Root of the Matter

Rice in the Volunteer State | ROTM

After years of growing traditional row crops, Carl Shultz and his family took a different path and found an opportunity in rice. On this episode, Carl joins us to explain

Higher Grocery Prices Don’t Mean More Farmer Profits

Farmers continue to operate in the red even as grocery prices rise. Chad Smith tells us despite that, many consumers don’t know the challenges facing farm country.

Inside the Midterms: Early Voting, Redistricting & What’s on Tennessee’s Ballot | ROTM

Voting is underway for the midterms, with early voting already started in many states. Early indicators suggest turnout is outpacing 2022 in many places, and with control

Giants Among Us: Tennessee’s Oldest and Largest Trees | ROTM

Tennessee is home to some remarkable trees, from towering giants to ancient trees that have stood witness to generations of change. In this episode, we’re joined by arbor

ROTM | The Economics Behind the Future of Farming

In this episode of Root of the Matter, we sit down with Dr. Chris Boyer, UTIA Professor and Head of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, for a conversation

The Ballot Box & the 3-Year Degree: A Conversation with Tre Hargett | ROTM

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett joins us for a conversation about the upcoming midterm elections and the importance of Tennesseans making their voices heard at t

A God Thing: Two Million Meals and Counting | Root of the Matter

For more than a decade, the Shooting Hunger initiative has brought people together around a simple mission: helping feed those in need. Sponsored and organized by the Ten

ROTM | El Niño Is Coming: What Does It Mean for Tennessee This Winter?

Can we really predict what kind of winter Tennessee is going to have? In this episode, we sit down with meteorologist Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions to take a d

ROTM | More Than a Crown: Championing Agriculture

In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Polson, Miss Rodeo USA, for a conversation about horses, rodeo, agriculture, and the journey that brought her to the crown. Ashley

ROTM | Changing the Conversation: The Farm Babe on Agriculture, Influence & Advocacy

Michelle Miller, better known as The Farm Babe, has taken an unconventional path to becoming one of agriculture’s most recognizable voices online. In this episode, Michel

ROTM | Record Demand, Record Quality: The State of American Beef

In this episode, we sit down with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall to take a closer look at the current state of the American beef cattle market. Despite historically high prices,

ROTM | George Washington: The Farmer Who Became President

What do we really know about George Washington beyond the general and the first President of the United States? In this episode, we sit down with Douglas Dickerson, a Geo

ROTM | No-Till’s Legacy and the Future of Agriculture

In this episode, we sit down with UTIA Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor Keith Carver for a conversation about the legacy of no-till farming and the future

ROTM | Seven Generations Strong: Tennessee Farmer of the Year Willis Jepson

What does it take to carry on a family farming legacy seven generations in the making? Willis Jepson knows firsthand. Recently named the 2026 Tennessee Farmer of the Year

ROTM | Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished, and Built to Last

What does it take to build a profitable, sustainable beef operation in today’s cattle industry? In this episode, we’re joined by Campbell Baker, the 2026 Tennessee Young

ROTM: 2026 TN Young Farmer of The Year Kary Robinson

What does it take to become Tennessee’s Young Farmer of the Year? On this episode, we sit down with Franklin County farmer Kary Robinson, the 2026 Tennessee Young Farmer

ROTM | Tools for the Farm: How FSA Supports Tennessee Agriculture

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Mayfield, State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Tennessee, to discuss his background in agriculture and his journ

ROTM | Building Global Markets for Tennessee Forestry

In this episode, we sit down with Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Holt to talk about Tennessee’s recent trade mission to India and Thailand and why these trips

ROTM | Weston Brown on Farming, Leadership & the Future of Rural Tennessee

In this episode, we sit down with former Tennessee State FFA President Weston Brown to discuss his journey through agricultural leadership, his aspirations to work in the

ROTM | Managing Growth and Protecting Farmland

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Suddath from the University of Tennessee’s Center for Planning to explore one of the biggest challenges facing the state today: how