible.

Dr. Simer Virk complements Alina's insights with hands-on examples of AI applications in precision agriculture. One standout? A mobile app called Weed ID, which uses AI to identify weeds through your phone's camera. “It’s like having a personal plant detective in your pocket,” Simer quips, adding that similar technologies could one day be adapted to peanut farming. He also highlights projects like using drones for targeted spraying and developing systems to reduce peanut harvesting losses.

The episode also dives into the challenges of implementing AI in agriculture, from navigating strict regulations to overcoming farmers’ hesitancy to adopt new technologies. Both guests stress the importance of experimentation, urging farmers to start small and see the benefits firsthand. “Big hugs to those brave enough to experiment with modern technology,” says Alina, encouraging listeners to take the leap into innovation.

With its blend of expert insights and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of agriculture. Whether you’re a farmer, tech enthusiastor peanut aficionado, The Peanut Podcast offers a fascinating glimpse into how AI is reshaping the fields—one byte (or bite!) at a time.