An open letter to Joe Rogan: Let’s talk agriculture

Dear Joe,

Love your show, man. Seriously. The Joe Rogan Experience podcast is one of the most intriguing and thought-provoking platforms out there. You bring on incredible guests — smart, insightful, and often groundbreaking thinkers. But there’s something missing, and I need to call it out.

Joe, we need to talk about farming.

A lot of the agricultural information shared on your podcast is, quite frankly, flat-out wrong. And I don’t think it’s entirely your fault. Many of the sponsors and guests who come on your show push narratives that benefit their bottom line — using fear and misinformation to sell their products. This is especially true for companies in the meat and supplement industries, which have a vested interest in making people believe that if they’re not buying “grass-fed,” “all-natural,” or “hormone-free,” then their food is toxic. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Farmers — regardless of size, label, or marketing claims — can and do raise animals responsibly. I’ve spent years debunking myths about hormones, antibiotics, grass-fed vs. grain-fed, and modern agricultural practices. The reality is, the food system is far more complex than the narrow, fear-driven narratives often pushed by influencers and companies with an agenda.

And it’s not just animal agriculture that gets misrepresented. Joe, you’ve also railed against modern crop farming — talking about how chemicals are “destroying the soil” or how industrial agriculture is ruining the land. But that’s simply not true. Farmers are real people with decades of expertise who care deeply about soil health and use technology, crop rotation, cover cropping, and precision applications of fertilizers and pesticides to improve it — not degrade it. The reality is that today’s farming practices are more efficient and sustainable than ever before, using fewer resources to grow more food. Modern pesticides and fertilizers are rigorously tested for safety, and farmers apply them responsibly. Without these advancements, we wouldn’t be able to feed a growing global population.

Recently, you made a post that got a lot of farmers talking:

You questioned how small-scale farms could have a bigger carbon footprint than large-scale operations. And honestly, I get it. It seems counterintuitive. But the reality is, agriculture isn’t black and white. Food production efficiency is key to sustainability, and modern large-scale farms play an essential role in feeding the world. At the same time, I doubt you — or anyone for that matter — has an issue enjoying bananas, coffee, or chocolate, all of which are grown halfway across the world. Agriculture is global, and we can’t rely solely on backyard solutions.

Myself, FarmFit Momma, Millennial Farmer Zach Johnson, and many other farmers have reached out to you, trying to have this conversation. So Joe, how do we reach you? How do we break through and have an honest, science-backed discussion about agriculture on one of the biggest platforms in the world?

If credibility matters to you, if truth matters, then this is a conversation worth having. Right now, many of your guests push fear-based misinformation that lines up with RFK Jr. (here is why this is a problem), the Food Babe crowd, and those who demonize modern agriculture while conveniently ignoring the trillion-dollar industries behind “Big Organic,” “Big Wellness,” (with very little oversight!) and “Big Natural.” These industries profit just as much — if not more — by misleading consumers as the corporations they claim to fight against.

Meanwhile, real farmers, who make up less than 2 percent of the population, are struggling to have their voices heard. Could The Joe Rogan Experience bring on a science advisory council with real experts who aren’t trying to push a specific narrative or product?

Joe, let us be heard. Let’s have a conversation. I’d love to come on your show and talk about what farming really looks like, beyond the marketing labels and fear-mongering. Visit TheFarmBabe.com and reach out — I’d love to chat.

Farmers work tirelessly to feed the world, and we deserve a seat at the table. You have an opportunity to help tell the real story of agriculture. I hope you take it.

Sincerely,
Michelle Miller
The Farm Babe

Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, is a farmer, public speaker, and writer who has worked for years with row crops, beef cattle, and sheep. She believes education is key in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.