Orion Magazine has been producing thought-provoking, progressive journalism for thirty years. On this week's episode of The Farm Report, Erin Fairbanks is chatting with Orion's Outreach Director, Erik Hoffner. Tune in to hear Erik talk about the ecology-focused lens with which Orion views all sorts of social issues. Learn about the magazine's roots in New York City, and why the operation moved to Western Massachusetts. Hear Erik and Erin talk about the unknown health factors of nanotechnology, and how nanoparticles may be damaging to the environment and individual health. Learn about several of Orion's freelance contributors, and what they have to say about topics like hydrofracking and environmentalism. This program has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch.

"So many good things are happening in New York with urban agriculture, and with public art using the landscape." [11:00]

"The health of our ground water for the next hundred years is worth more than ten years of fuel." [26:10]

-- Erik Hoffner on The Farm Report

Is the 2nd Amendment under attack? On a very special episode of Wild Game Domain: From the Hunt to the Hearth, host Chad Pagano and guest Chris Griswaldi discuss gun rights in the wake of Governor Cuomo's "Safe Act" that was recently passed in New York. Tune in as they break the act down line by line and wonder if our rights as Americans are at risk due to overreaction from the government. In the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings, gun regulation has been a heated public debate, and Chad Pagano is here to offer some new perspective from his libertarian point of view. Have thoughts? Send them to the show and keep the conversation going! This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"There is a problem in this country with guns. Certain people shouldn't have guns. But the rhetoric that omes along with this argument isn't serving anybody. The NRA is partially to blame. The leftist groups that want to burn down guns and make peace symbol necklaces are partially to blame." [13:00]

"We can't regulate our way out of this problem - it's not going to work that way." [15:00]

"Stop using the term assault weapons, it doesn't exist!" [22:00]

--Chad Pagano on Wild Game Domain

On the last show of 2012, Patrick Martins hosts a special edition of "The Main Course" devoted to the concept of giving and charity. He's joined by Anthony Butler, Executive Director of St. Johns Bread & Life, a non profit organization that brings food and assistance to the poor and accompany them on their journey to wholeness by providing necessary services. Also in the studio is our very own Executive Director of HeritageRadioNetwork.org, Erin Fairbanks. Tune in for an extended conversation on the nature and practice of giving, from modern to biblical contexts. Anthony reminds us that we have an obligation to our neighbors every day, not just Christmas. Learn about some of the incredible deeds being done by people across the country and find out how you can to more to support your fellow humans. Happy Holidays everybody! This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"People need to know that our obligation to our neighbor is the other 364 days, not just Christmas." -- 05:44

"If we don't give out of what we have, we're not making any change or investment." --09:20

--Anthony Butler, Executive Director of St. Johns Bread & Life