Podcasts about ffa

You can't complain when a farm goes up for sale if you're not supporting the farmer. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is back on the Zooms with her Frederick County Homesteader friends — Sam Armel (founder of Frederick County Homesteaders), Jaclyn Mommen (Laurel Grove Wine Farm and Patti's Place), and Kristin Tesdall (Five Roots Farm) — to talk about the inaugural Love Your Farmer Week, June 14th through 20th, and why this hands-on volunteer week is built around the busiest, most stressful stretch of a farmer's year. The conversation moves from the practical (how to sign up as a volunteer or a host farm, what kinds of jobs are on the docket, why mobility and age aren't barriers) into bigger territory: the late-frost destruction of vineyards and orchards, the misconceptions about crop insurance, the largest farmland transfer in American history happening right now, why the average farmer is 58–64 years old, and how regenerative agriculture is really just remembering what our grandparents already knew. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Why Love Your Farmer Week is hands-on, not a farm tour (01:00) The dates, the time slots, and the Google forms — built for everyone from kids to elders (02:00) Why now? Because this is the busy season — and the season when farmers feel most behind (03:30) A frost-damaged spring, lavender beaten down by rain, and what farmers are really up against (05:00) Why crop insurance isn't the safety net most people think it is (06:30) Jaclyn's actual yesterday: market, vineyard, interns, dinner, then biological treatments 'til 1:30 AM (08:30) Animals don't keep a schedule — Kristin's escaped sheep and milking routine (10:30) The origin story — how 2020 grocery shortages launched Frederick County Homesteaders (13:30) Skill shares, sauerkraut, and the Snowden Bridge moms group (15:00) What Kristin needs help with — skirting fleeces, processing wool, and education (16:30) What Jaclyn needs help with — mulching pathways, weeding, and the new market garden (18:30) Five farms signed up so far — and why "small and well-loved" is the right start (19:30) The hidden labor — books, taxes, websites, social media on top of everything else (20:30) The largest farmland transfer in U.S. history is happening right now (21:30) Younger farmers, smaller acreage, and Geraghty's Microfarm as a model (23:30) "Feed your community, not the world" — and why 20-acre farms are the future (24:30) Regenerative ag isn't new — it's what our grandparents did before chemical agriculture (27:00) Where to find Patti's Place and Laurel Grove Wine Farm (28:30) Where to find Five Roots Farm (29:00) Where to sign up — for volunteers and for host farms (30:30) Spring Farm Hop recap and what's next ABOUT LOVE YOUR FARMER WEEK A new initiative from Frederick County Homesteaders, running June 14–20, 2026, where community members can sign up to volunteer directly on participating local farms during the height of harvest-prep season. Designed to accommodate civic groups, businesses, 4-H and FFA chapters, church groups, homeschool co-ops, families, and individuals — with time slots and tasks suited to all ages and mobility levels. Five farms are signed up for year one; first-come, first-served as volunteers register. HOW TO GET INVOLVED • Volunteer — sign up via the Love Your Farmer Week page at frederickcountyhomesteaders.com (search "Love Your Farmer Week") • Host farm — local farms, homesteads, markets, and vineyards can still sign up through June 5 • Need help figuring out what your farm could offer? Reach out to Frederick County Homesteaders directly — they'll help brainstorm LINKS & RESOURCES • Frederick County Homesteaders: frederickcountyhomesteaders.com (volunteer + host farm sign-ups on the Love Your Farmer Week page) • Laurel Grove Wine Farm & Patti's Place: laurelgrovewinefarm.com • Patti's Place hours: Wed–Sun 10–4 (Sun 11–4) • Café Thu–Sun 11–3 • Patti's Place on Instagram: @pattisplace_lgwf • Laurel Grove Wine Farm on Instagram: @laurelgrovewinefarm • Five Roots Farm: fiverootsfarm.com • Five Roots Farm on Facebook: Five Roots Farm • Five Roots Farm on Instagram: @_fiverootsfarm_ • Five Roots self-service farm stand: open 7 days, 9 AM–dusk • Five Roots at Stephens City Farmers Market: second Saturday of each month THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday  

Ms Alicia Cantrell has an exciting VBS planned at Roellen Baptist Church in Roellen, TN, this coming June 8-12, 2026. Be sure to listen to see how your children can sign up. Timeline of conversation:1:00 How did the idea for this Vacation Bible Study(VBS) evolve?2:00 FFA, 4-H are Heart of Champions.4:00 Some of the scheduled activities during VBS.5:00 How to sign up for VBS 6:30 Ways to volunteer.8:00 Volunteer training on June 2 at 5:30 at Roellen Baptist Church .9:00 Conclusion

On Saturday evening in Wausau, Anastasia Poull was introduced as the 79th Alice in Dairyland. Poull holds 3 degrees from South Dakota State University along with 2 minors. She tells Bob Bosold a little bit more about herself, and what she imagines she might focus on as the states next agriculture ambassador. DATCP also announced that Milwaukee County will host the 80th annual Alice in Dairyland Finals, May 13-15, 2027.Windy, wet conditions will greet you on a Monday. Stu Muck says temps will stay above average, but so will the chance of light rain. Not so fast! Although Anastasia Poull may have been introduced as the next Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow still has some work to do. Hagenow explains how grateful she is for the chance to hold the position through June Dairy Month, and has a little advice for any person considering applying for the job next. For many rural citizens, going to the mailbox everyday is part of their routine. Unfortunately, the poor financial performance by the U.S. Postal Service could put that letter service at risk. Ian Lee is an associate professor in Canada that's using their federal mail service as an example of what could come. Lee says the Canada Post is bleeding money, with fee answers on how to keep the service viable beyond next March.In this episode, Portage, Waushara, and Wood County Board Director Stephanie Hughes highlights how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is shaping the next generation through youth and school initiatives. We dive into key partnerships with the FFA and WIAA, including DFW’s role in sponsoring high-level agricultural competitions and being the official beverage of Wisconsin high school sports. Plus, discover the massive impact of the "Adopt a Cow" program, which connects over 55,000 students across rural and urban classrooms with life on the farm. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. Paid for by DFW. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The benefit ‘Cars With A Cause' car show in Hawthorne benefits the FFA program at Hawthorne High School. The event is Saturday 9-noon at Eden Baptist Church in Hawthorne

In this episode, Portage, Waushara, and Wood County Board Director Stephanie Hughes highlights how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is shaping the next generation through youth and school initiatives. We dive into key partnerships with the FFA and WIAA, including DFW’s role in sponsoring high-level agricultural competitions and being the official beverage of Wisconsin high school sports. Plus, discover the massive impact of the "Adopt a Cow" program, which connects over 55,000 students across rural and urban classrooms with life on the farm. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Alamo Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association will hold its 2026 Sporting Clay Shoot on Saturday, May 23, at the National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Road in San Antonio. Registration for the shooting competition will start at 8 a.m., and shooting will begin at 9 a.m. Entry fee is 0 per five-person team. Shooters must provide their own gun, ammunition, and eye and ear protection. 4-H and FFA shooters can compete for highest overall and team awards. Funds raised from the event by the chapter, a nonprofit veterans service organization, will support Marines and their families through scholarships... Article Link

The Alamo Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association will hold its 2026 Sporting Clay Shoot on Saturday, May 23, at the National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Road in San Antonio. Registration for the shooting competition will start at 8 a.m., and shooting will begin at 9 a.m. Entry fee is 0 per five-person team. Shooters must provide their own gun, ammunition, and eye and ear protection. 4-H and FFA shooters can compete for highest overall and team awards. Funds raised from the event by the chapter, a nonprofit veterans service organization, will support Marines and their families through scholarships... Article Link

May 11, 2026 - Dr. Juanita Morris joined Byers & Co to talk about graduations in her programs and in her own family, plans and activities for the FFA building and ag program, and partnerships in education. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

..at crime, murder, and stealing! PLUS, Robert Steinbuch, Professor of Law at University of Arkansas - Little Rock, discusses President Trump's realignment of foreign policy and the importance of the realignment to the West and Israel. Reinette Senum, President and Founder of GenSeven and SaveOurSkies.org, and Leslie Manookian, President and Founder of Health Freedom Defense Fund, tell Shaun about their petition to the EPA and FFA demanding answers and a call-to-action about geoengineering and experimenting on American citizens from the skies. And our National Anthem: sung by Reba McEntire!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica reflects on her career path and FFA experience - thanks for joining the show, Jessica!

This week on FFA Friday:- A new soils event at Red Wing High School- End-of-year FFA events

Golf is far more than a cherished pastime, it's an immense economic engine, source of jobs and, perhaps surprisingly, an awesome way to learn about science, math and many other vital subjects.The First Green program from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GSCAA) makes this all possible. “I hear teachers saying things like ‘Hey guys, look at this. This is what I'm teaching you in class, but this is how you apply it in real life,” remarked Dave Phipps, former superintendent and one of the organization's nine regional representatives.Dave is part of a team passionately working in First Green; connecting students with many relevant topics and making them aware of future job opportunities. A growing area of focus is working with the more than one million FFA students in the U.S. 

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) welcomes Kristy Meyer of the National FFA Organization for a conversation about the future of agriculture—and the young leaders shaping it.Founded in 1928, the National FFA Organization has grown into one of the largest youth leadership groups in the country, now serving more than one million students nationwide. Meyer shares how FFA has evolved beyond its roots as Future Farmers of America to reflect the full scope of modern agriculture, including science, technology, sustainability, and global food systems.As Communications Manager, Meyer plays a key role in amplifying the stories and successes of FFA members. She discusses how the organization prepares students for over 300 career paths through its unique model combining classroom learning, hands-on agricultural experiences, and leadership development.Doug and Kristy also explore the importance of agricultural education in everyday life, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear, and how FFA is building the next generation of leaders who will help feed, fuel, and clothe the world.The FFA is cultivating confidence, character, and career readiness in young people across America, and its mission is more relevant today than ever.Learn more of AFF.org.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

South Dakota's swine industry is growing fast. Minnesota farmers are running for the Legislature. Opinions about a proposed dairy expansion. Meet members of the newest FFA chapter in South Dakota.

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann sit down with Patrick T. Grady, a veteran entertainer, humorist and the keynote speaker at this summer's Carol Martin Gatton Leadership Training Center. Patrick shares his journey from a Florida 4-H and FFA member to a career as a professional speaker, detailing how his roots in agricultural education shaped his life.Links:Patrick T. GradyUniversity of Florida College of Agricultural and Life SciencesCarol Martin Gatton Leadership Training Center

Mary Lewandowski and her older brother are the sixth generation on their family's dairy farm in Bevent, Wisconsin. After some reflection about her time growing up on a dairy farm and needing an FFA project, she turned to writing her very first children's book entitled "Welcome to My Farm." Throughout the story, she acts as a tour guide of her family's dairy farm with a story that features actual photos of the farm itself. Mary sits down with Kiley Allan to tell the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month on Feeding Traditions, host Mary Jane Arnette sits down with Claire Hill, Executive Director of the Tennessee Farmers Co-op Foundation, whose work is centered around investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.From her own roots in FFA to her role today, Claire shares how her passion for serving others has shaped her career and continues to drive the mission of the foundation. Through programs like Round & Raise, Co-op scholarships, the Case Knife program, and Auction Barn, she gives insight into how the Co-op is supporting youth, strengthening communities, and making a lasting impact across Tennessee—including stepping in to support disaster relief efforts when communities need it most.Claire also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the foundation's work and why investing in young people—through leadership, opportunity, and connection—matters now more than ever.Join us for a conversation about purpose, community, and what it really means to carry traditions forward.

April 20, 2026 - Dr. Juanita Morris joined Byers & Co to talk about exceptional local women, graduations for students and her own children, and activity at the FFA ag building. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob is in Ames today at the 98th annual Iowa FFA Leadership Conference! He is joined by three FFA members and by Tom Adam, President of the Iowa Soybean Association! ISA is proud to sponsor today's reports from the FFA Leadership Conference! We'll also talk markets with Jamey Kohake and get the latest from the Steffes Group with Mason Holvoet!

Kaid Panek didn't grow up in Idaho—but today, he's helping shape the voice of modern ranching from the ground up. In this episode, we sit down with Kaid to talk about his journey from a small-town upbringing in Utah to building a family-run ranching operation at Gem Valley Cattle in Southeast Idaho. Alongside his father-in-law and with his kids deeply involved in livestock showing through FFA and 4-H, Kaid represents what many in agriculture are striving for—building a legacy while raising the next generation. But Kaid's impact doesn't stop at the ranch gate. With a growing social media presence and his role as a brand strategist and content creator, he's become a relatable voice for rural families, livestock show parents, and the broader ag community. From fundraising for youth livestock projects to co-hosting the Small Town Ruckus podcast, Kaid is helping bridge the gap between agriculture and the outside world through storytelling, humor, and authenticity. This episode dives into the realities of modern ranch life, the importance of community, and how telling your story might be one of the most powerful tools in agriculture today. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kris Nagel and her husband Mark live in Alhambra, Illinois with their son Peyton where they raise Red Angus cattle. Kris is a pharmacist currently working for Walgreens and has been in management for more than 30 years. She has been a volunteer for many youth organizations over the past 25 years including Boy Scouts, FFA, numerous youth sports teams and was the Jr Advisor for the Illinois Red Angus Association. Kris attended her first NAJRAE in 2016 in Springfield, IL and hasn't missed one since. As Jr Advisor Kris hopes to utilize her management skills and passion for our youth to build future leaders in our organization and industry. When asked about why her role is important to her she said, "Maybe I can't change the world, but I think I can change someone's world, and that's all that matters to me."!Empowerment Is Here.

Hayden Stubbs is the daughter of Becky and Darrell Vandike and Adam and Jill Stubbs of Wallace, Kansas. Together with her family, they raise a herd of registered Red Angus cattle. Hayden is a freshmen  at Butler Community College, pursuing a degree in Agriculture Education while being a member of the Livestock Judging Team. She is excited to share her passion of the industry with ehr future students and the FFA members! Empowerment Is Here.

FFA and 4-H students had the opportunity to attend Preds Ag Night on Monday. The evening began with a career panel featuring professionals from a variety of agricultural fields and concluded with students attending the Predators game. It was a fun and engaging night that gave students the chance to learn more about potential careers in the agriculture industry.

The April 8 episode of AgNet News Hour featured a conversation with longtime Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Tricia Stever Blattler, highlighting her nearly two-decade career supporting agriculture and the critical role local farm bureaus play in advocating for farmers across California. Blattler, who has spent 19 years leading the Tulare County Farm Bureau, discussed the scope and importance of agriculture in one of the most productive regions in the country. With over one million acres of irrigated farmland and a dairy industry valued at more than $1 billion, Tulare County remains a cornerstone of California agriculture. “We are the largest dairy county in America,” she said. “We create a lot of milk and a lot of products for milk in this county.” Her role has placed her at the center of key agricultural conversations, from local issues like land use and water access to broader challenges tied to regulation and policy. She emphasized that farm bureaus serve as a vital bridge between farmers and decision-makers. “If you have a question about your land use or a water question… you can call your local Farm Bureau and get some form of assistance,” Blattler explained. Beyond advocacy, she highlighted the importance of community and education within agriculture. Programs like FFA and 4-H continue to shape future leaders, though she noted challenges in maintaining a strong pipeline of agricultural educators. “The number of ag teachers entering the pipeline is getting smaller and smaller,” she said, pointing to retention challenges within the profession. As California prepares for a new governor, Blattler stressed the importance of leadership that understands rural communities and agriculture's role in the state's economy. “Anytime rural communities… can have better representation in Sacramento, I think everyone in agriculture would see that as a win,” she said. Blattler also reflected on her personal journey, growing up in an agricultural family in Exeter and building a career rooted in service to the farming community. Her experience spans both state and county-level Farm Bureau work, giving her a deep understanding of the industry's evolving challenges. As she prepares to step down later this year, Blattler plans to stay connected to agriculture through consulting and strategic advisory work, particularly helping farm families navigate succession planning and long-term business decisions. “I've created a wonderful network of family farms and business owners,” she said. “I'm hoping to work with a small number of clients on strategic planning and leadership transition.” She also expressed interest in writing and raising awareness about mental health in agriculture, an issue she has become passionate about in recent years. Reflecting on her career, Blattler emphasized the sense of community that defines Farm Bureau work. “Farm Bureau is a family,” she said. “It's been a pleasure to serve and be a voice for this organization.”  

Ce podcast est présenté par BeTrail.Voici le RÉCAP D+ du 6 avril 2026, le flash info du trail signé Distances+ présenté par Franck Berteau et Chloé Rebaudo.Vous entendrez dans ce podcast : 

Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features the article “Building the Turfgrass Manager Pipeline: A Call for Industry-Academic Partnership” written by Jay McCurdy. The larger turfgrass and landscape industry has a labor issue—mainly that there's not a reliable pipeline for accessing young and capable employees. I have this conversation almost weekly when discussing the state of the industry and how my role in a “turfgrass program” relates. I'm now in my 12th year at Mississippi State University, so I no doubt have some ownership of the problems. But I also wanted to relay to a wider audience just what some of the solutions might be to solve this problem. Yes, higher industry pay might help, but there's more to the story than just that. Our landscape management industry includes a broad range of job titles, but most of us reading this magazine are either boots-on-the-ground landscape managers (ex. superintendents, lawn care professionals, sports field managers, sod producers, equipment managers, etc.) or are somehow involved in the industry/supply side (sales, accounts, research and development, chemical, equipment, etc.). We know the technical mastery and skill required to do this job. We know the rewards and challenges. Nevertheless, I find the perspective from academia is often a little different from what it was when I was a practitioner. We are all concerned about a shrinking pipeline of new professionals entering our field. Turfgrass academic programs are often criticized for producing too few graduates, and those graduates are said to be underprepared for the demanding, multifaceted roles that await them. The same is said for students fresh out of high school. There's always a debate about whether it's generational or whatnot. Maybe there's something to that, but what, pragmatically, can we do to figure all this out? The issue is more complex than a simple academic shortfall. The challenges facing turf programs reflect deeper structural and cultural dynamics within the larger society, as well as within the green industry and our academic institutions. I think we need to embrace a new model of mutual investment between academia and industry in order to restore vitality and sustainability to the profession. Whatever the model, it must redefine recruitment, enhance the talent pool, and demonstrate that green-industry roles are both professionally rewarding and personally sustainable. This essay outlines a vision for such a partnership, built on five key principles: shared recruitment, broader inclusion, job-quality reform, experiential learning, and a mutual commitment to long-term workforce development. The Myth of the One-Way Pipeline Turfgrass academic programs are too often viewed as workforce development pipelines. In this paradigm, universities are expected to “turn out” graduates who are job-ready, immediately employable, and long-term loyal to the industry. These are ambitious goals that can only be achieved through industry partnerships. Universities cannot solve structural labor shortages in isolation. For starters, the looming demographic cliff, where student enrollment drops due to fewer babies having been born ~18 years ago, is self-evident. We have to reframe the relationship as a two-way street: industry leaders and employers must engage as co-investors in the success of the next generation. The declining number of turfgrass students is not solely a turf problem—it mirrors trends across many science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. Yet in turf, the impact is more acute. Fewer students are entering, and those who do are frequently drawn away by careers with higher salaries, greater mobility, and more stable work-life balance—fields like wildlife biology, ecology, food science, and agricultural engineering. If return on investment (ROI) for college interests you, I highly recommend Preston Cooper's Is College Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis article. If the green industry wants to retain talented, committed professionals, it must work with academic programs to create clearer, more appealing, and more stable career pathways for students entering the field. Recruitment: A Shared Responsibility One of the most common critiques from green industry professionals and hiring managers is that turf programs are not doing enough to recruit students into the field. In truth, recruitment cannot be the sole responsibility of faculty or universities. Few high school students grow up dreaming of becoming a golf course superintendent, especially if they've never been exposed to the role or the science behind it. Lots of kids grow up mowing lawns, but do they view that as a stable profession? How many golf course superintendents leave the industry for better working hours or more stable family lives? The stories of our profession are not always positive. How do we improve that? Meaningful recruitment requires visibility, storytelling, and early engagement. That means: Hosting and organizing Golf Course Superintendents Association of America's (GCSAA's) STEAM program, First Green. Industry professionals visiting high schools, FFA programs, and 4-H events to talk about careers in turf and to give hands-on help managing facilities. Hosting youth days, career shadowing, or field trips in coordination with FFA, agricultural teachers, 4-H, and Extension educators. Alumni sharing their stories, not just of agronomic challenges overcome, but of career development, family stability, and lifelong learning. Academic programs can support these efforts with marketing materials, introductory coursework, event production, and advising. Industry partners can develop their own materials, and my academic colleagues and I would be happy to collaborate. But unless the industry is willing to support or do the work, recruitment will remain a leaky pipeline. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has promoted its First Green program and has invested heavily in promoting the profession to kids in FFA. This is a good example of how we might target youth to entice them into our profession. Reaching the Future of the Profession A second issue compounding recruitment challenges is the profession's lack of demographic diversity (this isn't a DEI discussion!). This is not simply a turfgrass issue; it reflects broader underrepresentation across many STEAM fields. However, the profession's visual and cultural homogeneity isn't always inviting to those from different socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds. That's to say very little of the lack of female representation—it's improving. Still, it lags considerably behind many other attractive career fields for the same candidate pool we are competing for. If we want to build a workforce that reflects the broader demographics of our society, the turfgrass industry must actively recruit from historically underrepresented communities, including women, students of color, and first-generation college students. Many turf programs sit within land-grant institutions with a mission to serve all citizens of their state. Partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges, and community colleges offer promising avenues for talent development. Additionally, the industry must take steps to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds are not only recruited but also retained. That means: Paid internships with real mentorship, not just summer labor. This is something our industry does well. Though pay and working conditions could always be improved, I understand the financial realities for most businesses—margins matter, and you can't pay a 20-year-old more than your loyal long-time employees. Scholarships and travel support to attend GCSAA and regional turfgrass conferences. GCSAA and our regional events have done a great job supporting our students. Our state and regional associations have covered almost all the costs for our students attending events like Deep South. GCSAA allows students and academic advisors to attend the Golf Show for free. They allow students to be members for free. We just have to cover flight and meal costs—sell more hats and pullovers! Storytelling campaigns that highlight successful professionals in our industry. Barry Stewart hosts MSU Turf Seminar speakers, and I'm sure he'd love to hear from those of you who can share your secrets to success and happiness. If the profession remains perceived as culturally insular or exclusionary, we will continue to miss out on a generation of bright, capable professionals who simply chose other welcoming fields. Career Quality: The Hidden Cost of Turnover Recruitment efforts alone are not enough if the jobs themselves are perceived as undesirable. One of the most pressing challenges facing the green industry is career sustainability and burnout. Even for students who graduate from turf programs and enter the profession, the early-career reality can be discouraging. Starting roles are often physically demanding, geographically isolating from home, and poorly compensated relative to the skill and responsibility required. I won't disagree: early careers are hard in many professions, and ours has a history of heartiness and resilience that we pride ourselves on. And that's great, but let's face it, positions frequently involve long hours, especially in golf and sports fields, weekend shifts, and high turnover. Relocation is common, placing strain on young professionals with families or community ties. Burnout is not only likely, but it's also all too often expected. In many cases, internships play a decisive role. While some students have transformative experiences, others emerge disillusioned. Internships are often where students determine whether they see a long-term future in the profession. Unfortunately, too many internships treat students as temporary labor rather than future colleagues. Our profession must take a hard look at its entry-level roles and ask: Are we investing in mentorship or extracting labor? Are we helping build careers or merely filling seasonal gaps? Are we creating a profession that values work-life balance and career advancement? Until the industry addresses these questions honestly, retention will remain low, and turf programs will struggle to retain students who see more stable options elsewhere. Experiential Learning and Academic Alignment To ensure that students are prepared for professional success, universities must evolve as well. Turfgrass programs must incorporate not only plant science and weed control, but also: Business management and budgeting Communication and conflict resolution Human resources and leadership Sustainability, data analytics, and emerging technologies Faculty must engage in continuous dialogue with industry professionals to align curricula with real-world expectations. This can happen through advisory boards, curriculum reviews, and co-developed experiential learning opportunities. Meanwhile, the industry must treat internships and co-ops as educational experiences, not just temporary employment. Golf courses that offer structured mentorship, performance feedback, and leadership development will not only see better short-term productivity, but they'll also help shape the long-term workforce of the profession. The Role of Associations The Sports Field Management Association (SFMA), GCSAA, and other professional landscape associations have a unique opportunity to lead systemic change. Many in the industry look to them for guidance, advocacy, and professional standards. But as organizations, they can: Develop and promote best practices for internship mentorship Recognize organizations that invest in student development Partner with academic programs on workforce development grants Support early-career professionals through networking and continuing education Just as importantly, associations must continue to help shift cultural expectations within the profession. That means promoting superintendent and field manager roles as executive leadership positions, not just agronomic technicians. It means celebrating the intellectual and managerial skills required to succeed in this career, and advocating for compensation, stability, and respect commensurate with those demands. Learning from Other Industries Much can be learned from adjacent fields. Engineering, for example, has long faced similar challenges: rigorous academic programs, intense internships, and high attrition. Yet leading companies and associations in that field have invested heavily in university partnerships, student engagement, and early-career support. Top manufacturing and technology firms fund campus recruiting, sponsor capstone projects, offer paid site visits to facilities, and offer career ladders with clear promotion timelines. These students, like our own, are not afraid of hard work. They are attracted by clear career outcomes and structured support along the way. There is no reason the green industry cannot offer the same. But doing so requires a shift in mindset: from “you have to earn your place” to “we will invest in you as the future of our profession.” A Vision for the Future In many places, these goals are already occurring, but here are just a few to imagine as being widespread: High school students attend “turf career days” hosted by their local superintendent and Extension agent. Universities and employers co-design internships that develop not just technical skills, but leadership and confidence. Interns feel welcomed and valued from their first day on a golf course. Assistant superintendents are mentored, paid fairly, and see clear paths to advancement. Associations and turf programs work side by side to tell the story of a modern, rewarding profession. This future is not only possible but also essential. The alternative is the status quo, or worse, decline: fewer students, fewer assistants, more burnout, and an aging workforce with no one ready to take the reins. Conclusion: A Call to Shared Action The challenges facing the profession are real, but they are not insurmountable. What is required is not blame, but shared responsibility. Universities must modernize curricula and deepen student support. Turfgrass managers must invest in mentorship and help reshape early-career roles. Our industry associations must lead with vision, coordination, and advocacy. Ultimately, this is about stewardship of the profession itself. The same care, foresight, and commitment that turfgrass managers bring to managing turf must now be brought to cultivating the future of the workforce. The author would like to thank Barry Stewart for his suggestions and edits to this article. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. Visit www.theturfzone.com for more. The post Building the Turfgrass Manager Pipeline: A Call for Industry-Academic Partnership appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Today's AgNet News Hour featured a forward-looking conversation with fifth-generation farmer Jenny Lester Moffitt, now serving as Vice President of Farmland Protection and Strategic Priorities at American Farmland Trust, highlighting the critical need to keep farmers on the land and ensure the future of agriculture. Moffitt, who grew up farming organic walnuts in Northern California, brings both policy and real-world farming experience to her role. Her work now centers on supporting farmers through some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today, ranging from land access and succession planning to long-term farm viability. “We want to make sure that anyone who is looking to get into farming has the ability to do so,” Moffitt said. “A big part of that is keeping farmers on the land and looking at what that next generation transition looks like.” A major focus of her work is helping farm families navigate the often-complex process of transitioning operations to the next generation. This includes everything from estate planning to business strategy, ensuring farms can remain productive and profitable for decades to come. “We sit down at the kitchen table with farmers and look at the whole system of their operation,” she explained. “Farming is absolutely not in silos.” Moffitt emphasized that agriculture must be viewed as a complete system, where water, labor, markets, land use, and environmental stewardship all play interconnected roles. That holistic approach is key to maintaining both productivity and sustainability. The conversation also highlighted the increasing pressure farmers face in California, including regulatory challenges, rising costs, and competition from lower-cost imports. Moffitt acknowledged the need to better recognize and compensate farmers for the broader value they provide beyond just food production. “How do we bring new revenue streams for farmers so they are compensated for all the benefits they provide?” she said, pointing to areas like soil health, water quality, and environmental stewardship. Another key theme was the importance of education and leadership development in agriculture. Moffitt credited programs like FFA and 4-H with shaping future leaders in the industry, emphasizing their role in building communication skills, responsibility, and real-world experience. “Leadership values, public speaking, and understanding how to navigate different situations—those are all taught through these programs,” she said. Moffitt also stressed the importance of connecting policymakers with agriculture by bringing them directly onto farms. “There is incredible value in walking the field and having those conversations,” she noted. Despite ongoing challenges, Moffitt remains optimistic about the future of agriculture, particularly if farmers, communities, and policymakers work together to strengthen the industry. “Thank you to everyone out there doing the work,” she said. “What you do is so important to all of us.” Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

Great schools don't just happen—they're built by leaders who believe in their students. Jeremy Wendt sits down with Breeonna Wheeler, principal of Monterey High School, to talk about the journey that led her from a childhood dream of teaching to leading one of the community's most active schools. Inspired by generations of educators in her family, Wheeler shares how kindness, mentorship, and strong community partnerships shape the culture at Monterey High. From bringing back the school band after nearly 40 years to earning the Purple Star Award and building a top-tier FFA program, she's helping students discover their passions and take pride in their school. It's a conversation about leadership, legacy, and investing in the next generation. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! News Talk 94.1

Ce podcast est présenté par BeTrail.Voici le RÉCAP D+ du 30 mars 2026, le flash info du trail signé Distances+ présenté par Franck Berteau et Chloé Rebaudo.Vous entendrez dans ce podcast : 

The eight new state FFA officers are still riding high after being selected for their roles at the 98th Annual Tennessee FFA Convention. All three regional vice presidents are eager to get to work and serve FFA members across the state.

During the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update, Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck says we can expect a few rain showers before we see warmer weather. Stephanie Hoff visits with two council graduates today about how this program is a backstage pass to the world of ag policy and career networking. Mary Schrieber and Jescey Thompson are both now college students after successful stints in the FFA. Mary, originally from East Troy, was a National FFA Vice President. Jescey, who calls Ettrick home, was a Wisconsin State FFA President. Their career interests started in high school, when they saw the opportunity to apply for the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. Pam Jahnke talks land auctions with the Steffes Group. Kiley catches up with Matt Crimmins. He tells us about the importance of livestock identification in the meat processing industry. At the WPS Farm Show Ben Jarboe has a lot of fun learning about some of the new technology on the market. He talked to Justin Premo about the realities of upgrading equipment on the farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four national FFA members will represent the voice of agricultural youth in Washington, D.C., during the National Ag Day Celebration on March 24. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The March 19 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured a compelling and wide-ranging interview with former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, who offered insight into the economic challenges facing farmers and what it will take to sustain agriculture for the next generation. Speaking with hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill, Johanns drew on decades of experience as a governor, senator, and ag leader to address issues impacting producers across California and the nation. Johanns made it clear that while some sectors of agriculture are performing well, many farmers are navigating a difficult economic environment. High input costs, uncertain markets, and shifting demand, especially in industries like wine grapes, are putting pressure on producers. In California, growers are facing particularly tough conditions, with some vineyards being removed or left unharvested due to declining demand. A key theme throughout the discussion was profitability. Johanns emphasized that keeping farmers on the land ultimately comes down to whether operations can remain financially viable. Without profitability, he noted, it becomes increasingly difficult for the next generation to continue farming, even for those who are deeply passionate about agriculture. The conversation also explored the role of policy and marketing in supporting struggling sectors. Johanns pointed to opportunities for legislative improvements that could help level the playing field for U.S. producers, particularly when competing with imported products. At the same time, he stressed the importance of better connecting with younger consumers, especially in industries like wine, where demand has shifted in recent years. Beyond market challenges, Johanns highlighted the importance of recognizing the work farmers are already doing to innovate. From improving crop practices to advancing livestock genetics, many of the day-to-day decisions made on farms qualify as research and development. He discussed efforts to help farmers access R&D tax credits, which can provide much-needed financial relief by returning dollars back into farming operations. Johanns also spoke highly of farmers themselves, pushing back against misconceptions about agriculture. He emphasized that producers are committed to conservation, stewardship, and continuous improvement. Across the country—and especially in California—farmers are adapting to new technologies, environmental challenges, and regulatory pressures while continuing to feed a growing population. Looking ahead, Johanns underscored the importance of engaging the next generation through programs like FFA and 4-H, which continue to play a critical role in developing future agricultural leaders. His message was clear: if agriculture is going to thrive, it must remain profitable, innovative, and supported by policies that recognize its value. For California farmers, the interview served as both a reality check and a roadmap—highlighting the challenges ahead while reinforcing the importance of strong leadership, smart policy, and continued innovation in agriculture.

Attention high school juniors: Are you ready to take your seat at the table? The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is looking for the next generation of leaders to join the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. The deadline to apply is March 31. Stephanie Hoff visits with two council graduates today about how this program is a backstage pass to the world of ag policy and career networking. Mary Schrieber and Jescey Thompson are both now college students after successful stints in the FFA. Mary, originally from East Troy, was a National FFA Vice President. Jescey, who calls Ettrick home, was a Wisconsin State FFA President. Their career interests started in high school, when they saw the opportunity to apply for the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. Learn more: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/AgYouthCouncil.aspxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National FFA Southern Region Vice President T. Wayne Williams, of Cannon County, was recognized on the floors of both the state House and Senate. During the honor, Williams thanked lawmakers for their continued support of FFA and highlighted the vital role the youth agricultural organization plays in developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture.

A northwest Iowa school district is trying to address racist bullying. The Iowa House has passed a bill that bans mothers without legal status from a federal food assistance program. And why are there more FFA chapters being created in urban schools?

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Lacey, a school counselor and IMPACT member. In this episode, we are talking all about class lessons and the engaging formula she uses to keep students involved and excited about learning. Lacey Dixon is an enthusiastic educator that leads with positive intention while fostering a nurturing, growth-oriented inclusive environment for her school and community. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation, a Masters in School Counseling, and a Masters in Instruction that has served her well as a seventeen-year education veteran and first-generation college student.   This school year marked a turning point as she began her new journey as a first-year school counselor.  Previously, she served as a secondary agriscience educator and FFA advisor, an ag relationship manager in the private sector and instructional leader at an intermediate school.  Blending her love of teaching, and intuitive ability to build strong relationships with students, Dr. Dixon strives to create a learning environment where all students feel loved and welcomed from the moment they walk through their school doors.  Cultivating social emotional intelligence and mindfulness among staff and students, continues to shape her everyday interactions and school initiatives for the promise of a better tomorrow.  What do you love about school counseling? When asked what she loves most about school counseling, Lacey shares that she enjoys building relationships and having the opportunity to do something different every day. She works with students in grades four through six and teaches lessons within professional learning communities. She values incorporating social emotional learning into her lessons and is passionate about helping students feel loved and welcomed each day. How do you manage class lessons at your school? Lacey has developed a clear and engaging structure for her class lessons. She begins by gathering student input about what they enjoy, ensuring their voices are heard. Each lesson starts with a Smartboard open and includes morning movement such as dances or short videos to energize students. From there, she leads affirmations, inviting students to repeat statements like, "I belong in this classroom just as I am." Next, she introduces an activator, which may be a short video or a definition connected to the lesson objective.  The class then moves into the main activity, often including a take home component to help students create meaning beyond the classroom.  She closes with a reflection component to reinforce learning. Her lesson framework includes a physical activity, affirmation, activation, activity, and reflection. What does a typical day look like for you? In a typical day, Lacey balances lunch and bus duties, small groups, individual student sessions, and teaching class lessons three days per week. Each day brings variety and opportunities to connect with students in different ways. What advice do you have for new counselors? For new counselors, Lacey offers thoughtful advice. She encourages counselors to extend grace to themselves and their students. She recommends focusing on immediate priorities rather than trying to do everything at once. She also emphasizes the importance of having trusted colleagues or friends to lean on, as the role can be demanding and emotionally heavy.  Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube   More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!  

Cities and suburbs may not be connected to the region's farms, but they are seeing a growth in FFA chapters.

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by Claire West, Customer Education Manager at Farm Credit Mid-America. A former high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Nelson County, Claire shares her journey from finding her place in agriculture as a student in Marshall County to pioneering an innovative, agriculture experience for her students. Join the conversation as she discusses the importance of agricultural education and her transition to educating the next generation of leaders in a new capacity.Links:Farm Credit Mid AmericaNelson County FFAMarshall County FFABalance Sheet BasicsGrowing Forward ProgramKindle HolderKindle Clicker

Logan McKnight is the founder of GoodKnight Consulting and a strategic advisor to MedTech executives navigating growth, leadership challenges, and operational complexity. Logan shares her nearly 20-year journey from pre-med to neuromonitoring technologist to CEO, and explains why she now focuses on helping leaders build teams that scale without sacrificing culture or burning out. She discusses lessons learned managing remote surgical service teams, why “simple scales,” and how mission, vision, and values enable better decisions and hiring beyond gut instinct.  Guest links: https://www.goodknightconsulting.net/ Charity supported: ASPCA Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 075 - Logan McKnight [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I am delighted to welcome Logan McKnight. Logan is the founder of GoodKnight Consulting and a strategic advisor to MedTech executives navigating growth, leadership challenges and operational complexity. With nearly 20 years in neuromonitoring and surgical services, including experience as a CEO, VP of Operations and business development leader, Logan brings an experienced perspective to executive leadership. She works with directors, VPs, and C-suite leaders to build teams that can scale without sacrificing culture or burning out. Well, welcome to the show, Logan. I'm so glad to speak with you today, and thank you so much for being here. [00:01:34] Logan McKnight: Yeah, it's great to be here. I appreciate you inviting me. [00:01:36] Lindsey Dinneen: Of course. I'd love if you wouldn't mind starting off by sharing just a little bit about yourself, your background, and what led you to MedTech. [00:01:45] Logan McKnight: Of course. Yeah. So my name is Logan McKnight and I have been in medtech for almost the last 20 years. And I think my journey, I, a lot of people have a very similar like origin story of haphazardly finding their way into medtech. I was pre-med in college. I wanted to go into veterinary school and I think I panicked honestly last minute, not really wanting to go. I interned under vet who basically dissuaded me from doing all the work of vet school and said go to med school. And feeling a little lost, I found my way to medtech, particularly neural monitoring, which was a field, pretty niche, but basically I got trained by a company to go in and run equipment and monitor patient's nervous systems during surgery. And to me, just having my bachelor's degree and having that level of impact and being able to jump right into patient care without having to go to more, you know, years and years of schooling was right up my alley and it's been such a wild ride. You know, I was a technologist and then I became a manager and then VP of development of business development, and head of contracting. And then I went over to a small company where I was the vice president of the whole company, and then eventually CEO, and now I'm consulting for medtech companies. So it's been a really fun journey that I didn't plan at all. [00:03:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Okay. Well, excellent. And that brings up so many questions, but to start, so you were thinking originally you might wanna be a vet. Do you have you know, like, did you grow up with animals? Did you just have an amazing love for them? Where did that come from? [00:03:23] Logan McKnight: You know, honestly, I think I would've had way more animals, but my parents were a lot more reasonable than I was. So we just had the regular pets, but I grew up like horseback riding and in the Midwest, in Ohio. So I was around a lot of farm animals and things like that and I was part of like FFA and horticulture. So future Farmers of America. And I actually was really interested in large animals because I didn't wanna deal with people, I didn't wanna deal with people or their pets. So, and you know, and so that was what panicked me about med school was like the whole plan was veterinary school was to avoid the people part. And then I found through medtech you know, neuromonitoring and surgery where my patients are asleep. And so I still got to do all the things that I love, like providing impact, but then, you know, not having to worry about, I guess all for me I just had my head like all the challenges and complications that deal dealing with patients that I thought would make my job and life really difficult. So it's been really fun to kind of focus on just like the care and how to move things forward and explore this big, wide open space of how to impact people's lives in surgery. [00:04:31] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. And you know what's interesting about that too is, though, I think it sounds like throughout your, though, as you've, you know, gone from technologist and then you've had all of these amazing career changes and growth basically. It sounds like, you know, you have developed though your own kind of leadership style, so even though maybe originally you weren't sure about dealing with people, so to speak, you've actually excelled at it. So I'm curious how that has evolved for you in creating and managing teams. [00:05:03] Logan McKnight: Yeah. You know, it's interesting. I think like initially I was trying to control all these variables before I got into leadership in people, and then realized like you can't do that once you get to actually working with people. And once you almost like acknowledge and recognize, you can't control that but there's some beauty in that of you just allow for what you allow and then you know, you have to give people the ability to function like at their level. And you create the parameters. But other than that, like some magic happens when you don't try to control every single thing. And I see so many, especially new managers, you know, being like, "I need to control everything." And they're wondering why they're exhausted or their team's not respecting them. And it's like, gotta let go, gotta let go of the wheel a little bit. So, you know, I think those are some lessons and sometimes they just come with time and experience. [00:05:55] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So, when you started, well, let's go back to the beg, maybe it's kind of at the beginning of your career. What are some things that you learned as a technologist and as you were growing within the hospital systems themselves, that contributed to basically where you would become now to become an entrepreneur and all of that. [00:06:21] Logan McKnight: Yeah, I mean, I will be very honest, and this is not meant to be a dig at anybody who I'd worked with or any boss. But I just, I went to work for a private company and we went and we were almost like hired mercenaries. So we would go to like, you know, every day I was in a different hospital. I didn't know my schedule till the night before. I rarely saw my manager and, you know, rarely saw other members of my team and it really felt like I was very isolated and alone. And it added to my burnout and also feeling like I didn't have anyone watch, like looking out for me and my back as a younger employee. And I realized there was so much room for improvement there in how you manage a team remotely. And so I think I, I just like mentally I was a psychology major before I switched to pre-med, and so I think like the, like human brain, because I was, you know, neuroscience, but like psychology, I think is so fascinating to me and the way people tick and what makes them tick. And I, I'm a big believer if you can figure out the way people tick, you can unlock so many things in the world and like you can, you know, you can be the most brilliant person, but if you can't communicate effectively, if you can't manage a team, you're really not gonna take things to the next level because you're not gonna activate those people around you to perform and get something done. So I feel like it was a case study for me to kind of watch like these managers and struggle and I'm like, "Ah, that's what I'm not going to do." [00:07:47] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes. Yeah. Sometimes learning from examples that maybe you wish you didn't have to learn from though can be the best teachers and actually serve your, you know, your own leadership style and your people that you end up getting to influence. It actually does help in the long term, but so. [00:08:06] Logan McKnight: Totally. [00:08:07] Lindsey Dinneen: So when you started GoodKnight Consulting, what was the impetus for that? I mean, you'd had this you've had this amazing career so far. You're ready kind of just for the next step or what sparked that? [00:08:19] Logan McKnight: You know, it's interesting, I stepped down from my CEO position 'cause I was feeling, I was running a neuromonitoring service company in the Pacific Northwest. We also had a professional services arm with neurologists. And then I had a medical billing company that I was running and we did mostly out of network billing. And then we also started a company in India right before COVID. So by 2023, I was fried, I was very burnt out in the way that I felt like I was busy all the time, but not really having the same impact I used to have. I think a lot of that was like I, I got more involved on the litigious side of running a company and then also the medical billing side really takes it out of you. So the thing I enjoyed was the coaching and the mentoring, and once I took a little bit of a step back and thought about what would I do every day for free? You know, like, what would I just love to do? And the reality was coaching other leaders, especially one like scratched my itch for helping people and provide and like, impact, which I realize is my biggest driver is like, how do I impact the most people and walk away with, you know, my life feeling like I've touched people in a positive way, and I think that's, you know, my, my driving force. So that's kind of why I started. And I started honestly just trying to go to leaders individually and offer some webinars and some one-on-one coaching. And then I really realized working with companies actually is the best way to go about this because you get ownership and leadership that's totally aligned and they want that support for their leaders. And then, it's so much easier to see the impact spread throughout an organization, so that's been really cool, is to be this outside force driving an owner or an executive's vision of what they want their company or the team to be. [00:10:07] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, and I noticed when I was reading a little bit more about the company, one of the things that I thought was really interesting is you talk about there, this is not just let's say leadership or mindset coaching or something like that, although that is very important as well. It is also about the business strategy. And you talk a lot about, you know, you've been in the position to understand how much, of course, revenue matters. You ha you have to, you know, make sure that's a strong, you know, foundation for the business. So, so how do you balance the two when you work with clients? [00:10:45] Logan McKnight: Yeah, no, that's a great question. I think every client is unique. I have found that just stripping away-- actually with something I, a blog post I was working on today and something I posted on LinkedIn, and it's something I find myself saying to founders and owner operators all the time-- simple scales. And I think, you know, what ends up happening is a lot of times you get this great idea for a product, a service, a company, and you just go. And you don't sometimes sit down and create like the true mission or the vision and like the values of the company. And it's really hard for owner operators and people who are in startup land and you know, small businesses to pause and do that, especially if they've been going for a few years 'cause you know, it's like, "Well, I've been operating without this stuff. It's totally fine." The reality is it's so much easier to grow and scale and also to gut check yourself when you're making decisions and being like "This is the right call because this aligns with our mission and our vision for the company or our growth initiatives for this year. And then it aligns with my values. I feel good about this decision and I can communicate it to people I hire. So I trust those people." And like that's what scales is, the trust and people having like the unified mission and vision and values and like, I know it sounds a little touchy feely, but the reality is like that's actually what I feel like I end up centering owners and operators on. It's less about the minutia and the details and more about like, does this make sense with where you wanna go and the way you, and the way you wanna get there. [00:12:21] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Okay. Yeah, I really like that. And with the emphasis on the unified team in terms of, you know, we don't all have to view life exactly the same, but we need to be aligned, at least with our mission and values and things like that. What do you find are some of the best practices when it comes to building out a team? And on the flip side, what are some things that maybe are common or that feel like they would be good practices, but in reality might not be. Like, what are some lessons learned, I suppose, on both sides? [00:12:56] Logan McKnight: Yeah. I mean, I think, I'll be honest, I think a lot of owners and maybe leaders who've been in their position for a while, like, like there-- I was talking to somebody else about this, about your gut feeling and like, go with your gut and trust me. I was a big go with my gut leader especially as a CEO, but like that doesn't scale because you have to be able to verbalize like, what are the things you're looking for? Why did you pick this person? And so at the end of the day you know, I had a policy when I was probably right, became, when I became a CEO that I needed to like approve after a couple not so great hires, I needed to approve every hire. And like the reality is that's not realistic, that's not gonna scale as you grow. And so I just needed to create the, this is what we're looking for like, you know, we're hiring for attitude. We can train the aptitude, we can train the technical depending on what the job is. But, you know, here's what we're really looking for, is a good fit for the company and the culture. And then, because once I had people who I knew really got that and saw the vision, I knew they were gonna make the right choices. And so I didn't feel like I had to. Be the one making that decision, I could scale it and help, you know, allow my team to hire for the people in the places that they needed and saw. [00:14:09] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I really like that. So, one thing that I thought was interesting, especially so on your LinkedIn profiles, I was, you know, enjoying reading more about you and some of the things you've done. But you had mentioned that sometimes there's a trade off between hitting targets and then you're burning out your team for the opposite. You're protecting your team, but then you're not hitting your targets. Could you speak a little bit more about that and how you help companies sort of overcome that challenge. [00:14:40] Logan McKnight: No, and I mean, I think it's like, I equate like, I think when I first became a leader, you know, talking about how my viewed my other leaders maybe know what not to do, I definitely swung the pendulum too far the other direction when I first started. And I was way too, I don't know, I was way too, all the things I didn't get. And so two, like checking in with my team, "How are you doing?" Not wanting to delegate work to them and doing these things because you know, and so I realized there's you, I think that's like an initial thing a lot of leaders go through is that shift. It's when you get stuck in the one extreme or the other and you don't really find your good at equilibrium, that it's really hard to sustain. And I think it's really important to find your equilibrium of, like, "This drives us to hit quota. This drives us to get our metrics and to for success. And then it does it in a sustainable way that our team's gonna stay." Because to me, like, sustainable. I kind of was thinking about my values even this morning and I'm like, I think fun is really one of my values like, I want to really enjoy like not just my personal life, but my professional life, and I think your job, your company, all of those things is a lot more fun when it's sustainable, right, when you're like exhausted. So finding a way for it to be sustainable for your team, for, you know, and everyone likes to win. Like it's fun to hit quota. It's fun to like crush your metrics and celebrate. So it, how do you know, make that sustainable and fun? And I think that's like a long-term success or recipe for success with a company. [00:16:15] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. Well, and you know, it's so interesting 'cause actually this has come up a couple of times recently on the podcast is the sort of core value of fun and how much that does actually transform people's experience with the company. And you know, because inevitably you're gonna have those days that are just really tough and hard. And so being able to though have a culture of fun and joy is, it does make a difference. Yeah. [00:16:42] Logan McKnight: No, for sure. I remember when I first started working in surgery and someone asked me, they're like, "Oh, is it like Grey's Anatomy?" And, you know, and I'm like, "It's not nearly as like sexy. Like there's no, you know, doctors in closets and whatever." The, I, it's actually more like the show Scrubs and the reality is, and people are like, "Oh, that seems like goofy and comedy." I'm like, "I know." But the, I think the reality is we view in like healthcare and medtech of like this, you know, taking care of patients, a serious job. We're talking to surgeons. But for anybody who's really good at their job, like, you know, you see, especially in surgery in these high stakes environments, like it's actually the best rooms to be in are a lot of fun because you rely on your team, you know everyone's gonna do well, or you know their job well. If shit hits the fan, the tone changes and you can trust that. But I think because you trust your team. It's fun, you know, in more moments than not because there's just so much trust that when things get serious, people will speak up and it's safe. I think you like when you're psychologically safe, it's enjoyable, it's fun, and you also feel like you can speak up when you say something wrong. And I feel like those are the healthiest like work dynamics, both in healthcare then, especially in medtech when you're putting a product out there, like you want somebody to say something if they see a problem with your product before it goes to market, right? [00:18:05] Lindsey Dinneen: Well, and I love that. I love that perspective too of, you're absolutely right, healthcare, medical devices, it is it is serious by nature and it should be like, we should take our jobs seriously. But at the same times, if we could not maybe take ourselves as seriously and, you know, and infuse the fun and it does help also I think dissipate some of that-- well, some of the really hard, you know, again, those days that are tough it helps to be able to say, you know, take a step back and go, you know what, "It's yes, and." [00:18:37] Logan McKnight: Right. A hundred percent. Yeah. It adds a little like, like brevity to those se really serious moments to be able to feel. You know, and I think that at the end of the day, like you being in whatever place whatever your place is in healthcare, in medtech, like whatever role you're playing, like you are helping advance the field, you're helping patient care. And I think always keeping that in mind, even on like the tough days, like you're advancing something in a good way keeps you centered on like your why and drives you forward in a really good way versus like, you know, and I'll be honest, like I, it got hard for me in my CEO role, like, I think I lost my why a little bit and my driver, because it's very hard to see, "Okay, well how am I impacting patient care positively. How am I impacting the world positively?" when you're chasing down insurance reimbursements and whatnot. And, you know, dealing with hospital shutdowns during COVID. So I think at the end of the day, I realize like I need to find a way for this to be enjoyable and fun because I also realize like I'm my best self and I'm more creative and I'm more in like a problem solving zone when I'm in that, that good mindset. And so I, I look at it as a huge positive to, to figure out what, what drives you and make you happy. [00:19:51] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. What drives you makes you happy. And I agree with you, if you can also take a step back sometimes and have that broader perspective and mix it with just a little bit of humor, even if just all you're doing is taking a quick break and watching, I don't know, a funny cat video or something. Yeah. [00:20:10] Logan McKnight: Sure. [00:20:11] Lindsey Dinneen: Reset moments make a difference. So difference, you're a board member of several organizations and I wondered if you could speak a little bit to those organizations and what led you to get involved with them. [00:20:24] Logan McKnight: Yeah. So the two I'm on the board of is one Nepal's Spine Foundation which I went to Nepal with a few surgeons I worked with. And then when I was in figuring out my why when I stepped away the surgeons who are started the foundation invited me to join the board. And actually I will be going to Nepal with them in April and we'll be doing another mission and then hiking to Everspace camp together. I'm looking forward to that, and it's been amazing 'cause I think that's also, I've gotten to go on a lot of mission trips in my career. I've gotten to go to Ghana and Barbados, Dominican Republic, Nepal, India. And so, like I also realized like impact being my driver, like I have so much impact to teach people about neuromonitoring, which isn't a well-known, you know, aspect of surgery always. And so the fact that I could leave a hospital, a community better for going there really was a driver. So the fact that I continued to do that work is really important. And then the second is STRIPES, which is how I met you, women in medtech. And you know, the nice thing is I was looking, I was a, I went back before I fully launched GoodKnight Consulting and became like a device rep just to kind of figure out, you know, do I wanna go back into sales? What do I really wanna do? And I was a little lost and I found my way, you know, I wanted community. And when I found this group, it was just transformative for me. Like I, my mentor was Lisa Jacobs, who is phenomenal and has been inspiring for a very long time. And she actually really pushed me to do my dream and start and really put all into my coaching and consulting. So I'm really grateful for that. And then she invited me to be on the board. So like to continue to give back to an organization that I feel like personally gave me, like it, it's why I am where I am today. It gave me that push I needed in that support. And there's tons of women in the organization like Claire Davis, Kat Hurd, like Courtney Turich. I just, they're all out there, they're all public on LinkedIn. And that was something that honestly, initially scared me. And so just, I was inspired by them, supported, and I think that's a really, you know, great thing when you are becoming an entrepreneur is finding your community and that support. [00:22:42] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. Well, okay. So I just, I love the fact that you're doing both of those things. The mission work is really cool. It's amazing to hear how you've gotten to use-- well, because you're so driven by impact how you've gotten to do that and then make a big difference in, in the lives of people that, yeah, may otherwise never have had that opportunity or, you know, at least not for a while or whatever. So. [00:23:09] Logan McKnight: Right. [00:23:10] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, that, that's really incredible. So, you know, through that or throughout your career, are there any moments that really stand out to you as kind of affirming, "Wow, I am in the right industry at the right time." [00:23:23] Logan McKnight: You know, I think medtech, like always, even if it's not me and something I'm doing, like seeing people who I know in the industry and accomplishments they've made, and organizations that I've either been a part of or supported in some way in my career, like just seeing like the new tech coming out and the advancements they're making, just reaffirms like I'm part of a bigger picture in an ecosystem that's really great. And even, you know, like I, I came from the spine space when I was doing medical device and it spine is, you know, tough. Like ortho's tough, spines tough. That's a lot of competition. But you know, I think. Competition drives quality, and so it's really cool even if you see your competitor doing something, you know, you're like, "Oh man, I wish we would've," but it's getting done. It's, you know, it's pushing the envelope, it's making it better. And I think that's huge. And, you know, really exciting too when I found you and Project Medtech to see how you guys are helping support like startups and investors and people who are looking to get into this space. Because I think that's the other thing is getting fresh perspective and new innovative companies helps everybody like drive, drives the mission forward, drives the impact forward on patient care. [00:24:38] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. And okay, so another very random thing that I found on your LinkedIn, but I just really liked it 'cause I resonate with this aspect. So you started to paint, you learned how to paint. Tell us about that and does that play a role in your creativity overall, do you think? [00:25:01] Logan McKnight: You know, I think so. So I hosted like a happy hour for girlfriends and we did this thing where we painted like a thrift shop thrift store paintings and like Halloween things in them. And so, and I live in the Pacific Northwest, which is beautiful. We have a hundred year old cabin on three acres, and it's, it was October. It was just like, stunning. And I was looking out in our, my backyard and I was like, "I wanna paint this." And I just sat down. I mean, I'm not artistic. I've never and it looked like a 8-year-old painted it and my partner Joe was like, "Maybe watch a video." It's great. I love it. But, you know, and so I found, you know, like Bob, apparently all, every episode of Bob Ross was on Netflix at least last year. And so I just started watching some videos and some videos on YouTube, and I started getting better and better pretty quickly. Like I, you know, I started, you know, little tutorials here and there. And then I realized, like I was also reading books to help me kind of get in this entrepreneurial mindset like growth mindset or "Mindset" by Carol Dweck, which talks about growth mindset. And I realized like, you can teach yourself to do anything. Like I had told myself for the longest time, I mean, I started my I'm 40 and so I told myself for 40 years, like, "I'm not artistic." That was my box I painted around myself. And then all of a sudden I was like, "Well, let's give it a shot." And so, you know, there's, I realize like you set these boundaries in your parameters in your head and you blow them up a little bit. Like, you know what? Like, let's just see, let's try you know, and I see this with our teenagers too, it's sometimes like when they struggle in school, they'll be like, "I'm not smart, or I'm not this." And I'm like, "You just have to try." Like anything worth doing takes effort. And if everybody quit because they weren't good. The first time or even like the 10th time, like imagine how little progress we would make as a society. So I think if something you wanna do something recognizing, like you can learn to do it. And I think that also helped ignite, like me knowing I could be, do my consulting company and really launch it. And so I just started reaching out to people who had done it and I hired coaches and I started to learn more about what would make it work and what I would need to do. And you know what a novel idea, right? You find the person who's doing what you wanna do and you learn from them. You know, and it's just like that entire journey over the last year was really helpful to, I think, get me to the head place like I needed to be, to like leave the safety of a W2 job and launch a company. Just to like lie, you know, to myself every, and be like, "You can do it." Because, you know, if you start every day with the, "I don't know if this is gonna work," like I, there's no way I would've done this. I really had to tell myself I could do it, it was gonna work, and I realized now that I've gotten past that, it's very harder like to put a boundary around me now. Like now it's a challenge, right? Like if you tell me I can't do something, I'm like, "Oh, let's see." I bet you, you know, even if I'll fail, like the first few times, I want to try to see if I can do it because I now have this delusion that I can teach myself to do just about anything, so. [00:28:18] Lindsey Dinneen: That's awesome. [00:28:20] Logan McKnight: Or not. [00:28:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, no, that is incredible. And you're absolutely right. I think we can all relate to, at least in some element of our lives, painting boxes around ourselves and going, "I'm not this," or "I'm not that," or "I'll never get to be able to do this. I'll never be proficient." And those things aren't true. It's just what we tell ourselves. So I love the fact that painting opened up those doors for you. [00:28:43] Logan McKnight: Yeah. No it's so true. And I think it's like a. You know, a metaphor for life. And I think I hear that a lot of times from people will be like, "I wish I could do what you," and I'm like, " You can literally do anything." That's how crazy. And, you know, we're in peak New Year's resolution time, right? And I think a lot of people are like, "Oh, I wanna do this and do that." And that's like, you can, you just like, if you wanna be a person that exercises more. Just go start exercising. That's how wild the world, like our brains can make us do whatever we want. So anyway, I'm also a big psychology buff 'cause I, I'm a big believer in like the power of the human brain and what it can do over your decision making and your life and the impact it can have, you know, everything really. [00:29:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. No, absolutely. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. I love that perspective and yeah, growth mindset is a wonderful gift because, you know, you can explore, you can try, and as long as you're sticking with it and doing those things, then you're not failing. You're just, you're just exploring and then you can just keep exploring and find things that are right for you. And you know, not everything will stick, and that's okay too, so. [00:29:55] Logan McKnight: Yeah, a hundred percent. Yeah. I always tell people "I'm still figuring what I, or figuring out what I wanna do when I grow up." You know, and I think that's an ongoing thing, and I hope when I'm 80, I still am figuring out like what's next. [00:30:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. [00:30:07] Logan McKnight: It's exciting. So. [00:30:08] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. All right, well pivoting the conversation a little bit just for fun. Imagine that you were to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass on anything you want. It could be within your industry, but it doesn't have to be. What would you choose to teach? [00:30:24] Logan McKnight: You know, I think this, it ends up being the thing I talk about most. And it's the thing I think I wanted to do initially, but it was really a struggle to just target and talk to managers, especially like frontline managers. But I think that transition from being an independent contributor to becoming a first time leader-- like if I could teach a masterclass in that, I think that would be really fun. I see so many very empathetic and like capable independent contributors, whether they be like rockstar sales rep or even a great like technologist or engineer. And then they were like, "Okay, well I need to move up the ladder. I'm gonna be a people manager," and then their next step is people management. And they're like, "This sucks. Like I, nobody told me about like all the things I have to deal with and the people." And you're still in the mindset of like box checking, of like, in order to be successful, "I have to do all these things. I have to do X, Y, and Z." And I think that the second I stopped checking all the boxes and trying to do all the things was when I went from being like a manager to an actual leader of people and activating them. And if I could just get a few people who I believe, like I've even seen so many really great people leave the industry because they feel like they want to advance, but they don't see because they weren't a good manager, like, "Well, how would I ever be a good director or a good VP," or so on and so forth. The reality is like probably the hardest transition is going from independent contributor to a manager, and yet it's like the least supported space. So that's I think that's something I feel deeply passionate about and would love to like able to offer as a resource more for people. [00:32:10] Lindsey Dinneen: And that would be an incredible masterclass. Okay, and then how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:32:18] Logan McKnight: I love that one. I mean, I think at the end of the day, that's the impact thing. You know, and I don't even think it has to be this, like, big, you know, like, "Oh, I, you know, solved healthcare in Ghana." Like, you know, it's not that. It's almost like I, I hope that like my company and my interaction with people leaves everyone feeling a little lighter, a little happier, like a little more capable to do like something, and they feel like talking with me, working with me has unlocked like the next level of something that they've been struggling with and makes them feel like, "Okay, I can do this now." 'Cause I almost feel like that's what, what coaching and consulting comes down to is I'm not doing the thing for anybody. I am only helping to remove the roadblock around them, that they stop limiting themselves and they really see what's possible just by making a few changes in the way they think, in the way they operate their business or run their team. And, you know, amazing things happen. So my hope is that I just continue to get to do that and have people that really feel positive impact from that. [00:33:26] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Well that is a beautiful legacy, so, yeah. All right. And then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:33:38] Logan McKnight: Oh, gosh. Well, we just talked about this before our call, but my dog, I have, I'm an animal lover, and so I have the fortune that every day, most every day I'm in my home office and I get to go on a hike or walk with my dogs, either around our property or out somewhere in beautiful Washington. And I think just like seeing the mountains and being out with my dog, like that just makes me smile. And I think it's also what inspired me to paint and all the things. So I, I think just all the beauty like in the world just makes me smile and makes my heart very happy. [00:34:12] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. Oh my goodness. That's beautiful. All right, well this has been an amazing conversation, Logan. I so appreciate you and your time today. And we're so honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is dedicated to preventing animal cruelty in the United States. So thank you for choosing that organization to support and we just wish you continued success as you work to change lives for a better world. [00:34:43] Logan McKnight: Yeah, thanks for having me. We'll talk soon. [00:34:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Sounds good. Thank you and take care. [00:34:49] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

We are celebrating National FFA week by sharing about famous past members to news of a new Florida invasive species, learn about Tigger auctioneering overseas plus what to know regarding international travel and tips to stay safe! Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC' and Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! Season 6, Episode 278 Famous FFA Alumni Who Shaped America The National FFA Organization has produced leaders in business, politics, science, and entertainment. FFA builds skills in leadership, public speaking, agriculture, and community service. Notable FFA Alumni Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt (Alumni and Honorary Chapter FArmer, FFA Livestock Judging Coach): National Radio Show Host, New Broadcaster, PRCA Announcer. 39th President Jimmy Carter Johnny Cash Charlie Daniels John Mellencamp Willie Nelson Don Henley of The Eagles George Strait Cody Johnson Tim McGraw Taylor Swift Bo Jackson (Sports Legend) Brantley Gilbert Trace Adkins Easton Corbin Chancey Williams Jim Davis - Creator of the Garfield comics! Lane Frost Tuff Hedeman Baxter Black Reference: https://ffa.app.box.com/s/6pe6an7rgm9c042tbkbobqc8tuu0o1hz South Florida Faces Growing Threat from Invasive Nile Monitors A new invasive predator is spreading in South Florida — and it's a big one. The Nile monitor, a six-foot-long lizard native to Africa, is gaining ground in parts of the state. Wildlife officials say the species poses a serious threat to native animals, and it can now be killed year-round without a permit. Known for tackling invasive reptiles, trapper Mike Kimmel — also called the Python Cowboy — describes the Nile monitor as “like a python mixed with an iguana.” They're powerful, intelligent predators, similar to a smaller Komodo dragon. On Florida's west coast, especially in Cape Coral, biologists have been battling the species for nearly 20 years. Hundreds have been trapped, but pockets remain. That's concerning because Cape Coral is also home to Florida's largest population of the threatened Burrowing owl, which nests in the ground — making it vulnerable to predators like the Nile monitor. These lizards are carnivores. They eat fish, frogs, birds, eggs, small mammals — even young crocodiles — and have been known to attack chickens and small pets. They can grow up to 6.5 feet long, weigh nearly 20 pounds, run up to 18 miles per hour, and swim underwater for nearly an hour. Their ability to travel along canals and waterways has helped them spread. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is actively removing Nile monitors and urges residents to report any sightings. Wildlife officials warn: this is one invasive species South Florida can't afford to ignore. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/florida-newest-invasive-nile-monitors/ What To Do To Minimize Stress About International Travel and “Shelter In Place” Warnings Last weekend Americans were told to shelter in place following a Mexican drug lord's death on Feb. 22, 2026. As a result, parts of Mexico have seen civil unrest in the wake of his death, including vehicles being torched and gunmen, believed to have supported the deceased, blocking highways in more than a dozen Mexico states. This is a great reminder that anytime traveling beyond the U.S. borders to utilize the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service to U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll a trip abroad so that the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact in case of emergency. Benefits of STEP Updates about health, weather, safety and security for your destination. Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy. Helps the embassy or consulate contact you if there is an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency. Current Status: According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico website. Actions to Take: Seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements. Avoid areas around law enforcement activity. Check @CAPUFE on X for status of road closures. Monitor local media for updates. Follow the directions of local authorities and in case of emergency, call 911. Keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text, and social media. How To Be Travel Prepared Traveling abroad: Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Pack snacks such as microwave popcorn and small snacks. Stock your hotel room with extra bottled water and individually packaged snacks. Advise family and friends of location, length of trip and emergency contact information. Travel with extra medications as well as over the counter aides such as cold and fever meds. Philippines During this episode we learn how radio host, Jeff "Tigger" Erhardt", traveled to the Philippines for auctioneering. Tigger is a licensed and bonded auctioneer, with over 20 years experience. The Philippines was a new venture for Tigger and he shares in-depth the difference between American Auctions vs International and then selling Heavy Equipment in a foreign currency. Quick Philippines Travel Summary The Philippines are located in Southeast Asia, in the western Pacific Ocean and consist of over 7,100 islands. Positioned east of Vietnam and north of Indonesia. Capital: Manila Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP). Cash is king outside major cities. Language: Filipino and English Best Time to Visit the Philippines There are two main seasons. Dry Season: November–May (best time, especially Dec–April) Rainy Season: June–October (typhoons possible) Philippines Travel Tips Recommend drinking only bottled or filtered water. Street food is popular but choose busy vendors. Consider routine vaccines (consult your doctor). Sun protection is essential - climate is very humid and hot. OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or stories to share about bighorn sheep, outdoor adventures, or wildlife conservation, don't hesitate to reach out. Call or text us at 305-900-BEND (305-900-2363), or send an email to BendRadioShow@gmail.com. Stay connected by following us on social media at Facebook/Instagram @thebendshow or by subscribing to The Bend Show on YouTube. Visit our website at TheBendShow.com for more exciting content and updates! https://thebendshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebendshow WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC' Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation. With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire those who appreciate God's Country and life on the land. United by a common mission, Tigger & BEC offer a glimpse into the life beyond the beaten path and down dirt roads. They're here to share knowledge, answer your questions, and join you in your own success story. Adventure awaits around the bend. With The Outdoors, the Western Heritage, Rural America, and Wildlife Conservation at the forefront, Tigger and BEC live this lifestyle every day. To learn more about Tigger & BEC's journey and their passion for the outdoors, visit TiggerandBEC.com. https://tiggerandbec.com/

In this episode of the Green Side Up Podcast, Jason and Jordan sit down with guest Erin Alvarez to recap the first annual Landscape Rodeo at Ancient City Farmstead. They walk through what it took to pull off a brand‑new event—from last‑minute insurance and equipment logistics to course design, sponsors, and volunteers—plus highlights like the truck and trailer / Isuzu box truck course, the articulated wheel loader water challenge, a VIP night with an epic low country boil, and a crawfish race. You'll hear how FFA students, owner‑operators, larger landscape companies, UF, and vendors all came together to compete for custom belt buckles and showcase real‑world skills in the green industry, and why one FFA student's comment on local TV proved the event is a real pipeline for the next generation. The episode closes with Jordan sharing the story behind his wife Sydney's new children's book, "Looking for Bunny Flies," a nature‑themed seek‑and‑find inspired by her late father's bedtime stories. Landscape Rodeo: Action News Connect with Jason and Jordan:

With Jim Dickson — Founding Partner and CEO, Elevation Point Overview Louis Diamond speaks with the founder and CEO of Elevation Point about building a next-generation independent platform focused on ownership, minority capital, data strategy, and scalable, durable advisory firms. Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. Watch… https://youtu.be/D0-y8Q-DYvg About this episode… For decades, advisors operated under the assumption that there was a single path to success—a defined route dominated by the largest and most prominent firms. Over time, the landscape of options expanded, and the independent space matured. With it came a new set of challenges: how to turn the pursuit of freedom and control into something durable, scalable, and ultimately into a true enterprise. Jim Dickson has been thinking through that challenge for most of his career. After two decades at Merrill, Jim went on to found Sanctuary Wealth (a story we shared earlier in this series), where he played a central role in shaping what supportive independence could look like for growing advisory teams. Today, his own journey has entered a new chapter with Elevation Point—a next-generation independent platform focused on helping advisors take business ownership to a new level, with alignment, scalability, and long-term value at the core. In this episode, Jim and Louis Diamond talk about what led Jim to this new chapter, including: Elevation Point's unique value proposition—and how it fills a gap in the landscape. The value of capital—and how Elevation Point adds value along the way. Increasing enterprise value—and what advisors can do to grow without sacrificing control. Ownership and alignment—and why “how much of the pie you actually own” becomes more important as firms grow. Growth and partnership—and what it really means to build a firm intentionally over time. AI, data, and technology—and how each can support better decision-making. This is a story about yet another evolution in the landscape of options available to advisors—and why the future of independence is less about exits and more about elevation. Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002. Related Resources The Right Way to Build a TeamThree strategies to create a foundation designed to foster long-term alignment and growth—and, ultimately, a legacy. MaxCeV™: How to Maximize Your Career Enterprise ValueThis tool breaks down four key factors that contribute to career enterprise value, offering a framework for advisors to conceptualize and achieve their full potential. An Advisor's Guide to 2026: What 2025 Set in Motion and What Comes NextAs 2026 comes into focus, advisors face a new set of strategic questions. This Industry Update explores the forces reshaping growth, deal structures, and enterprise value—and what those shifts may signal for the new year and beyond. JIM DICKSON FOUNDING PARTNER AND CEO  Jim Dickson is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, private investor, and innovator in wealth management with over four decades of experience in the financial services industry. Renowned for his advocacy for independent financial advisors, Jim is a visionary leader with experience in designing and implementing high-growth strategies for advisory firms.  Jim's deep understanding of the industry landscape positions him as a driving force behind transformative change, empowering advisors and firms to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. His growth mindset for RIAs and independence-seeking advisors prioritizes an “advisor-first” approach, tailored to an advisor's values and long-term vision.  Jim co-founded Elevation Point with Mark Penske in 2024 to serve as a value-aligned growth partner to independence-focused advisors and RIAs. Jim previously founded and built nationally recognized wealth management firm Sanctuary Wealth, which he launched in 2018. He was the visionary behind Sanctuary Wealth's Partnered IndependenceSM platform, providing elite advisors with all of the tools, services, and resources needed to fully and effectively serve their clients. Under Jim's leadership, it grew rapidly into one of the industry's top RIA firms, with more than $25 billion in assets and 76 partner firms in 28 states by 2023, when he left the firm.  Prior to Sanctuary Wealth, Jim spent 20 years as a senior divisional executive building and leading strategy for Merrill Lynch in Indianapolis and Chicago. He began his career as an accountant at Ernst & Young in Indianapolis.  Jim received his bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from Butler University, where he later served on the Board of Trustees for six years. He has been a leadership conference judge for FFA, a national non-profit organization preparing middle and high school students for careers in agricultural science, business, and technology.

Amanda Holman has been the advisor of Iola High School's FFA chapter for the last nine years. She's watched how the organization has helped develop leaders and challenge young people to grow in new and exciting ways. This week is National FFA Week, a chance to celebrate the nation's largest student-led organization and reflect on its impact. In this week's episode of “Registered,” we do just that, talking with Holman about just what makes her so passionate about FFA.

  On this episode of the WB Download, host Jeff Wieland sits down with Mark Staley and Todd Casey from 84 Lumber to talk about what it really takes to build strong homes and even stronger partnerships.Jeff and his guests dive into the long-standing relationship between 84 Lumber and Wieland Builders, discussing the critical role of consistent lumber supply, dependable sales support, and navigating the ever-changing building materials market that's needed for custom home builders. From market fluctuations to procurement challenges, Mark and Todd share how their team prioritizes quality, reliability, and customer service in every interaction.As a second-generation, family-owned company, 84 Lumber's history and culture were front and center in the conversation. They break down their manager trainee program, leadership development, and how they invest in young, innovative employees to keep the company and the industry moving forward.The episode also covers:The value of guaranteed bids in an unpredictable marketWhy proper delivery and material handling can make or break a jobHonest conversations about overhead, margins, and the realities of running a construction businessThe challenges of negotiating pricing and managing financial riskBeyond the jobsite, Mark and Todd share 84 Lumber's involvement in tiny homes, disaster relief initiatives, and community support programs including the Boy Scouts, along with personal stories from their experiences in 4-H and FFA.Throughout the episode, one theme stands out: mutual respect, transparency, and teamwork are the foundation of a successful partnership.If you're in the construction industry or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at how strong builder-supplier relationships drive successful projects, this is an episode you won't want to miss.84 Lumber websiteEmail Jeff your comments, questions, and topic requests, or be a guest on The WB Download.Email: WBDOWNLOAD@wielandbuilders.comSee Wieland Builders custom home gallery  www.wielandbuilders.comReceive inspiration monthly in our monthly newsletter See podcast behind the scenes photosFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Houzz or Pinterest 

National FFA Week: The February 23 edition of the AgNet News Hour put the spotlight on one of the most influential youth organizations in agriculture, the National FFA Organization. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill opened the program discussing improving weather conditions across California as bloom season approaches, but the heart of the show focused on celebrating National FFA Week and the leadership pipeline shaping agriculture's future. Joining the program was Christy Meyer, Marketing and Communications Director for the National FFA Organization. Meyer shared that FFA now serves more than one million members nationwide, with over 9,000 chapters across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Established in 1948, National FFA Week was strategically designed to include George Washington's birthday, honoring his agricultural roots and reinforcing farming's foundational role in America. Throughout the week, chapters host service projects, alumni celebrations, advisor appreciation events, and community outreach efforts. One of the most impactful days is Advisor Appreciation Day, recognizing agricultural educators who often serve as mentors well beyond the classroom. Papagni emphasized that nearly every FFA member he has interviewed credits a teacher or advisor for life-changing guidance. Meyer noted that FFA participation does not require growing up on a farm. Students enroll through agricultural education courses that range from animal science and plant science to agricultural technology and agribusiness. The organization prepares students for more than 300 agriculture-related career pathways, including food science, engineering, communications, research, and emerging ag technologies. Leadership development remains the cornerstone of the organization. Public speaking, critical thinking, community service, and hands-on supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) equip members with marketable skills that translate well beyond agriculture. McGill shared his own background studying agricultural education and acknowledged how FFA builds confidence and professionalism in young leaders. The program also touched on broader agricultural policy developments, including federal efforts to prioritize domestic glyphosate and phosphate production. Hosts noted that strengthening agricultural inputs at home could help stabilize costs for growers nationwide. As bloom season begins and spring approaches, the message was clear: the future of agriculture depends not only on technology and policy, but on cultivating the next generation of leaders. National FFA Week serves as a reminder that agriculture's strength lies in its people, and the young men and women proudly wearing blue jackets today may soon be leading farms, companies, and communities tomorrow.

Nearly 300 4-H and FFA students experienced an unforgettable UT Ag Night hosted by the Tennessee Farm Bureau earlier this week. From stepping onto campus and touring iconic Neyland Stadium to cheering on the Vols at a men's basketball game, students got a true taste of college life. The evening also featured an inspiring career panel, where industry professionals shared insights and opportunities available in the field of agriculture.

Ep 247 | Deli meat could cause cancer, China might be infiltrating the FFA, and E. coli has been found in a popular brand's raw milk. What is going on?! This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara go beyond the headlines to discuss what's fact and what's fear in the world of food and agriculture. They also unpack Jennifer Garner's surprise move to take her organic children's food brand public and react to a viral cinnamon harvesting reel that will be the most satisfying thing you see this week What We Discovered This Week

We visit with the FFA state officers about plans to commemorate National FFA Week, their activities this past year, and future plans.  They make for an optimistic future.  

Kasie Harriet is the milkmaid at Shepherd Farms, where she and her husband Jacob are building a direct-to-consumer farm business that includes raw milk, sourdough, tallow skincare, and more, while managing cows in a rotational grazing setup and learning what it really takes to run a small dairy at the family scale.  In This Episode, We Explore:  Kasie's path from FFA and wildlife work into farm life and dairy cows  Why they pursued raw milk and how that led to buying their first family milk cow  Lessons learned from a first cow that tested positive for bacteria and how they handled it  Setting up a movable, low-cost milking stanchion and why “you don't need a lot to do a lot”  Hand milking vs machine milking and the real-world importance of equipment that is easy to clean  Calf sharing, grafting a calf, and how that can add flexibility to dairy cow ownership  Selling excess milk, managing weekly customers, and handling jars and deposits  What to look for when buying a milk cow: testing, temperament, training, feeding history, and more  Using Facebook to educate customers, build trust, and grow a local direct-to-consumer community  Why This Episode Matters  If you are considering a family milk cow or selling raw milk direct-to-consumer, this episode walks through the practical realities that often get skipped, including cow selection, sanitation concerns, equipment choices, customer management, and the setbacks that can happen even when you do things carefully. Kasie's story is a grounded reminder to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.  Resources Mentioned  Keeping a Family Cow by Joann S. Grohman  Keeping a Family Milk Cow, holistic and organic (Facebook group)  Find Out More  Shepherd Farms | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087351095567 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey