Ep 241 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara kick off 2026 with viral conspiracies, bucking bulls in Manhattan, and giant potato drops. A fear-mongering reel claims grocery store rice is actually plastic pellets — and people are buying it. The hosts debunk the conspiracy while highlighting a real rice crisis: Louisiana farmer Meryl Kennedy's White House meeting with President Trump about subsidized foreign rice undercutting American growers. Then, it's PBR week in New York City as Madison Square Garden t...
Ep 241 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara kick off 2026 with viral conspiracies, bucking bulls in Manhattan, and giant potato drops.
A fear-mongering reel claims grocery store rice is actually plastic pellets — and people are buying it. The hosts debunk the conspiracy while highlighting a real rice crisis: Louisiana farmer Meryl Kennedy's White House meeting with President Trump about subsidized foreign rice undercutting American growers. Then, it's PBR week in New York City as Madison Square Garden transforms with 750 tons of dirt for three days of professional bull riding sandwiched between Knicks games. Plus, Taylor Sheridan's Landman inspires a TCU land management class, and Apple Girl Kate joins Mike Rowe and Theo Von for a Made-in-USA gift guide special.
Finally, Boise rings in 2026 by lowering a 17-foot fiberglass potato — because who needs a ball drop when you can celebrate agriculture? The hosts explore quirky New Year's traditions from chili drops to atomic bombs across America, plus Dutch donut recipes, Tara's bucking bull dreams, and whether Theo Von is shooting his shot with Apple Girl Kate.
What We Discovered This Week 🤠
🪩 Plastic rice conspiracy & the real crisis facing American rice farmers
🪩 PBR's 750-ton dirt transformation at Madison Square Garden
🪩 Landman inspires education (but land management degrees already exist)
🪩 Mike Rowe & Theo Von's Made-in-USA holiday gift guide ft. Apple Girl Kate
🪩 Idaho's giant potato drop & America's quirkiest New Year's traditions
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro: Plastic Rice, PBR in NYC, Landman & New Year's Potatoes
02:02 Discovery 1: The Plastic Rice Conspiracy Going Viral (It's Fake)
04:20 Fear-Mongering for Profit: The Cult Vibes of Fake Food Content
07:19 Real Rice Crisis: Meryl Kennedy's White House Visit
08:03 $12 Billion Bailout Discussion & Fair Trade vs Handouts
12:26 Comment Section Backlash: Why Farmers Can't Win
18:33 Discovery 2: PBR Takes Madison Square Garden (750 Tons of Dirt!)
19:44 Tara's Bucking Bull Dreams & Subconscious Shopping Decisions
22:00 The 24-Hour Venue Transformation That Will Blow Your Mind
27:51 PBR Schedule, World Finals & The Next Gen Youth Showcase
29:40 Discovery 3: Landman Inspires TCU Class (But Land Management Already Exists)
36:25 Disco Debrief: Apple Girl Kate Meets Mike Rowe on Theo Von Podcast
39:00 Direct-to-Consumer Magic: Supporting American Makers
42:00 Smithy Cast Iron, Danelle's Candies & The Oddly Sweet Dolls
46:00 Discovery 4: Idaho's Giant Potato Drop & Quirky New Year's Traditions
48:05 Chili Drops, Taco Bells & Atomic Bombs: America's Wildest Celebrations
52:41 Dutch Donuts, Spanish Grapes & Denmark's Plate-Throwing Tradition
54:22 Wrap-up: Happy New Year Discos & What's Coming on Discover Ag on the Road
🪩 WELCOME TO DISCOVER AG
A top-ranked podcast where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by https://instagram.com/nataliekovarik/?hl=en — western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher — and https://instagram.com/taravanderdussen/?hl=en — sustainability expert & millennial dairy farmer. Every week, we dive into the top headlines in food, agriculture, and Western culture with a pop culture twist.
📲 CONNECT WITH US ONLINE
• Website: https://discoverag.com/
• Podcast: https://pod.link/1615443750
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/discoveragpodcast/#
🤝 PARTNERS AND SPONSORSHIPS
PONCHO OUTDOORS Code "DISCOVER" $10 Discount
GROUNDED JOURNAL Code "DISCOVER"
MARY T FABER Bookkeeping Services for Rural Entrepreneurs
OUR FARMS Code "DISCOVER" 10%
ARMRA COLOSTRUM SUPPLEMENT Code "DISCOVER" 15% off (first order)
SWEETWATER PILLOWS Code "DISCOVER" for a free tote
TOUPS & CO Use link for 20% off
FARM WIFE TALLOW Code "DISCOVER" 10% off
TURTLEBOX OUTDOOR SPEAKERS Code "DISCOVER" free hat
COZY EARTH Code "DISCOVER" 40% off
SUNRISE FLOUR MILL Code "DISCOVER" 10% off
DUCKWORTH Code "DISCOVER" 10% off
Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
