June 28, 1980 - Dr. Frances Hill, professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin, speaking at the second annual Farm Women's Forum in Rochester, Minnesota. Hill’s address was about the changes in the roles and lives of farm women, based on her interviews with over one hundred Midwestern farm women. These changes include the demise of the family farm, and secondly, a change in women's personal rights.
December 13, 1980 - Jack Nelson, author of "Hunger for Justice: The Politics of Food and Faith", speaking at a Minneapolis conference on organic farming, sponsored by Clergy and Laity Concerned. Nelson’s address was on the topic "Hunger and the Crisis in American Agriculture." He shared his believe that America being the world's breadbasket was a myth. Nelson is a native of Minnesota. He is a critic of many of the trends in American agriculture.
June 20, 1981 - When it comes to Father’s Day, commentator Bruce Benidt thinks of the farmer.
August 27, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly visits the Minnesota State Fair horse barn. Connelly talks with Elmer Jones, who raises Belgian horses, and trainer-rider Simone Tremblay.
August 29, 1981 - Commentator Bruce Benidt presents a humorous take on what crops Minnesota farmers should really plant.
September 5, 1981 - Bruce Benidt reflects on the forgotten farm houses of the rural Midwest.
September 19, 1981 - Local commentator Bruce Benidt wonders on the term “fall color” and what it means to the farmer.
November 10, 1981 - A discussion on the grain export boom, with participants Willard Cochrane, Philip Raup and Vernon Ruttan, all professors of agriculture and applied economics at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul; and Bill Larson, a USDA soil scientist based at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Harlan Cleveland, Director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs moderates the discussion. He opens with brief intro which refers to the Spring 1981 article in the magazine, "Foreign Affairs", where author Lawrence Soth discusses his view that our reliance on the export of agricultural products is mining our soil. The panel members discuss that view and other topics.
January 2, 1982 - Local commentator Bruce Benidt shares the unpleasant side of hog farms…or more accurately, the odor.
March 6, 1982 - With spring’s approach, MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Bill Nunn about vegetable gardening. Topics include seeds, fighting Dutch Elm disease, container gardening and weather. Nunn also answers listener questions.