Root of the Matter

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Memorial Day is a day we pause as a Nation to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom. Rory Williams is an Army Veteran who now farms in Marshall County. He helps remind us the importance of Memorial Day & how he’s honoring those he served with and died in […]

May 26, 2025

ROTM: Remembering Those Who Gave It All

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins recently halted all livestock imports across the border from Mexico into the United States due to a new world screwworm. This new screwworm has the potential to make livestock very sick and even kill them. Tennessee State Veterinarian, Samantha Beaty, talks about the screwworm and the efforts being done […]

May 21, 2025

ROTM: Samantha Beaty on New World Screwworm

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May 9, 2025

ROTM: Being a Mom on the Farm

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May 6, 2025

ROTM: Tennessee Small Business Person of the Year Ben Neale

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Farmers are among the highest in suicide rates in the United States. That terrible statistic has brought the subject of mental health to the forefront of the conversation within the agriculture community. Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers 2025 State Chair Lee Bagwell has made talking about mental health a priority during his year of service. […]

May 1, 2025

ROTM: Talking About Mental Health

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Apr 22, 2025

ROTM: Everyday is Earth Day on the Farm

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West Tennessee recently experienced massive flooding as well as tornadoes. John Williams and Tyler Redmon recount their experiences living through tornadoes with their families, and how they know that God protected them.

Apr 16, 2025

ROTM: Hedge of Protection

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Farmers across Tennessee are in the fields beginning to plant their 2025 crop. On this episode of we chat with Gibson County row crop farmer Brent Griggs & Executive Director of Tennessee Corn Amy McNeil about the challenges heading into this growing season and why farmers are planting more corn this year.

Apr 2, 2025

ROTM: Planting Time In Tennessee

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Each year thousands of Tennessee FFA members gather in Gatlinburg for the Tennessee FFA Convention. This year more than four thousand Tennessee FFA students gathered for the 97th annual Tennessee FFA Convention. Lee Maddox stat down with National FFA President, Thaddeus Bergschneider, who attended Tennessee’s convention as well as the newly elected Tennessee State FFA […]

Mar 27, 2025

ROTM: Blue Jackets In Gatlinburg

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All eyes remain on trade as the Trump Administration continues to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that President Trump says is being unfair to the U.S. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney has a special insight into the President’s vision to get better trade deals, as he previously served as the first USDA Under Secretary for Trade […]

Mar 19, 2025

ROTM: NASDA CEO Ted McKinney

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On this episode of Root of The Matter Lee Maddox sits down with former NFL star, Super Bowl champion, and author Michael Oher. Oher talks about persevering through his childhood growing up homeless, and accomplishing his dreams of being a successful NFL player. He also explains the importance of telling your own story and how […]

Mar 12, 2025

ROTM: Michael Oher

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Paul Binkley had a successful 45 year career with the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative. His last position with TFC before retiring was manager over the trainee program. On this episode of Root of The Matter Thomas Capps sits down with Paul to discuss his career with co-op and how he impacted the lives of many people […]

Mar 5, 2025

ROTM: Paul Binkley