On a special episode of The Farm Report, Erin Fairbanks is joined by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. They discuss the importance of community based farmers markets and how to solve some of the challenges facing small farmers trying to get their product on the tables of families in New York City. This episode was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

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This week on At the Root of It Erin talks to Andrew Bell, the President of the American Sommelier Association, about the process of studying to become a sommelier, the sommelier's role in the dining industry, and some inaccurate perceptions about what a sommelier wants for a diner. Erin, herself an ASA graduate, also speaks to Andrew about the process of learning to pass blind tastings, and how they shape a sommelier's sense of food and wine. This episode was sponsored by The Barterhouse: importers of fine wine.

Paul Shapiro is Katy Keiffer's guest on this week's installment of What Doesn't Kill You to talk about animal welfare and ag gag laws. Paul is the Vice President, Farm Animal Protection for the Humane Society of the United States. Shapiro's work has helped enact farm animal protection laws in California, Arizona, Michigan, Maine, Colorado, Oregon, and Ohio. He's also worked with dozens of companies, including some of the world's top retailers, to improve animal welfare in their supply chains. Find out why the meat industry is trying to blow the whistle on whistleblowers. Learn more about poultry farming practices on factory farms, and how the treatment of chickens offers many food safety considerations. Learn how the meat industry intends to stifle media outlets through ag gag laws! This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"This is problem because routine practices in the meat industry have become inhumane. This isn't just a case of a few rotten eggs!" [7:05]

-- Paul Shapiro on What Doesn't Kill You