Farms & Frontlines – Episode 23: Reimagining Agriculture in the Wake of American Wars

In this episode, hosts Max Terzano and Jessica Rudo unpack their latest project, a paper titled Farms & Frontlines: Reimagining Agriculture in the Wake of American Wars. They explore how successive U.S. conflicts from World War I to today have profoundly shaped farming practices, food policy, and global agriculture.

• World War I innovations: The military's early use of motorized tractors and tracked vehicles led to mechanized farming, while conservation efforts began after the Dust Bowl and Great Depression.

• The New Deal & Farm Bills: Jessica and Max trace how FDR’s Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 and the 1938 Farm Bill introduced soil conservation programs and targeted subsidies—planting soy, reducing erosion, and stabilizing prices.

• World War II mobilization: War sparked mass food production for troops, innovations in canning, transportation, and even deliberately flavorless emergency rations.

• Military-industrial spillovers: Post-war, chemical agents—from Nazi Zyklon B to Bayer‑Monsanto pesticides like Agent Orange and Roundup—found a new home in U.S. agriculture.

• Cold War soft power: With surplus production, the U.S. used agricultural aid (Public Law 480, “Food for Peace”) and the Green Revolution to influence developing nations and counter communist appeal.

• Looking ahead: Building on past tools, the hosts suggest a “new green revolution” or even a “green devolution” that combines stewardship of soil and climate resilience with innovative tech and Indigenous and Black agrarian traditions.

Max and Jessica close by teasing the rest of their paper, including “The Great Grain Robbery”. America’s massive grain shipments to Russia in the 1970s and its geopolitical and economic fallout.

Join them as they trace the battlefield-to-backyard pipeline, from military needs to modern food policy, and reimagine how we can turn agricultural innovation toward regenerative, climate‑friendly futures.

We're back from our siesta and diving straight into the dirt, literally. In this episode of Farms & Frontlines, we break down the documentary Common Ground and explore the regenerative farming practices it champions. What does regenerative agriculture actually mean? Why are farmers, activists, and even celebrities rallying behind it? And why is Big Ag feeling the pressure?

We trace the roots of regenerative farming through Indigenous land stewardship and Black agrarian traditions, spotlighting figures like George Washington Carver and movements like Soul Fire Farm. We also examine how regenerative methods contrast with industrial agriculture, from no-till planting to rotational grazing, and what this means for soil health, climate resilience, and food security.

And yes, we talk about the farm lobby’s surprising reactions, the tangled relationship between chemical companies and government, and the deeply interconnected systems that shape the way we grow our food. Plus: pirates, Ellis Island hangings, and the first recorded guacamole recipe from 1697...because why not?

Whether you're soil-curious or farm-bill fluent, this is an episode that digs deep.

In this episode of Farms & Frontlines, Max and Jess dive into the world of government cheese, the shadowy influence of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and how big dairy bailed out Domino’s—ultimately making fast food cheesier than ever. From surplus milk turning into mountains of processed cheese to behind-the-scenes marketing deals that pushed extra dairy into fast food menus, we break down how corporate and government forces shaped what’s on your plate.

Is it a dairy industry success story, or just another example of corporate welfare? Tune in as we pull back the curtain on the cheesiest scheme in food history.

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In this episode, David Michel joins us to discuss CSIS's newest upcoming podcast Hidden Depths. The show is dedicated to water security, where David is joined by a number of experts who discuss all manner of topics, including conflict, cybersecurity, diplomatic relations, and more. Tune in now for a sneak peak at this exciting project!

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On this episode of Farms & Frontlines, Max and Jess sit down with Dr. Vitalii Dankevych, (Dean of the Faculty of Law, Public Administration, and National Security at Polissia National University in Ukraine) to examine the state of Ukraine’s agrarian economy amid war. As one of the world’s top food producers, Ukraine’s farmlands have become battlefields—facing blockades, infrastructure destruction, and the constant threat of attacks.

How are farmers adapting to Russia’s invasion? What does it mean to grow food in a hybrid war? And how is this conflict reshaping global food security?

Join us as we explore the resilience of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, the struggles of those working the land, and what the future holds for food production in a nation under siege.

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The recent bird flu epidemic has sent shockwaves through the agricultural industry, driving up the price of eggs, poultry, and other staple foods. In this episode of Farms & Frontlines, we break down the impact of the outbreak, how farmers are coping, and what this means for consumers at the grocery store.

We also welcome back David Voorman to explore how alternative proteins, whether plant-based or lab-grown, could help ease the burden and create a more resilient food system. Could this crisis be the push needed to accelerate innovation in food production? Join us as we dig into the challenges, the solutions, and the future of protein in a changing world.

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We're back! After a long break, your hosts return to dive into the fascinating history of the Panama Canal, one of the most critical waterways in the world. If you've been following the news, you’ve probably heard a lot about it lately. But why is it such a big deal?

Join us as we unpack the canal’s past, its impact on global trade, and the reasons it’s making headlines today. Let’s get into the who, what, and why behind Panama’s most famous shortcut!

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In this episode of Farms & Frontlines, Max and Jess uncover the rich and complex history of Thanksgiving in the United States.

They dig into the iconic "First Thanksgiving" of 1621, exploring what foods might have graced the table and asking the critical question: was the Wampanoag tribe truly invited?

The hosts then journey through history to highlight how Thanksgiving evolved, touching on George Washington's inaugural Thanksgiving proclamation and Abraham Lincoln's declaration during the Civil War. Finally, they shine a spotlight on Sarah Josepha Hale, the tenacious woman known as the "Mother of Thanksgiving," whose efforts helped shape the holiday as we know it today.

Join us for a thought-provoking blend of history, food, and the stories behind one of America’s most celebrated traditions!