VOA Ð CONNECT
EPISODE  74
AIR DATE  06 14 2019  
TRANSCRIPT


OPENÊ ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Horses,
((SOT))
((NATS))
((Raemia Clemons,ÊCowgirl))
I'm a little bit nervous, I'm not gonna lie, but I can do it.  I'm always nervous, but I'll be alright.
((NATS)) 
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
	Cacti,
((SOT))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
Each of these will, maybe, put out a couple thousand seeds. ÊIf one of them even germinates, that's a very lucky seed. ÊAnd then beyond that, all of the conditions have to be perfect.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
and Goats
((NATS))
((Goat Partier))  
I'm having a lot of fun.  Yeah, so I'm friends with the little white and gray one.  I don't really know the name of the goats, but it's been a good time. 
((NATS))
((Open Animation)) 


BLOCK A


((PKG))Ê BLACK RODEO 
((Banner:  Rodeo Time))ÊÊ
((Reporter/Camera:ÊÊArturo Mart’nez))Ê
((Map:ÊÊDamascus,ÊArkansas; Memphis, Tennessee)) 
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Lot of people don't realize that there truly are black cowboys and cowgirls, because you don't see them in the history books. 
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
My name is Denise Tyus.  I compete in rodeo.  It's a competitive event, gives you such an adrenaline rush.  It's like a drugless high.  It's a good thing.  You're playing in the dirt, but it's good, clean, fun that the whole family can do and enjoy.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
I've been around it just about all my life.  I actually didn't start competing until I was grown but my children have grown up around rodeo.  It helped us to teach our children about responsibility, setting some goals.  It was really something good.  It kept them out of trouble.  And then of course, my niece.  She's just been coming over and riding and I try to give her a few pointers.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
It's kind of a neat thing to be recognized as a black cowboy and a cowgirl in the area, but at the same time, there are so few.  It's one of those things that you think: oh, wow.  We're actually on our way to a friend of ours in Heber Springs, Arkansas.  Now my son and my husband, they're going to do a little steer wrestling practice.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Steer wrestling, as it's called now, was once called Bulldogging, but that event was invented by an African American cowboy by the name of Bill Pickett.  You don't see a lot of that on TV.  So, African Americans played a pretty big role in the old west.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Try to take extra good care of the animals, from the stock to the horses that we ride.  They're not being hurt during the rodeo.  If you take care of them, they enjoy what they are doing, they are really going to give you everything that they have.  You know, there's no reason to mistreat them.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
This weekend, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is going to Memphis, Tennessee.  It's just an event that portrays the cowboy and cowgirl from the African American community.
((NATS))
((Wefus Tyus,ÊCowboy))
Grandbaby stuff.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
It's like a little mini vacation.  Get an opportunity to travel with, again, my husband, children, granddaughters, my mom. 
((NATS))
((Sammy Climons, Rocking ÔCÕ Ranch))
We'll have the next rodeo this evening at seven o'clock.  But right now, I'm just doing lunch for everybody, some of my homemade sausages that I make.  Then everybody should be real good to go.  Their bellies will be full.  The horses are happy and this is what takes us to the top.
((NATS))
((Sammy Climons, Rocking ÔCÕ Ranch))
Did you try a piece of the sausage that I made?  I'm gonna let you try it.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
It's just a little more than an hour before rodeo time.  I'll hurry up and finish getting dressed.  Part of the requirements of rodeo is that you have on a long sleeve shirt, pair of boots.  Our belt buckle says a lot about what you've accomplished at rodeo and you gotta top it off with a hat.  So, pretty exciting.  It'll be loud and wild out there.
((NATS))
((Wefus Tyus,ÊCowboy))
I'm gonna be so fast, you're gonna have to be quick with your camera. 
((NATS))
((Rodeo host))
Well, ladies and gentlemen.  Are you ready to see your cowboys and cowgirls on Saturday night live?
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Right now, they're doing some calf roping and steer wrestling.  In steer wrestling, the guys jump off their horse and throw the steer down and it's a race for time.  The guy with the fastest time wins.
((NATS))
((Wefus Tyus,ÊCowboy))
My run didn't turn out the best.  Steer was getting a little strong on my arm so, I didn't really finish him good and the end result was he folded up on me and so, I just let him go. 
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Here in a minute, we're going to do some more ladies steer undecorating.  I also do an event called barrel racing.  You run a cloverleaf pattern.  It's a speed event.  You have to leave all through the barrels standing, because you can hit it as long as it stays standing, but if you knock it over, then it's a five second penalty.
((NATS))
((DeniseÕs mother,ÊCowgirl))
Go now.  Oh no.
((NATS))
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Oh man, it didn't go as well as planned.  I actually mowed the second barrel down. So therefore, I got a five second penalty.  So, no purse, no winnings today.
((NATS))
((Raemia Clemons,ÊCowgirl))
I'm a little bit nervous, I'm not gonna lie, but I can do it.  I'm always nervous, but I'll be alright.
((NATS))
Come on Raed.  Come on.  Go!!
((Denise Tyus,ÊCowgirl))
Raed, she made a nice run.  Probably one of the best runs we've ever seen her.  Just pretty proud of her right now.  Nice, everything we've been practicing, she got that done.
((NATS))
((Raemia Clemons,ÊCowgirl))
Thank you.  $198.  Third place.  It's alright.
((NATS))
((Denell Henderson,ÊCowboy))
It went pretty well, you know.  Got the win in the steer wrestling.  Finally, everything came together, horse worked good, got a good steer.  It's actually my full time job now.  So, it's a hard way to make a living but I love it, so I can't think of anything else I'd rather do.
((NATS))


TEASE  ((VO/NAT))
Coming upÉ..
((Banner))
Choosing Solitude
((SOT))
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer))
We do have a mail boat one day a week, comes up to Snake River and we can send postcards and letters.


BREAK ONE 		
BUMP IN  ((ANIM))				 


BLOCK B  
((Banner:  Every Last Penny))


((PKG))  HELLS CANYON VOLUNTEERS  
((VOA Russian))
((Banner:  Away From it All)) 
((Reporter:  Lesia Bakalets))
((Camera:  Sergey Sokolov)) 
((Adapted by:  Martin Secrest))
((Map:  Hells Canyon, Idaho))  
((NATS))
((Pop-Up Banner:  The US Forest Service allows volunteers to be temporary caretakers at Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
((NATS)) 
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
I think everybody should have the opportunity just to unplug from the rest of the world for a while.  From cell phones, Netflix streaming, computers, all of it, because there's none of that available here at all.  Our only contact to the outside world is there is the radio with the Forest Service office and a satellite phone in case of emergency.  And almost to a person when we've seen people coming in visiting, they are just so completely relaxed and glad to be away from everything else out there for a little while.
((Jane MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
Wherever you look, it is just, you know, phenomenal.
((NATS))
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
The Forest Service brings us in by jet boat with all of our supplies that we have procured and then essentially they drop you off and say, we'll see you in four weeks.
((NATS))
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
((Jane MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
What are you hoping to do this afternoon?
I think I'll read a little bit.
I want to do another round of irrigation here when everyone leaves.
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
There are daily chores.  I mean there's almost constant irrigation, because you can see we have a wide expanse of green lawn.  So, there's an irrigation pipe that runs all the way across the upper end of the property.  And at five different positions, we've got valves and hoses and sprinklers that I set out.
((NATS)) 
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
The whole water system is sort of homestead-like.  So, it requires a lot of flushing and maintenance to keep it operational.  We've got the public restrooms to clean out.  We open the museum, try to keep it tidy, you know.  Each morning, we open and each evening, we lock it.  But that's about it, and then general maintenance.
((NATS))
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
Watch out!  Yellow Jackets. TheyÕre wasps.
((NATS))
((Charley MacCrum, Volunteer, Kirkwood Historic Ranch))
I think it's good for all of us to remember where we came from.  I think in daily life, for most of us, we're just so far removed from the natural world that we forget.  We forget about Mother Earth.  We forget about, you know, our real genuine connection to the whole ecosphere.
((NATS))


((PKG))  SAGUARO CACTUS     
((VOA Russian)) 
((Banner:  Prickly Splendor))
((Reporter:Ê Daria Dieguts))
((Camera:Ê Sergey Sokolov; David Gogokhia)) 
((Adapted by:Ê Zdenko Novacki))
((Map:Ê Sonora Desert, Arizona))
((NATS))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
Most of the saguaro cactus are 35 to 40 feet (10 to 12 meters) which is a three to four story building.  They can get taller, but usually they top out right about there. 
((NATS))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
Most of them in this district, when they're about 55 or 60 years old, they'll put on their first flowers. ÊAt about 75 years, they'll put out their first arm. ÊMaybe in 150 years, they'll be at their full height with as many arms as they're going to have. ÊAnd then around 200 years is when we would expect the old cactus to start showing signs of mortality. ÊIn May is when we would start to see those big flowers. ÊThose flowers then get pollinated by bats and birds and bees. ÊIn July or so is when weÕll start to see those flowers close up and turn into that egg-shaped fruit, very similar in style to what we see in the prickly pear except that when itÕs ripe, itÕll burst open and it looks like a four petaled, bright red flower with the ball of fruit, kind of, sitting in the center of it. 
((NATS))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
The seeds themselves are very tiny, I mean, they're very tiny. ÊThey look like grains of pepper, is how big the seed is. It's very, very tiny, and not even like a whole peppercorn, like when you grind pepper.  Each of these will, maybe, put out a couple thousand seeds. ÊIf one of them even germinates, that's a very lucky seed. ÊAnd then beyond that, all of the conditions have to be perfect in order for a saguaro seedling to live. 
((NATS))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
You think about water. ÊWhen we do get rain here, it's unusual for it to rain for more than a day, day and a half.  Really, most of those rains are only a couple of hours long.  So, when the rain hits the ground that that absorbs in, it only absorbs down a couple of inches before it starts to pull out by the sun again. 
((NATS))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
They may be shallow, but there's an immense network that's under our feet and they can go out as far as they are tall.ÊÊSo, we are easily standing on these two big guysÕ roots.Ê
((NATS))
     ((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
Saguaro National Park is located in Tucson, Arizona.ÊÊThis park is actually one of the few in the United States national park system that was set aside specifically for science.ÊÊPeople wanted to understand this environment and understand this species, andÊso,Êthat was part of our enabling legislation in 1933.ÊÊ
((NATS))
((Andy Fisher, Spokesperson, Saguaro National Park))
Everything in the National Park is protected. ÊSo, we don't allow harvesting or collecting of any materials that are here in the park and that goes for cactus. 
((NATS))


TEASE  ((VO/NAT))
Coming upÉ..
((Banner))
HumansÕ Other Best Friend
((SOT))
((NATS))
((Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
Goats were the second animal domesticated after dogs.  So, despite what most people know about them, they are very social animals.


BREAK TWO									
BUMP IN  ((ANIM))				 


BLOCK C 
((Banner:  Caviar, Burgers, and Goat!!))


((PKG))  IDAHO CAVIAR FARM   
((VOA Russian)) 
((Banner:  Some like it Fresh))
((Reporter:  Lesia Bakalets))
((Camera:  Sergey Sokolov)) 
((Adapted by:  Philip Alexiou))
((Map:  Snake River, Idaho))  
((NATS))  
((Leo Ray, Founder, Fish Breeders of Idaho)) 
We donÕtÕ know a lot about this fish and youÕre not going to learn unless you do it.
((NATS))
((Leo Ray, Founder, Fish Breeders of Idaho)) 
To spawn these, we inject the female and the male with hormonesÊand we actually take the eggs by cesarean section. 
((NATS))
((Kay Knab, Sturgeon Farm Employee, Fish Breeders of Idaho))
This fish weighs 50 pounds.ÊÊFirst thing weÕre going to do is cut her open.  ThereÕs our ovary.  Going to start right here, go up underneath the ovary, and just pull it lose from the flesh, and hereÕs our first ovary.Ê This is actually a very small ovary in comparison to some.Ê I would say this fish is going to yield about a pound of caviar, maybe two.  The idea is to get it out of the fish and into the ice as quickly as possible.Ê The colder the eggs stay, the higher the quality of the caviar.Ê If you let them warm up to room temperature, you risk the caviar getting soft, which will definitely change the quality.Ê And hereÕs our second ovary.Ê The fish will be passed outside for the girls to process and filleted and then the meat will be sold in the market.Ê ItÕs a very high-quality meat and there is a good amount of request for the meat.Ê You donÕt have to push real hard.  You just roll like this, and theyÕre coming off, and theyÕre dropping down here.  
((NATS))
((Kay Knab, Sturgeon Farm Employee, Fish Breeders of Idaho))
Just wash it once.Ê I think if someone is spending 1500 dollars on a tin of caviar, theyÕre going to notice that thereÕs bits of fat in it.Ê So, the more you can remove, the better you can make it look, the better the taste will be, and the happier your customers are going to be.  
((NATS))
((Kay Knab, Sturgeon Farm Employee, Fish Breeders of Idaho))
Some people say itÕs better to let it age a while.Ê My customers love it when I sell it immediately.Ê ThatÕs what Leo was telling you about.Ê More and more customers are liking it fresh than aged.Ê It develops a stronger flavor when itÕs aged.ÊÊ 
((NATS))
((Leo Ray, Founder, Fish Breeders of Idaho)) 
We have the healthiest sturgeon population, probably in the world, and the population here in Idaho is growing every year. 
((NATS))


((PKG))  NEW AMERICAN FAST FOOD
((VOA Korean))
((Banner:  Better Fast Food??))
((Producer:  Eve Unshin Lee))
((Camera:  Sanghoon Lee)) 
((Adapted by:  Philip Alexiou))
((Map:  Washington, D.C.))
((NATS))
((Jesse Konig, Co-founder, Swizzler Foods))
We hoped that we could, sort of, set this new standard in fast food.  To serve for our inspiration for the food, we grew up and loved to eat, but today, we donÕt really get excited about going to eat there.  We know all the things that are bad for the environment, coming from, that are bad for your health, with all the documentaries and all of the things weÕre learning about nutrition.  So, weÕre trying to, kind of, bring back those flavors and those awesome food experiences that people grew up on. 
((NATS))
((Jesse Konig, Co-founder, Swizzler Foods))
ItÕs just trying to bring a lot of sourcing and transparency and just great ingredients to a food thatÕs by far the most popular in America.  Hamburgers, French Fries, Hot dogs.
((NATS))
((Avani, Customer))
I would say, I know that they are all like grass-fed base and everything, and so, I feel like economically, environmentally friendly, and also just like the service here is really, really great. 
((NATS))
((Jesse Konig, Co-founder, Swizzler Foods))
So we were, sort of, procrastinating getting normal jobs.  We werenÕt really excited about the 9 to 5, and we had this idea in college to, sort of, get money to go travel and do things after graduation.  It, sort of, inspired us to just go all in and try to get a food truck, learn more about the industry.  And since then, weÕve just been learning a ton and kind of growing as the business has grown, and I think today, we feel like we have a larger purpose and a mission.  So, itÕs exciting for us to, kind of, go and try to change the way people eat and change the way fast food works.  It has kept us busy and kept us excited. 
((NATS))
((Ethan, Customer))
Could I just get a Swizz Stack with no pickles?  Thank you so much.
((NATS))
((Ethan, Customer))
TheyÕre pretty good, they are like truffle, I donÕt know.  Some people really donÕt like truffle, but IÕm a big truffle person.
((NATS))
((Doug, Employee, Swizzler Foods))
Usually, people ask for some sort of recommendations, especially on our hotdog truck, I would say.  People are always looking for recommendations there.
((NATS)) 
((Jesse Konig, Co-founder, Swizzler Foods))
McDonalds came around 50 years ago.  There are plenty of copycats that jumped up right afterwards.  We believe that because the food that people have such a great connection to, if we can prove a business model, where not only the customers are excited and winning, our business is sustainable.  WeÕre able to do things that are sustainable for the environment as well.  Then we can, sort of, set a new standard of excellence in fast food. 
((NATS))


((PKG))  PARTIES WITH GOATS  
((Banner:  KickinÕ it with Goats))
((Reporter:  Angelina Bagdasaryan))
((Camera:  Vazgen Varzhabetyan)) 
((Adapted by:  Philip Alexiou))
((Map:  Los Angeles, California))
((NATS))
Hello babies!  
((Voice of Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
So, what we do with goats, we do parties where we bring the goats around for feeding, petting, playing with them.  
((NATS))
((Maria, Party Host))
So cute and little, oh my God, I love them.  So they're always fun and always entertaining.  First I was like, what are we going to do with goats for two hours?  But they are so entertaining that's like, oh, I wish we had them for longer. 
((NATS))
((Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
These are my third and fourth, hey, donÕt eat that.  They're my third and fourth goats.  I started my company in 2017 with my two original goats, Spanky and Pippin.  They also came from the same farm.  
((NATS))  
((Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
And the goats really exceeded my expectations.  I thought that they would be fun but I didn't realize how fun they would be.  They brought me so much joy that I thought maybe other people in Los Angeles would want to hang out with baby goats too. 
((NATS))
((Goat Partier))  
I'm having a lot of fun.  Yeah, so I'm friends with the little white and gray one.  I don't really know the name of the goats, but it's been a good time. 
((NATS))
((Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
So, yes, I started my business and through word of mouth, it's just grown and grown and now it's my full time job.  
((NATS)) 
((Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
We also do goat grams, which is something we started to do this year.  That's where we bring two baby goats and we surprise somebody and they get a little goody bag and a 30 minute visit with the baby goats.  
((NATS))  
((Scout Raskin, Founder, Party Goats LA))
Well, we also do hiking with goats.  So, if people want the goats to come on a hike with them, we do that as well.  Goats were the second animal domesticated after dogs.  So, despite what most people know about them, they are very social animals.  They love to be around people.  And a lot of people have had experience with goats before, like in their childhood, at like a petting zoo or something like that.  So, there's a bit of a nostalgia factor as well.
((NATS))

BREAK  
BUMP INÊ ((ANIM))ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ 

CLOSINGÊ ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect

SHOW ENDS