Virtual fencing is a new technology that employs GPS collars to keep animals in "virtual" pastures—so instead of using physical fences, the fence lines are drawn on a computer screen, and the collars direct the animals' movements through sound cues and mild electrical stimulation. This saves ranchers on labor and materials, allows more adaptive and…

Don Boyd spent a year on the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico, photographing, living, and finding a deep connection to land, water, and animals—including the many migrating birds that live part-time in this magical desert wetland on the Rio Grande. Boyd connected with David and Hui-Chun Johnson, and together they are…

Artist and science educator Robert Dash creates art from micro- and macroscopic photographs of food crops. His new book, Food Planet Future: The Art of Turning Food and Climate Perils into Possibilities, explores both the science of our food system and the role of art in finding a more healthy and loving way forward.…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! Disney Jollywood Nights is returning with even more magic and sparkle for its second year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! With all the charm of old Hollywood and a festive twist, this after-hours event is sure to make your holiday season merry and bright. On select nights from November 9 through Dec…

Hayley and Stephanie Painter grew up on a fourth-generation dairy farm in northern Pennsylvania, and while it was an idyllic childhood, the instability of milk prices continually threatened their family's livelihood. The sisters took it upon themselves to save the farm by creating a yogurt brand, Painterland Sisters, and in the space of two years h…

Send us a text Hey Howdy Hey Happy Platers! On today's show, we talk about some new food bites happening at Walt Disney World Parks: New menu at Peco's Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe Space 220 - new menu items beginning on Oct. 14, 2025 Haunted Eats and Treats at Disney Springs Check out Jon Self's full article on the revamped Space 220 HERE! Now Taking…

André Leu is co-founder and International Director of Regeneration International, an organization that promotes food, farming, and land use systems that regenerate and stabilize climate systems. He’s author of the books, Myths of Safe Pesticides and Poisoning our Children, and is co-author with Dr. Vandana Shiva of Biodiversity, Agroecology, and Re…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! We have a special guest for you today, Ashley Craft, the author of the Unofficial Disney Cookbooks. As a child who grew up in Anaheim, California, Ashley could recite the Star Tours ride by heart, navigate the Park without a map, and fell asleep to the sound of Disneyland fireworks each night in he…

Send us a text Greetings Happy Platers! Walt Disney World (WDW) serves millions of guests annually, and the sheer amount of food consumed is astonishing. Today we talk about some interesting statistics about the amount of food eaten at Walt Disney World parks. These statistics highlight the scale of food and beverage operations at Walt Disney World…

Environmental historian Sara Dant’s book Losing Eden traces the history of the American West from the time of elephants and camels to the near destruction of entire ecosystems—and the movement to bring nature and industry into balance.Autor: Radio Cafe, Quivira Coalition

Send us a text Welcome Back Happy Platers! Today is Part II of Dining at Universal Studios with Special Guest Jon Self focusing on the Universal Epic Universe dining. Today we have a returning special guest who is going to give us some guidance when it comes to dining at Universal Studios Orlando, theme park blogger, Jon Self. Jon has been a part-t…

Send us a text Pull up a chair Happy Platers! Today we have a returning special guest who is going to give us some guidance when it comes to dining at Universal Studios Orlando, theme park blogger, Jon Self. Jon has been a part-time writer in the fields of dining, theme parks, and faith-based issues for over ten years. He has written for theme park…

Gwen Cameron grew up on Rancho Durazno, her family's peach farm. She was pursuing a career in journalism when her father asked her if she wanted to come back and take over the farm. She agreed and never looked back; now she's running a farm that uses regenerative principles to keep the land healthy for their 40 acres of peaches, cherries, apricots,…

Send us a text The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival first began in 1996. At the time, it was a modest event—just a 30-day celebration held in the fall. But even then, it was clear that Disney had tapped into something special. The festival was designed to enhance the park's World Showcase by offering guests the chance to sample global cuisi…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! The latest announcements from D23 are game-changers for Walt Disney World, and we are thrilled to share the news with you! Let’s have some fun and see how we think this will affect the world of Disney Dining: Villains Land in Magic Kingdom New Nighttime Parade at Magic Kingdom Cars-Themed Expansion…

P. Wade Ross's great grandfather was a runaway slave who bought land in Texas. His descendants founded Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization, a non-profit that helps Black farmers and ranchers to succeed in regenerative agriculture in the face the barriers of structural racism, trauma, imposter syndrome, and the many challen…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! First up, a royal proclamation! The grand festivities of World Princess Week are nearly upon us, and you, dear listeners, are cordially invited to join in the enchantment. From August 25 through 31, the Disney Parks will be shimmering with regal fun, but the magic extends throughout the entire mont…

Send us a text Pull up a Chair Happy Platers! Today we're diving into the captivating history of character dining at the most magical place on Earth. From humble beginnings to today's must-have reservations, let's explore how dining with your favorite Disney characters became a quintessential part of the Disney experience. What is your favorite Cha…

Women have been invisible in agriculture for too long: not counted in the census, not taken seriously for their work and management achievements, excluded from access to capital and credit––and even farm equipment is not made for their bodies. We talk to Jules Salinas of Women Food and Agriculture Network, which is addressing these issues in ways r…

Send us a text Greetings Happy Platers! This past weekend, Kristi and Danae were able to spend some time at Walt Disney World. They were able to dine at some new places and revisit some others. Tony's Town Square Golden Oak Outpost Gaston's Tavern 1900 Park Fair Centertown Market - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Primo Piatto - Disney's Riviera Res…

Send us a text Today, we’re diving into the coolest topic yet—literally! We’re talking about the best foods and treats to help you beat the heat while you explore the most magical place on Earth. Whether you’re strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., venturing into the wilds of Animal Kingdom, or taking a tour around the world at EPCOT, we’ve got you c…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! Today we are diving into where to eat in EPCOT's World Showcase when there isn't a festival going on. That's right, no Food and Wine, no Flower and Garden, no Festival of the Arts —just the incredible, year-round dining experiences that make EPCOT a culinary paradise. Whether you're a first-time vi…

Doug Fine was an international journalist before he moved to New Mexico to start a polyculture farm and embrace a rural way of life. He's the author of six books, including four on hemp and cannabis, and his film American Hemp Farmer won Best New Mexico Documentary Feature at the 2024 Santa Fe Film Festival. He's a vociferous advocate for hemp as a…

Send us a text Hello Happy Platers! Attention all food enthusiasts! Flavors of Florida presented by CORKCICLE is back at Disney Springs, promising a menu that will make your taste buds dance with delight. From July 1 through August 11, 2024, you can indulge in must-try items at over 40 flavor-filled locations across Disney Springs. This year, Disne…

Sarah Wentzel-Fisher is executive director of Quivira Coalition. A native of South Dakota, she came to her work in agriculture and leadership via a circuitous path that included the creative arts, writing, community and regional planning, collective problem-solving. In this podcast we discuss everything from the purpose of scientific inquiry in reg…

Send us a text Seasons Greetings Happy Platers?! We are officially 1/2 way to the Christmas & Holiday Season...why do we feel like we missed the first half of the year? Walt Disney World has announced the holiday line up for entertainment & seasonal fun: Jollywood Nights are back at Hollywood Studios with dates Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party p…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! Today we are going to catch up on some limited-time treats that mark the celebration of some new and old Disney favorites. Tiana's Bayou Adventure Treats Lion King's 30th Anniversary Delights EPCOT Communicore Plaza Festival Delights Now Taking Reservations for the Chef's Table on our private Faceb…

Phoebe Suina grew up on Cochiti and San Felipe Pueblos in New Mexico, where she learned about land, water, and cultural values and practices from her extended family and community. With advanced degrees in engineering and management from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, she returned to New Mexico to found High Water Mark, a Na…

Send us a text Pull up a chair Happy Platers! On today’s show, we are going to take a step back in time and look at the history of dining in Disneyland with a focus on one particularly swashbuckling eatery, Blue Bayou. This immersive dining experience opened on March 18, 1967, and was the first restaurant ever to be built inside a ride attraction a…

Send us a text Greetings Happy Platers! Our recent shows have been all about Disney food facts and behind-the-scenes info. We're keeping that theme going with a segment called "Did you know?” Do you know of some fun Disney Food Facts? Let us know! Now Taking Reservations for the Chef's Table on our private Facebook Page called "The Happy Platers* m…

A decade ago, filmmaker Peter Byck assembled a group of scientists who were looking at agriculture from a whole-system perspective to study regenerative and conventional grazing side by side. The result is an extraordinary new documentary, Roots So Deep You Can See the Devil Down There. It's a fascinating and enormously entertaining journey into th…

Send us a text Welcome to the Table Happy Platers! Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most fascinating aspects of Disney’s food operations: the Flavor Lab. This behind-the-scenes powerhouse is responsible for nearly every new restaurant, dish, and drink at Disney theme parks worldwide. Let’s dive into this incredible facility's str…

Send us a text Pull Up Chair Happy Platers! On today's show, we talk about Disney's Culinary Harvest Program. This is a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, benefiting more than 40 Orlando-area nonprofits such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, day care centers, and Kids Cafes. Click here for…

Send us a text Hey Howdy Hey Happy Platers! We are BACK...apologies again for our complete technical failure last week. It was a social experiment we will definitely try again. On the menu this week: Dates released for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Dates: Aug. 29th - Nov. 23rd The menus for Disney's …

Seed Savers Exchange is a small non-profit that's making a big difference. For a half century, they've been saving seeds, getting them out into gardens, telling their stories––and cultivating biodiversity that has been badly diminished with the rise of corporate agriculture and seed production. Located in Decorah, Iowa, Seed Savers has a large farm…

Dirt Capital Partners takes a "slow money" perspective on investing, helping farmers get land access and regenerate not only the soil but also their communities. Their goal is to not only transform how agriculture is done in the US, but how investing itself is done, by focusing on the real impact of investment, and the good––or harm––that it does t…

Send us a text Greetings Happy Platers! Today we celebrate Victoria & Albert's receiving their first Michelin Star and the installation of Smellephants on Parade, presented by Scentsy in Storybook Circus. Will you be signing up as a "Whiff-sistant"? Now Taking Reservations for the Chef's Table on our private Facebook Page called "The Happy Platers*…

Send us a text Ahoy Happy Platers! On today’s menu, we are finishing up our series about dining at WDW Resorts to give you a breakdown of all the dining and lounge options available. We started this with value resorts on show 203, the moderates on 206, and the Deluxe on 212, 216, 220, 237, and 243. Our last Deluxe Resort is Disney’s Yacht Club. Wha…

Matt Skoglund grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, went to law school, and for ten years worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council doing policy work to protect bison in Yellowstone. Always happy in the outdoors and with an interest in both hunting and conservation, he started a bison ranch in 2018 near Bozeman, Montana. North Bridger Bisonis a…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! Traveling in large groups to Walt Disney World poses unique challenges, particularly when it comes to securing dining reservations. Today we discuss some strategies to enhance your chances of getting the dining experiences you desire for your group and list the WDW restaurants that can accommodate …

Will Harris's ranch, White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, has been in the Harris family for over 150 years. His ancestors had a polyculture farm, but when industrial tools came to ranching, his father, and then Will, went all in––corporate ranching allowed their family to make a good living. But one day, in a life-changing moment of clarity, Ha…

Send us a text Pull up a Chair Happy Platers! On today's show, we gather up some Disney Food Bites: Character Breakfast returning to Disney's Vero Beach Resort Celebrate Earth Month in Disney's Animal Kingdom Parks & Resort Season of the 4th begins on April 5th in Disneyland Park Eagerly awaiting sponsorships for our Disneyland Trip! May the force …

Send us a text Hey Happy Platers! We all know that Disney does theming extremely well. It is often so good; that we get completely lost trying to absorb all of it. That goes for the restaurants too…sometimes we miss out on the meal trying to discover all of the hidden easter eggs and décor references. Today we will talk about some eateries that do …

Send us a text Greetings Happy Platers! On today’s menu, we are continuing our series about dining at WDW Resorts to give you a breakdown of all the dining and lounge options available. We started this with value resorts on show 203, the moderates on 206 and started the Deluxe on 212, 216, 220, and 237. Today we continue with the next 2 deluxe reso…

Austin Frerick grew up in Iowa, which in his youth had a robust regional food system that offered abundant produce and meat from family farms. But because of one "baron"––that's the name Frerick calls the men whose monopolistic corporations profoundly reshape markets and communities––rural areas were hollowed out, farmers were driven off their farm…

Send us a text Welcome to the table Happy Platers! Today's show is a serving of Disney Food News: Revision to the dining reservation system on desktop and app 1900 Park Fare Menu released “Sip, Savor & Stroll” Event - Patina Restaurant Group March 21st Disney Springs Click here for tickets to the Sip, Savor & Stroll Now Taking Reservations for the …

In 1985 Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young organized a concert to benefit farmers and spread awareness of the crisis U.S. farmers were facing. The concert raised $7 million and spread awareness across the country. Since then Farm Aid has become a force advocating for farmers, promoting healthy, farm-grown food, providing a hotline and r…

Send us a text Greetings Happy Platers! On today's show, join us for a live recording of all the food we tried at the International Flower and Garden Festival. Filled with all the background sounds and music, it is just like you were there with us. Special thanks to Happy Plater, Brandi K. who joined us at the table and trash cans! Now Taking Reser…

Send us a text What's Blooming Happy Plater?! The Flower and Garden Festival, now a classic springtime tradition, had humble beginnings in 1994 as a simple seasonal display garden featuring a few Disney characters. Before the introduction of fancy food stalls and entertainment, the event primarily showcased small floral arrangements and meticulousl…

Send us a text Hey Howdy Hey Happy Platers! We have a special guest at the table today, Jon Self, a member and frequent contributor to the Happy Platers community. Jon, a freelance writer specializing in theme park foods in the Orlando area, has made significant contributions to more than 16 different sites and blogs. We're thrilled to welcome Jon …