Squabbles of the Soil is a podcast where we discuss different issues in agriculture and how they affect the current industry. This podcast series was first created and produced by agriculture students in the Fall 2020 "Debate and Discussion in Agriculture" course at Middle Tennessee State University. Each fall, a new group of students adds to the podcast episodes. The MTSU School of Agriculture does not endorse any specific opinion shared in this podcast series.
Topic: Sexed Semen in Dairy Operations
Host: Alli Lawson
Guests: Dr. Paul Fricke and Mr. Charles Bowman
Objectives:
Students will understand the purpose and economic benefits of using sexed semen in dairy operations.
Students will compare opposing viewpoints about the cost, efficiency, and genetic implications of sexed semen technology.
Students will explain how reproductive decisions impact herd management, milk production, and long-term farm profitability.
Pre-listening Questions
1. Why do you think reproductive technology is important for dairy farmers?
2. How might sexed semen change how farmers plan their herds?
3. What challenges do you think farmers face when deciding whether to use sexed semen?
Guided Questions
1. Who expressed concern that sexed semen may not be cost-effective for all dairy operations?
A. Charlie
B. Dr. Fricke
C. Alli
D. Fair Oaks Dairy
2. Fill in the Blank:
Sexed semen increases the likelihood of producing ___________ calves.
3.Short Answer:
Why does Dr. Fricke support the use of sexed semen?
4. What is one concern the dairy producer raises about long-term consequences?A. Genomics
B. Sexed semen going away
C. Too expensive
D. Too time consuming
5. Short Answer:
What are the statistics related to sexed vs. conventional semen?
Post listening Questions
1. Explain how using sexed semen affects dairy farmers and the dairy industry.
2. Compare and contrast the arguments made by Dr. Fricke and Mr. Bowman. Which argument do you find more convincing, and why?
3. What does this situation show about the relationship between reproductive decisions and real-world impacts on dairy farming? Provide examples from the podcast.
Rubric
Level 1- 1 pt.
Level 2- 2 pt.
Level 3- 3 pt.
(points are aligned based on how they answer the post listening questions- for all 3 questions)
Ex. Describe pros and cons of large and small scale farms (8 pros and cons needed)
Level 1- only 1 pro or 1 con is listed
Level 2- only 4 pros and cons listed
Level 3- all pros and cons are listed
Summary: This episode talks about all things dairy. It explains both sides from Dr. Fricke, the researcher and collegiate professor, as well as Mr. Bowman, who has been in the dairy for an extreme amount of years and sees the very changes sexed semen is making on the farm at any given time.
11 Dec 2025
Mass Deportations of Undocumented Workers in The Agriculture Industry
Teaching Guide
Topic: Mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the agriculture industry.
Host: Matthew Sanchez
Guest: Abby Vaquerano and Windy Pinnix
Summary: Undocumented immigrants have recently drawn significant media attention, particularly regarding their impact on the agriculture industry. Opponents of mass deportation, such as Abby Vaquerano, argue that removing these workers would devastate rural communities and the many sectors connected to agriculture, including processing, distribution, and retail. On the other hand, Windy Pinnix contends that immigration enforcement is necessary to maintain a transparent and legally compliant workforce and that although the agriculture sector is reliant on these workers, automation can help to fill the void.
Objectives:
1. While listening to the podcast students will outline the differing viewpoints of Abby Vaquerano and Windy Pinnix by providing at least two arguments from each guest.
2. After listening to the podcast students will examine which states would be most affected by mass deportations by providing how many undocumented workers are in the state and what specific fields of agriculture they are being utilized in.
3. After listening to the podcast students will justify the perspective that they disagree with by describing why they disagree with it and finding two pieces of information that support the opposing view.
Pre-listening Questions (open-ended- formative)
1. How much of the agricultural labor force do you think is made up of undocumented immigrants?
2. Are undocumented workers a topic of discussion in your communities, if so how? If not why do you think that they are a topic of discussion?
3. What alternatives do you think there are to undocumented workers in agriculture?
Guided Questions
1. Short answer: How long has Mrs. Windy Pinnix been teaching agriculture?
2. Fill in the Blank: How many agricultural workers are undocumented?
Roughly or about agricultural workers are undocumented.
3. Multiple choice: What does Mrs. Abby Vaquerano believe would be a policy solution to fill a void if mass deportations were to happen?
A. Automation of agricultural jobs
B. A spike in domestic labor
C. An expansion in the H-2A visa program
D. Current policy is sufficient to handle this problem
4. Short Answer: What industry did Mrs. Abby Vaquerano mention was also heavily reliant on undocumented labor?
5. Multiple choice: What did Mrs. Windy Pinnix say she expectes the next decade of American agriculture to look like?
A. Automation of agricultural labor
B. A spike in domestic labor
C. an expansion in the H-2A visa program
D. With many farm consolidations
Post-listening Questions
1. Summarize the two differing viewpoints and provide two claims made by both sides to support their argument.
2. Using the internet, research which three states would be most affected by mass deportations by providing how many undocumented workers are in the state and what specific fields of agriculture they are being utilized in. Use and cite multiple sources of research.
State:
Field:
State:
Field:
State:
Field:
3. Identify which viewpoint you disagree with and describe why you disagree with it. Then, using the internet, find two pieces of information that support the opposing view. Use and cite multiple sources of research.
Rubric
Level 1- student answers questions without justification or evidence/ student does not cite what sources were used - 1 pt
Level 2- student answers questions with only one piece of evidence per question/ student only cites 1 source for each question - 2 pt
Level 3- Student answers questions with full information required and has at least two sources per question - 3 pt
(points are aligned based on how they answer the post listening questions- for all 3 questions)
11 Dec 2025
The ADA & its Impact on the Agricultural Industry
Topic: How the Americans with Disability Act affects members of the Agricultural Industry
Host: Karlee Dunn
Guests: Michael Shirley and Amy Olt
Summary:
The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was created in 1990 to aid people with disabilities in their jobs after the war. Now the act has expanded to cover all aspects of daily life including jobs, schools, and any public spaces. In today's episode, we explore how the ADA can be a positive impact on those with disabilities in the agriculture industry and the negative legal effects we see causing business owners to feel negatively about compliance.
Teaching Guide:
Objectives:
1. I can explain why the ADA is important to every day life for those with and without disabilities.
2. I can explain how the ADA positively influences all businesses and public spaces.
3. I can describe what negative effects the ADA can have on businesses.
Pre-listening Questions:
1. Why do you think the ADA applies to all areas of life (schools, everyday jobs, industries, public spaces)?
2. Why might business owners not want to comply to the ADA? Why might they want to comply?
3. How have you seen the ADA in play in your life?
Guided Questions:
1. What kind of vet office does Michael Shirley Co-own?
2. Why did Michael Shirley not make his vet office larger when he could have afforded it?3. What does Amy Olt do at Farm Credit Mid-America?
4. True or False: Amy has restrictions on giving loans out for people with disabilities?
5. How has Amy think the conversation about the ADA could be impacted to have a more positive light shone on it?
Post Listening Questions:
1. Each guest explained whether or not they think the conversation about the ADA could be shifted. Please briefly explain what each guest said.
2. Michael mentions in the first answer certain regulations that he falls under for compliance, please list the three he mentions separate from the ADA.
3. Amy discusses how she thinks bringing awareness to the ADA and what it can do for those who need accommodations. Briefly explain what organizations could help and how they could bring more awareness to what the ADA can do for industry workers.
Rubric for Post Listening Questions:
Level 1- 1 point: Provides little to no detail in responses, student demonstrates little to no understanding and/or comprehension of the topic
Level 2- 2 points: Provides some detail in responses, student demonstrates moderate understanding and/or comprehension of the topic
Level 3- 3 points: Provides full detail in responses, student demonstrates full understanding and/or comprehension of the topic.
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