Get to know the bison on a very informative episode of The Main Course as Patrick Martins explores the bovine animal with Patrick Fitzsimons, VP of Thunderheart Bison. Listen in as Patrick explains what make bison such unique (and delicious) animals and how Thunderheart Bison have genetics that trace back all the way to a herd from legendary Texas cowboy Charles Goodnight. Learn about some interesting cuts of meat unique to bison like the hump roast and discover why natural breeding is far more effective than artificial insemination when it comes to these creatures. Patrick Fitzsimmons also discusses his work with the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA), an advocate for independent farmers, ranchers, livestock owners, and homesteaders. Later in the show, Patrick Martins checks in with Peter de Garma of PastaWorks, a lovely market on Hawthorne Ave in Portland, OR. Today's program was brought to you by Rolling Press.

"Bovine animals are designed to eat grass. They aren't desgiend to be in feedlots eating grain and going straight to the slaughterhouse. If possible - they need to be harvested right in the field - where they feel the least amount of stress." 05:00

"Most bison are very docile and happy to have you around as long as you don't pose a threat to them." 14:00

--Patrick Fitzsimons, VP of Thunderheart Bison

"Portland out Portlandia's Portlandia in many Portland ways." 47:00

--Peter de Garmo of PastaWorks

This week on Straight, No Chaser host Katy Keiffer takes on the crisis of hunger with guest Anthony Butler, Executive Director of St. John's Bread and Life. Learn about how the federal cuts of the Reagan years left many people in a state of food insecurity that still lingers today and how the current Farm Bill is working its way through the Senate and could leave millions of people hungry with looming cuts to the SNAP program. Tune in to find out how, despite these challenges, Anthony and St. John's Bread and Life are helping millions of hungry New Yorkers by integrating technology, such as their innovative digital food pantry, to streamline costs and get more people fed the right food. This program is sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

" What's happening right now to SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] is that the Senate is proposing over 10 years to cut over $4.5 billion dollars in SNAP money. 40% of those who are hungry will be affected by that, that's around 800,000 families who will lose $90 a month on groceries. The biggest people who will be hurt are people who are receiving other federal subsidies, so the biggest people who will be hurt are working families and seniors."

"Food stamps supports farmers-- that's the purpose of it! This money goes back into farms. Food stamps also dramatically support local economies. "

--Anthony Butler of St. John's Bread & Life on Straight, No Chaser

What does sustainability actually mean? On the second installment of Straight From the Source, host Clay Gordon breaks down the definition into three aspects: environmental, social and economic sustainability. Learn more about commodity pricing, fair trade and yields as they relate to cocoa. What is the cost of business and who covers those costs? Who takes the financial hit? How are market prices determined for fair trade models? Clay share his perspective on the life of a cocoa farmer and raises some interesting ideas on improving their lives and communities. If you're at all interested about cocoa farming this is an episode you do not want to miss. This program was made possible by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Cocoa farming is hard work. The young generation of children on the farms are not excited about the amount of work that it takes to make a decent living. Rather than staying on the farm, they are going to the big cities. The average age of a cocoa farmer now is heading to the mid fifties - early sixties. We need to make sure the communities that the farmers live in are strong and vibrant communities with enough resources to sustain the children and make sure the families feel supported - including infrastructure like schools and medical clinics."

"Chocolate is one of the few gourmet foods where the primary ingredient is grown thousands of miles away from where the final product is produced. It's this disconnect that enables us to not really think about the plight of the cocoa farmer because it's not in our face and we don't have to pay attention to it."

--Clay Gordon on Straight From the Source