www.azfb.org OCTOBER, 2016 Volume 69 No. 8 Official Publication of the Arizona Farm Bureau A Conversation with a Nutritionist: Melinda Johnson By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau Communication Director Yes, the scientists solicited to develop the USDA dietary guidelines are highly regarded for their scientific literacy; but Johnson points out that politics can leak into the final recommendations. elinda Johnson is a Registered Dietitian, and works as a Clinical Associate agriculture work together more? Professor of Nutrition at Arizona State University, where she also manages Johnson: I am a big fan of connecting with each other through social media, but Mthe program for future Registered Dietitians. this takes a conscious effort, because it’s easy to stay stuck in your own professional Johnson’s career has allowed her to be active with the me- silo. I love to browse the #Agchat conversations on Twitter, dia, serving as a Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition they lead me to finding very interesting agricultural accounts, and Dietetics for a decade and also contributing a monthly and I always learn something new. In the world of dietitians, column to the US News website called Eat+Run. Johnson is #RDchat is used very often, so agriculture people can follow an Arizona native, and she is a proud alumni of Project CEN- that hashtag to interact with registered dietitians. TRL, class XXII. Offering agriculture tours to nutrition interns or nutrition As Arizona Farm Bureau works more and more with nu- professionals is my other favorite way of working together. tritionists and draws counsel from food advocates like John- Our ASU interns go visit local dairies to learn about the in- son, the farmer nutritionist partnership will continue to grow. dustry and ask questions. Currently, Arizona Farm Bureau’s Fill Your Plate partners Finally, I do wish we would do better at cross-promoting with ASU nutrition communication students to support the our different conferences and meetings, to invite each other to website’s weekly blog. attend or even present. When I had my year-long experience In this backdrop, Arizona Agriculture wanted to visit with the leadership program through Project CENTRL, it re- with Johnson about some critical issues dealing with food, the ally hit home with me how refreshing it was to be sitting in a Farm to Table movement and much more. room full of people from all different industries because I’m Arizona Agriculture: What’s “big” in the nutrition circles usually just surrounded by Registered Dietitians when I go to right now? conferences! Johnson: It depends on the circle. The “paleo” diet con- Arizona Agriculture: What’s your take on the Farm to tinues to be big with college students, especially those that are Table movement? into the CrossFit type of workout which continues to gain in Johnson: I like that the public is getting more interested popularity due to the show American Ninja Warrior! Fad diets in knowing where their food is coming from and wanting to in general are always big with the general population, we just support local farmers. However, I would like to start to ex- insert a different fad diet depending on the year. Plant-based Arizona Farm Bureau is happy to hear Nu- pand the public’s idea of “local” to really support that all ag- eating is always big in nutrition professional circles, and the tritionist and Project CENTRL alum Melinda riculture has a “local” reality to it wherever it ends up. So, the Johnson report that “in social media, the next Mediterranean-style of eating is still hot with nutrition profes- big thing is in short videos, especially cook- Farm to Table movement at least has people thinking about sionals. ing - social media is moving towards visuals where their food started out, and they may be surprised to Arizona Agriculture: How can the nutrition experts and instead of text, and will probably continue to learn that “local” might be hiding in their own grocery store! do so.” See JOHNSON Page 9 Arizona Farm Bureau Endorses Gosar, McCain and McSally By Joe Sigg, Arizona Farm Bureau Government Relations Director and Ana Kennedy Otto, Arizona Farm Bureau Government Relations Manager enator John McCain and Representative Martha Mc- Sally both have challengers in the upcoming general Selection race. While not running as a team, we single them both out for their strength on natural resource issues and national defense. As to the former, we have found our organization to be very compatible on these issues, and the knowledge, expe- rience and strength they both bring our country on national defense and security are key for us. We have endorsed Senator McCain in the past for both the Presidency and the Senate, and despite having a good Senator Representative relationship with his challenger, nothing has changed in our McCain McSally respect for the Senator, but we do add that he was given a Friend of Farm Bureau award by the American Farm Bureau. Representative McSally (R-District 2) had a 100% rating from the Tough Questions - Page 2 American Farm Bu- reau in her award of We Asked them of Babeu the Friend of Farm and O’Halleran! Bureau. We appreciate her work in the U.S. House. Ag Positions - Page 4 Additionally, Comparing Trump and Representative Paul Clinton Gosar (R- District 4) Representative Paul Gosar’s voting record also has earned a reelec- earned him the Friend of Farm Bureau award, tion endorsement from A “No” Position - Page 5 which was presented to him in September in the Arizona Farm Bu- Washington, D.C. by Arizona Farm Bureau Presi- On the Two Citizen dent Kevin Rogers, First Vice President Stefanie reau for his consistent Smallhouse and the rest of the Arizona Farm Bu- support and active Initiatives reau National Government Relations Committee. engagement on issues ranging from govern- ment overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forest Service to national monument designations and the Mexican wolf. Con- gressman Gosar’s voting record also earned him the Friend of Farm Bu- reau award, which was presented to him in September in Washington, D.C. by President Kevin Rogers and Arizona Farm Bureau’s National Government Relations Committee. PERIODICALS 2 www.azfb.org ARIZONA AGRICULTURE • OCTOBER, 2016 We make insurance simple.® A Farm Bureau agent makes insurance simple Candidates Babeu and O’Halleran Are and affordable for you to protect your family, home Asked to Answer the Tough Questions and car. By Joe Sigg and Ana Kennedy Otto with Arizona Farm Bureau’s Government Relations and By Julie Murphree, with the Communication, Ag Education and Marketing. With offices across the state, we make it simple to protect your family, ach candidate vying for Congressional District 1 was asked to answer three critical questions important to our home, car and business. Contact your local agent today. farm and ranch constituents from this large and important district. These questions represent the agriculture BUCKEYE MESA 311 N. Miller Rd. 2500 S Power Rd., Ste 113 community and deserve the candidate’s critical attention. 623.935.6209 480-807-7987 E 480-279-1874 Over the years, we’ve seen the federal government’s encroachment on state lands and the abuse of the Endangered BULLHEAD CITY Species Act. Now, rural counties are facing issues with the Affordable Health Care law as reasonably priced and viable 2071 Hwy. 95, Ste A ORO VALLEY insurance options dwindle. In Pinal County, not a single insurer was willing to offer a marketplace option to the nearly 928.763.8464 10355 N. La Canada Dr. #197 520.885.3083 10,000 people now enrolled until Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona announced last month that it had decided to main- CASA GRANDE 408 N. Sacaton, Ste. E parker tain its presence there after reporting rates will increase by 51% in 2017 (we are told new subsidies will be available to 520.836.2511 1212 S. Kofa Ave. Arizona residents next year). 928-669-2437 CAVE CREEK The Questions: 6554 E Cave Creek, Rd#4 paYSON 480.575.0710 512 S. Beeline Hwy. #4 1. Do you support the Grand Canyon National Monument? 928.474.1775 CHANDLER 2. How do you deal with the conflict caused by the introduction of the Mexican wolf in your 912 W Chandler Blvd, Ste., B-6 480.284.4223 PHOENIX district? 22601 N. 19th Ave. #106 COTTONWOOD 623-434-8097 3. What is your solution to the failure of the Affordable Health Care Act in Rural Arizona? 1759 E. Villa Drive, #113 The two candidates in the general election are Republican candidate Paul Babeu and Democratic candidate Tom 928.649.8686 21630 N 19th Ave, Ste B-18 623.388.3349 O’Halleran. Their answers follow. DEWEY 171 S. Hwy 69, # C 4600 E Washingotn Suite 300 928.632.0014 602-772-4916 Paul Babeu flagstaff PRESCOTT 2733 E Lakin Dr. #1 3005 N. Hwy. 89 Republican Candidate 928.527.1343 928.778.9350 GILBERT The federal government’s intrusion into Arizona’s land management has rankled farm- Higley Rd. #100 QUEEN CREEK 480.635.3860 21321 E. Ocotillo Rd. #105 ers, cattlemen and state leaders for years. 480-987-9163 343 N Gilbert Rd The federal government owns at least 42 percent of Arizona’s vast land. But their stew- 480-699-0861 ardship and rules about how the state must maintain its lands prevent responsible growth, SAFFORD 1605 S Gilbert Rd # 103 620 S. 1st Ave. costs taxpayers and threatens our private property rights. 480.833.8718 928.428.4618 Nowhere is that more evident than in two federal initiatives: The reintroduction of the 115 N Pasadena #104 480.704.4182 SCOTTSDALE Mexican gray wolf and a new Grand Canyon National Monument.