Canary In A Cornfield

This episode of Canary in a Cornfield focuses on an important methodological advancement in animal welfare science and it’s relevance for understanding the lives of animals in severely impoverished environments such as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), aka factory farms. I interview Dr. Cynthia Schuck, co-founder of the Welfare Footprint Institute, and we discuss how the Welfare Footprint Project translated global health-style quantitative methods to welfare assessments, which in turn has enabled comparisons across systems and cost-effectiveness analyses. Dr. Schuck described the Institute’s past and ongoing projects with industry, governments, and animal welfare organizations, with particular attention to the hog and egg laying hen operations that are prevalent in Iowa. And she explains how new research on the pain echo chamber demonstrates that barren, stressful confinement operations remove natural pain-suppressing mechanisms, amplify pain, and delay healing in animals. The unfortunate upshot of this research is that these extreme, barren environments are even worse for welfare than previously realized. The episode also comes at a time where members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a Farm Bill that includes language designed to overturn the will of voters in California and Massachusetts, who overwhelmingly voted to pass laws that banned animal products that come from the most extreme confinement conditions. The new Farm Bill has a lot of objectionable features, and many anti-hunger groups, family farm advocates, health organizations, conservation organizations, and labor organizations have come out strongly against it. Even many MAHA and right-leaning media outlets have expressed skepticism about it, including the Heritage Foundation and the Daily Caller. On this podcast, we’ve previously discussed the plan to overturn state welfare laws in our interviews with the ASPCA and Anna Pesek, and with Angela Huffman of Farm Action, and we’ve also discussed pesticide immunity with Emma Newton. And of course Senator Harkin wrote an op-ed last summer opposing the efforts to overturn state’s abilities to set their own standards. A number of organizations, such as the ALDF, have calls out asking people to tell their congressional representatives to oppose the Farm Bill and/or to support the bipartisan amendment to remove the language that attacks state animal welfare standards. Other relevant links mentioned in the episode:The Faunalytics study showing extreme public opposition to intensive confinement conditions among U.S. citizens. And the Johns Hopkins University study showing that Iowans are in favor of banning the construction of new confinement operations. A link to the Welfare Footprint Institute page. The Pain Echo Chamber paper.

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, host Adam talks with Sonja Trom Eayrs, author of Dodge County Incorporated, a book about the rise of concentrated animal feeding operations in southern Minnesota and the corporate structure behind them. Sonja describes how a pyramid scheme of multinational meatpackers, integrators, and contract growers replaced independent farming, driving geographic clustering near meatpacking plants and creating massive manure, air quality, and water pollution impacts, including nitrate-contaminated wells and community health concerns. She recounts her family’s experience fighting proposed facilities through lawsuits and facing harassment, intimidation, and distorted local governance, which she connects to coordinated industry influence through Farm Bureau politics. Sonja also shares where CAFO expansion is moving next, emphasizes the importance of documenting abuses when they occur, and urges listeners to get informed, support advocacy groups, and “vote with your fork” by buying local food.Links from the episode:Order the book!Land Stewardship ProjectHigher cancer rates in counties with more CAFOs, study finds

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, host Adam speaks with Emma Newton of the State Innovation Exchange (SIX) about efforts to stop state “pesticide immunity” bills that would shield chemical companies like Bayer from liability for harms linked to products such as Roundup, with broader implications for tens of thousands of agricultural chemicals. Newton explains SIX’s people-centered, co-governance approach and why state policy has become critical amid federal chaos, funding cuts, and parallel pushes through the Farm Bill, the courts, and a Trump executive order. The conversation highlights why the bills are unpopular, how grassroots organizing and bipartisan listening sessions in Iowa helped defeat them by centering community cancer stories, and how similar strategies are playing out nationwide. Newton closes with ways listeners can share stories, contact legislators, and find resources.

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 PointTyson’s $48 Million “Price-Fixing” Check Won’t Lower Your Grocery Bill

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

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”

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 institutionsThe first and second Eat Lancet Reports and their recommendations for a healthy and sustainable food systemThe need for reforming the food system if we want to address climate change.The industry funded PR campaign to undermine the reportSimple rules for a healthy and environmentally friendly dietSome relevant links from the episode:The first EAT Lancet ReportThe second EAT Lancet ReportThe EAT ForumDr. Willett’s Faculty PageGuardian Article: PR campaign may have fueled food study backlash, leaked document shows

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, hosted by the Harkin Institute, Adam speaks with Bob Martin, a longtime advocate for agricultural reform. Martin, who served nearly two decades at Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, discusses his role as the executive director of the Pew Commission’s landmark report ‘Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America.’ The conversation delves into the report’s origin, key recommendations on public health, the environment, and animal welfare, and the challenges of advocating for systemic change in the face of industry resistance. Martin reflects on his extensive career in politics and policy, shares insights on the current state of agriculture, and emphasizes the importance of continuing advocacy for sustainable farming practices.Links:The Pew Report: Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in AmericaJohns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, we focus on a new book titled "We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy," featuring the work of conservationist and public servant Paul Johnson. Host Adam Shriver interviews Annika Johnson, Paul’s daughter, and Kurt Meine, the book's editor and a senior fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation. The discussion covers Paul Johnson's life, career, and influence on conservation and agricultural policy, while highlighting his vision of community-focused farming and ethical land use. The guests also discuss ongoing efforts by the Paul Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy to continue his legacy through fellowships, events, and policy initiatives.

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, host Adam Shriver sits down with Megan Hunter and Tanner Faaborg to discuss the Transformation Project, an initiative that helps farmers transition from factory farming to more sustainable practices. Megan discusses the project's origins and goals, highlighting the importance of policy support and farmer solidarity. Tanner shares his personal journey, detailing how his family farm moved from hog CAFOs to growing specialty mushrooms. The conversation underscores the environmental impacts of traditional farming, the challenges of gaining autonomy, and the importance of consumer support for local farmers.

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, host Adam Shriver welcomes Andrew deCoriolis from Farm Forward to discuss current counterproductive policies related to avian influenza (bird flu) as well as potential solutions. This episode is the second in a two-part series on avian influenza.

In this episode of Canary in a Cornfield, we are joined by Aaron Lehman, President of the Iowa Farmers Union; Colleen Fowle, Water Program Director at the Iowa Environmental Council; Amy Kahler, CEO of Des Moines Water Works; and Audrey E. Tran Lam, Environmental Health Program Director at UNI. Our guests provide reactions to the first official presentation of findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA) report.You can watch the presentation on our YouTube channel.

In this second episode of Canary in a Cornfield, we discuss the impact of nitrates on public health and the environment with Dr. Christopher Gobler from Stony Brook University. The conversation covers research into health risks from nitrate pollution, a "magical septical mystery tour" that helped improve septic systems in New York, and proposed solutions like the nitrogen credit payment program.