This time on Freshly Picked, our local Mississippi chefs take us on a journey of holiday cuisine. The holidays wouldn't be the holidays without scrumptious food and loved ones to enjoy it with. Our wonderful host Claude Nash has a food-filled conversation with two amazing guests: Nick Wallace, owner of Nick Wallace Culinary and voted best Chef of Mississippi in 2020, and Tyler Alford, owner of Eudora's Mississippi Brasserie.

These cuisine connoisseurs share trade secrets from their decades long careers. The personal stories of family and home, the path of the business, the importance of connections on multiple levels, and more tasty topics meet with some holiday cheer. Their stories share the holiday spirit and some family recipes you won't want to miss.

So, if you're looking for some insider info on how to make the best family dinner, you've found the right conversation. Bring your notepad and listen to what it means to be a Mississippi chef (and then bring your notes back to your kitchen).

In this episode of Freshly Picked, we’re talking about the journey of the Mississippi farmer. From family traditions or business ventures, our Mississippi farmers are the lifeblood of Mississippi. Host Claude Nash is joined by two special guests: Wendy Ellis, the owner of Red Bird Farms in Kosciusko, MS, and Michael May of Lazy Acres in Chunky, MS.

During this conversation, our guests dive into their stories of maintaining their farms, how to pass on traditions to the next generation, and the importance of farmers and consumer being connected in their community. Personal anecdotes and business insights from both farmers show how picking the right Christmas tree for your family can help ensure Mississippi specialty crops continue to shine.

If you're a farmer yourself or looking for a few tips on how to pick out the best Christmas tree this holiday season, give this episode a listen and discover what it means to be a part of a long tradition of Mississippi specialty crops.

In this episode of Freshly Picked, host Claude Nash sits down with two special guests: Mississippi’s Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson and Leigh Bailey of Salad Days Produce. Together, they explore the importance of specialty crops like blueberries, native plants, and hydroponic lettuce in Mississippi’s agricultural landscape.

Commissioner Gipson shares how the Department of Agriculture is promoting Native Plant Month and supporting agribusiness expansions, like Salad Days’ recent groundbreaking for a 65,000-square-foot facility. Leigh Bailey gives listeners an inside look at the hydroponic farm's growth and their commitment to providing fresh, locally grown lettuces to restaurants and businesses across the region.

This episode highlights the significance of sustainable agriculture, pollinators' role in specialty crops, and ways native plants benefit both farmers and the environment. Whether you’re a gardener, foodie, or just curious about Mississippi’s agricultural innovations, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how these crops shape our local economy and community.

Tune in to Freshly Picked to discover how specialty crops—from blueberries to hydroponic greens—play a crucial role in Mississippi’s sustainable future. Find more episodes at msfreshlypicked.com or wherever you get your podcasts.