Started in 1901, the Missouri State Fair has since become an annual tradition, and is a yearly celebration of Missouri’s agriculture, fine art, and food, among other things. This year, however, the festival reached national attention after video surfaced showing a rodeo clown at the fair dressed as President Obama. On the video, an announcer is seen asking the audience if they wanted to see "Obama run down by a bull." The stunt has been heavily criticized, with some calling it racist. This week on Intersection, broadcast live from the festival, we'll speak to the fair's director about the rodeo incident. We'll also talk about the state fair in general, hear from young farmers, and got an insider’s view of some of the competitions. Throughout the show, we’ll also present some sights and sounds of the festival, which runs through Aug. 18th. Special thanks goes to Harum Helmy and Kristofor Husted for editorial assistance, and I-LAND Internet Services for technical assistance. | 1st segment panelists: Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Fair Director David Dick, livestock superintendent |
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(Program was recorded Thursday, April 12.) Spring is officially upon us, and for many in the country it arrived early this year. We get some possible explanations for the record high temperatures in March. You'll also hear how the early spring could benefit farmers, consumers and even the insect population. Panelists:
Rob Lawrence, forest entomologist, Missouri Department of Conservation Tony Lupo, chairman, University of Missouri Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences Michael Monson, chair, University of Missouri Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Lowell Schachtsiek, a farmer from northeast Missouri (joining the program by phone) Janice Stillman, editor of the Old Farmers Almanac (joining the program by phone)
Is factory farming evil? Is the Humane Society a bunch of bunny-hugging extremists? How can you as a consumer reconcile the extreme messages on either side of farm and food fights? Four experts with diverse views discuss the messages and motives behind these controversies in this special Intersection event, recorded Friday, March 16, at Broadway Brewery & Restaurant in Columbia, Mo. This program is a collaboration with
Panelists:
Mike Adams, host of the syndicated program AgriTalk Chris Chinn, fifth generation family farmer Bruce Friedrich, senior director for strategic initiatives at Farm Sanctuary Wes Jamison, associate professor of communication, Palm Beach Atlantic University Although scientists say it is possible to provide everyone with more than enough food calories, humanity still faces the stark reality of chronic hunger, and not just in the developing world. In this town-hall forum, our panelists explain the challenges -- for consumers, farmers, governments, and scientists -- that make it difficult to feed the world now and into the future. Panelists:
Maria Rodriguez Alcala, assistant director of undergraduate studies in agricultural and applied economics, University of Missouri Bill Allen, assistant professor of science journalism, University of Missouri Paul Lasley, professor and chair of the Sociology and Anthropology departments, Iowa State University. After years of back and forth with local officials, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week released a pollution control plan that identifies storm-water runoff as the main source of pollutants in Hinkson Creek. On today's program, panelists explain what pollution in the creek means to the average citizen of mid-Missouri. We also look at how Hinkson Creek might be cleaned up, how quickly it could happen, and how much the clean-up efforts might cost taxpayers like you. Panelists:
Ken Midkiff, member of the Sierra Club, Osage Group and columnist for the Columbia Daily Tribune Karen Miller, Boone County southern district commissioner As consumers we expect the food we eat to be plentiful and affordable. But the factors that keep food prices down affect many different areas of our societal landscape. Today's Intersection discussion explores the business and management of agriculture -- in particular, how our complex food system affects people here in mid-Missouri and around the globe. Panelists:
Ronald Plain, MU professor of agricultural economics and Extension economist Handy Williamson, MU vice provost for international programs and professor of agricultural economics Richard Oswald, farmer and board member of the Missouri Farmers Union (joining the program by phone) |