Podcasts about ffa

A One-Time Holiday Offer, Big Announcements, and What's Ahead for the Breeders Academy Community Welcome to our Christmas Special! Bred to Perfection and the Breeders Academy are thrilled to invite you to this very special holiday episode packed with exciting announcements, heartfelt gratitude, and a one-time opportunity you won't want to miss. In the spirit of Christmas, and in honor of our incredible 4-H and FFA communities, we're opening the door wider than ever before. What began as a special offer for youth and students is now available to all breeders for a limited time only.  This holiday season, we're giving back with massive discounts on Breeders Academy memberships, and these prices will never be this low again. If you're a new member, this episode is especially for you. You'll learn how to get started, where to find the "Start Here" pages, how to prepare questions, and when to schedule coaching calls. Most importantly, you'll hear this clearly: you are never alone on this journey. Join us as we celebrate Christmas, community, and the future of poultry breeding. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and let's make this Christmas the best one ever. #BreedersAcademy #BredToPerfection #ChristmasSpecial #PoultryBreeding #HolidaySavings #4H #FFA #BackyardBreeders #BreederCommunity #PoultryPodcast #OneTimeOffer #BreedingTheFuture See ya there! Kenny Troiano Founder of "The Breeders Academy"  We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl.  If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place.  We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl. If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation's 2025 President's Cup Winners - Carl & Linda Montgomery of Eden, Idaho

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller have the news including what Indiana farmers should be thinking about as we get closer to the new year and a report on what over 1 million U.S. FFA members might like to see under the Christmas tree this year. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin updates you on the Indiana Farm Forecast which has colder air today and then a little warmer again. Thursday grain and oilseed markets were mixed as corn and wheat futures worked above even all day. Andy Eubank has settlements and analyst Tom Fritz provides commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

In this week's AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Lori Boyer sit down with Alexandra Duarte, almond grower and candidate for California State Senate District 4, to discuss the challenges facing rural communities, water management, and the future of agriculture. Duarte shares her campaign vision, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, state and federal collaboration, and empowering the next generation of farmers. The episode also features an interview with Leslie Hickle and Eamonn Keogh from Farm Sense, showcasing innovative AI-driven solutions for real-time pest management in orchards. Alexandra Duarte: Fighting for Rural Communities and Agriculture Alexandra Duarte has spent decades in agriculture and understands firsthand the pressures on California's farmers. On the campaign trail, she's heard consistent concerns from sheriffs, educators, and local business owners: high costs of water and energy, staffing shortages, and limited rural resources. Duarte argues that California doesn't have a water shortage, but rather a “Sacramento problem”, and she's committed to working with both state and federal agencies to solve these challenges. Duarte highlights her strong relationships in Washington, including ties through her husband, former Congressman John Duarte, as a key asset for navigating agricultural policy. She plans to prioritize water management, infrastructure, and natural resources in rural communities, ensuring funding from Sacramento benefits the Central Valley, not just coastal regions. She also stresses the importance of supporting young farmers, promoting agricultural education through FFA and 4-H programs, and encouraging more farmers and business leaders to step into political roles. Farm Sense: AI Technology for Smarter Farming Following the main interview, the show turns to innovation in the field with Leslie Hickle and Eamonn Keogh of Farm Sense. Their AI-powered sensors provide real-time data on orchard pests, including navel orangeworm and codling moth, enabling growers to optimize treatment timing and reduce chemical use. With pricing comparable to traditional sticky traps and environmentally conscious benefits like reduced CO2 emissions, Farm Sense is helping farmers save money, improve efficiency, and move toward more organic practices. Growers can monitor pest populations via mobile devices, customize treatments based on life stage analysis, and reduce unnecessary labor. Hickle and Keogh emphasize that technology like this is critical as farming evolves, particularly in the era of AI and automation. Looking Ahead: Agriculture, Automation, and Small Business The conversation also touches on the broader challenges facing farmers and small businesses, including labor shortages, minimum wage pressures, and automation. Duarte and the AgNet team highlight the need for ROI-focused solutions that help small farms remain competitive, while new technology and delivery trends are reshaping rural economies. They also explore the role of consumers in supporting small businesses over large corporations, emphasizing sustainability and local community impact. Call to Action: Learn more about Alexandra Duarte's campaign for State Senate District 4 by visiting her official website and connecting via social media. Learn more about Farm Sense and their AI-driven pest management solutions at farmsense.io.

Drake Hinson was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart because of his involvement and dedication to his school, sports, and community. Drake plays football, basketball, soccer, and baseball, and participates in Rotary, speech, and FFA. What Drake loves most about being involved in high school activities is the number of opportunities he can get. He is able to meet and interact with students from other schools and display good sportsmanship. Drake is also involved in his community as a Cornerstone Youth Leader and football/basketball camp helper. He participates in the Rotary Club and helps with community Angel Tree gifts. Drake has had the opportunity to grow up around friends and family who are farmers. Through this experience, he has respect for every farmer and the amount of dedication that they put into their work. Drake recognizes agriculture as the cornerstone of America, as it feeds the community, strengthens the economy, and teaches valuable lessons, such as discipline and teamwork. To Drake, agriculture means resilience, hard work, and commitment, like how to show up every day, even when you don't want to. Drake plans to play baseball at DMACC for two years and then transfer to a 4-year college to continue his baseball career. He wants to study engineering to eventually work for John Deere.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Governor wannabe SOS Read says ‘enough is enough' about $7,000 drug hotline calls: https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/12/enough-is-enough-oregons-secretary-of-state-demands-accountability-for-the-states-failed-addiction-response.html Kotax's failures lead to 98% of food stamp fraud is out of state: https://oregoncatalyst.com/93224-98-food-stamp-fraud-occurs-state-kotek-care.html Should Republican Rep Greg Smith resign after Ethics Commission finds him guilty of breaking the law? https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/12/republicans-bosses-silent-on-finding-greg-smith-broke-ethics-laws.html OR voting rolls are not compliant with Fed law: https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/2001109561399500874 OR Dems gonna wipe out FFA funding unless you act now! https://x.com/BoshartDavisAg/status/2001372664473272439FBI lied about citizens stopping 48% of all shooters last year: FBI said it was zero percent: https://x.com/Rightanglenews/status/2001366592387715352 Inflation lower than forecast in spite of tariff caterwauling: https://www.theepochtimes.com/business/us-annual-inflation-rate-falls-sharply-to-2-7-percent-in-november-5959870?ea_src=frontpage&ea_med=section-1  

In this episode, six individuals connected with FFA provide an outstanding capsulized overview of the new innovative FFA Pilot Chapter Connect Program.Show guests include:Lloyd Daley-Graham, National FFA Belonging & Engagement ManagerCorey Flourney, National FFA Executive in ResidenceCarrie Bossard, Agriculture Teacher and Penn Yan Academy FFA AdvisorClaire Sandstrom, Penn Yan Academy Senior and FFA Chapter Vice PresidentCaela Sause, Agriculture Instructor and Orlando Colonial FFA Advisor and Adrian Rivera Morales, Orlando Colonial Junior and FFA Chapter PresidentSpecific topics covered include:*FFA roles*History of the start-up of The Chapter Connect Program* The Three Phase Segments of The FFA Chapter Connect*Initial Interactive Outcomes from Orlando Colonial and Penn Yan Academy*Long Range goal of the Program*Program linkYou will want to catch this program!

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we speak with Kentucky FFA State Reporter Sierra Morris and State Treasurer Tyren Harris. Sierra and Tyren each tell us about their respective FFA journeys and stress the importance of authenticity and vulnerability when connecting with members and sponsors across all ages.Links:State OfficersCarter G. Woodson AcademyWestern Hills

Ty Oyen has been named a Beck's Player with Heart due to his dedication to his school, community, and the agriculture industry. Ty has spent his entire life farming. He doesn't see it as a job, but instead as a lifestyle that he will never give up. After football practice, he goes straight to the field. When he's asked about it, he says farming is not work to him and that he enjoys it a lot. Ty is the captain of the football team, a team leader in basketball, and participates in track. He is also part of FFA and FBLA. Ty enjoys the teamwork aspect of these activities, as everyone gets along and works together towards one goal. Ty is involved in several community activities, including with his church. He and his brother are often called on by their pastor if the church requires manual labor. His family also acts as their area's mechanics, so Ty often helps diagnose and fix farm equipment. Ty plans to attend South Dakota State University to study ag business and play football.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Blaize Ahrens was selected as a Beck's Player with Heart because of his involvement and dedication to his school, sports, and community. Blaize plays football, baseball, and basketball, and participates in track and FFA, serving as the vice president of facilities. Through these activities, he is able to spend time doing the things he loves the most with a great group of people. Blaize serves his community through FFA, where he has planned a day to spend time playing board games with elementary school kids for his leadership project. He is also involved in Farm Safety Day, cooks meals for the school pantry, and plants trees around his community. Through his involvement in agriculture and FFA, Blaize has learned how to become a better leader. He values his time with the FFA and has gained a lot through his officer position. In the future, Blaize plans to attend Iowa State University to study animal science and/or ag business.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a Beck's Player with Heart, Brittany Reilly shows her dedication and passion on and off the court and field. She is a committed multi-sport athlete, participating in basketball, volleyball, and softball, and she enjoys helping younger athletes as a youth sports mentor. She is also active in her FFA chapter, where she continues to build leadership skills and stay connected to agriculture. To Brittany, high school sports are about teamwork, friendships, and pride. She loves the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a team and feels honored to wear her school's name across her chest, knowing not everyone has the same opportunities. Her impact extends far beyond athletics. She plays an important role in her church as a Sunday school teacher, nursery leader, and volunteer for Vacation Bible School. She also mentors at the Special Final Drive during the county fair and helps with her sister's fire department's picnic. Growing up on a farm has helped shape Brittany's values. Caring for show pigs and working with crops has taught her responsibility, patience, and appreciation for the generations before her. After graduation, Brittany plans to attend Edgewood University to study elementary education with a minor in special education, while continuing her basketball career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breckin Borchardt has been named a Beck's Player with Heart due to his dedication to his school, community, and the agriculture industry. To Breckin, agriculture is his passion. From a very young age, Breckin has been helping around the farm and has learned the importance of hard work and responsibility. He believes that agriculture impacts every aspect of the world around us. Breckin currently participates in cross-country, track and field, trap shooting, band, marching band, and FFA. He enjoys being a part of a team that has become like a family and practicing important skills like teamwork, leadership, and overcoming adversity with his peers. Breckin is involved in his church and volunteers for his community's summer celebration, where he participates in city park setups, clean-ups, and serving meals. Breckin is following his passion for agriculture by attending Ellsworth Community College to major in precision agriculture technology. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Steeke was chosen as a Beck's Player with Heart for his commitment and passion to his school and community. John participates in fishing and wrestling, as well as FFA. He loves meeting new people and sharing ideas, especially through FFA, where he can talk to people about agriculture. John is a dedicated member of his community, helping at his church and at the county fair. To John, agriculture isn't just the people in the fields, but also the people in the labs and the offices. He believes that agriculture is the key to a better future, and to achieve it, we all need to work together. John plans on getting his CDL after school and wants to own his own farm in the future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lauren Louden was chosen as a Beck's Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the field, court, and track. In school, Lauren participates in volleyball, wrestling, cheer, track, and trap shooting. She is also involved in FFA, band, yearbook, and the National Honor Society. Lauren loves being able to compete because it shows the payoff of her hard work during practice. She enjoys participating in tournaments and meets, as well as the environment it creates. She makes sure to celebrate everyone's success because she knows how hard they have worked. In her community, Lauren is very involved in her church, helping younger kids with Vacation Bible School in the summer and during their Christmas program. She also volunteers with the county fair, helping in the kitchen, serving ice cream, and cleaning up trash. She has also helped with the fair games, doing trial runs to make sure they work. To Lauren, agriculture means providing people with the essentials needed to survive, including food, water, shelter, and clothing. She emphasizes that agriculture extends far beyond farming and livestock to include many roles such as marketing, transportation, and forestry. She knows agriculture is a collective effort involving many jobs and constant trial and error to meet the needs of a growing population. It is a way of life that requires adaptability, innovation, and collaboration, allowing people to feel fulfilled by helping others every day. Lauren plans to attend Iowa State University to study event management. She is also interested in helping with the Iowa State Fair, state and national FFA conventions, and completing mission work in other countries.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Caroline Endsley has been named a Beck's Player with Heart due to her dedication to her school, community, and the agriculture industry. To Caroline, agriculture represents her family's past, present, and future. Caroline's family has been farming for generations, and she has grown up around farmers, developing a deep appreciation for the industry. She raises livestock on her family's farm to show through 4-H, and through her involvement in the industry, has found a home in agriculture. Caroline is involved in cross-country, track and field, Foreign Language Club, and FFA. She is also the senior class president and is part of the National Honor Society. Caroline loves being able to improve her physical and mental strength through these activities while forming friendships with her teammates. She enjoys setting goals to hold herself accountable and appreciates the teammates who will help push her towards those goals. Caroline says she is incredibly grateful for her mentors and coaches who have taught her the skills she needs to succeed. In her community, Caroline is involved in 4-H, the Fairfield County Foundation Youth Advisory Committee, and the InspiHer Girls Leadership Retreat. Caroline plans to attend college to study biological sciences and wants to go to medical school. She wants to become a physician and open a medical practice in rural America, somewhere she calls "home."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ryan Meredith was selected as a Becks Player with Heart for his dedication to his school, sports, and his community. Ryan participates in baseball, basketball, football, and trap shooting, and he is heavily involved in school activities, including Spanish Club, the National Honor Society, and Student Council. He also serves as student body vice president and is part of FFA, Soils Judging, and Poultry Evaluation. What he loves most about high school sports is the atmosphere of the games and being around friends and family who come together to achieve a common goal. He values competing alongside teammates while feeling the support of his town behind every game. Ryan's commitment to others extends into his community through several volunteer opportunities. He volunteers with Wee Warrior Football, helps run school carnivals, sets up Denver Days, builds sheds, mows lawns for neighbors, and coaches for the Warrior Wrestling Club. For Ryan, agriculture means producing food and providing what others need. Through judging soils and poultry, he has learned how to evaluate quality and educate the community. After graduation, he plans to attend college to study mechanical engineering and continue building a future shaped by hard work and service.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textLeslie Edgar grew up in a large family Kuna, Idaho, where her parents emphasized the importance of hard work and education. Back then, she probably never knew that her life would take her to multiple states only to return as the J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho. What a journey.In this podcast, Dean Edgar breaks down how a land-grant university works with students, farmers, 4-H, FFA, extension agencies, and a host of other agriculture groups. Her message is simple. The University of Idaho has an amazing network of resources and projects to further the future of farming and ranching and they are accessible to a diversity of people that need them.

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we speak with Kentucky FFA State Sentinel Madison Wright and Green River State Vice President Mikayla Fields, both students at the University of Kentucky.Madison and Mikayla discuss how FFA influenced their college choices and careers, what surprised them most about state office and what they've learned about being a good teammate.Links:Owen County FFARooted in Ag podcastOhio County FFAMartin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Cecelia Tavs was chosen as a Beck's Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the course, court, and track. In school, Cecelia is involved in FFA, Skills USA, Student Council, HOSA, and band. She plays basketball and participates in cross country and track and field. Athletics has allowed her to connect and grow with her peers. As the president of HOSA, she loves being able to develop leadership skills and qualities. Qualities like compassion and enthusiasm have created a wonderful environment for her teammates and a culture of feeling valued. Cecelia is very active in her community, volunteering at elementary schools, community centers, and at a garden that donates to local food pantries. Cecelia gained respect and love for agriculture through FFA. It has become an important pillar in her life, helping her develop skills in public speaking and grow her self-confidence. Cecelia plans to attend a university to pursue a career in genetic research and one day earn her PhD. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brock Fier was selected as a Beck's Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the field. In school, Brock participates in football and wrestling, allowing him to connect with his friends while positively representing his community and self. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, 4-H, and FFA. Through these programs, Brock has been able to help with food and blood drives, as well as Veteran programs, ditch clean-ups, hayrides, and waffle feeds. He is seen as a leader by his peers, as the FFA president, the captain of the wrestling team, and the leader of the Dairy Management team. His involvement in agriculture started when he was young on his dad's and uncle's dairy farm, and continues today, as he is very involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm. He says the dairy farm is where he learned many life skills, including hard work, determination, and responsibility. Brock's plans include attending Southeast Tech and, after graduating, he wishes to return to his community and one day run his own electric company. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eli Wilson was selected as a Beck's Player with Heart because of his involvement and dedication to his school, sports, and community. Eli is involved with his school's football, cross country, basketball, and baseball. Eli is a natural-born leader, being the president of FFA, the National Honor Society, and the Student Council. He is also a member of the Class of 2026 Executive Committee, mentor group, marching band, and pep band. Being a part of so many groups allows Eli to meet many different types of people, which he says is what he loves most. He believes meeting people from different walks of life will allow him to grow and shape him into a well-rounded person. Eli is a part of his Jr. Pork Council, where he helps set up pens, works weigh-ins, work shows, and helps with the sale. For Eli, Agriculture has shaped his entire life. From a young age, Eli has helped on his family's farm, crediting his parents for helping him develop a passion for the work. As time went on, Eli would learn more skills like equipment maintenance, woodworking, and business management. Now, Eli manages almost the entirety of the farm's operation. Agriculture is a way of life for Eli, and he hopes to continue his dedication by attending a four-year college and majoring in agricultural engineering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Isabelle Landgraf was nominated as a Beck's Player with heart for her dedication and commitment on and off the field and court. In school, Isabelle participated in volleyball, cross country, dance, basketball, track, and softball. She is also involved in FFA as a two-time president and a member of the National Honor Society. She loves the bonds she has been able to create and being a leader to those people. Isabelle is very active in her community, participating in 4-H and her county's youth council. She is currently serving as Buena Vista County Fair Princess and upkeeps two Little Free Libraries around her community. Isabelle sees agriculture as a strong industry, dedicated to helping others thrive. She knows that agriculture has a positive effect on the world around us. Isabelle plans to attend St. Catherine's University and major in nutrition and dietetics. She also wishes to continue her passion for running in college. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Luella Bluhm was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart for her dedication and commitment on and off the field. In school, Luella plays tennis and participates in cross country, swimming, FFA, BPA, and the Sunshine Society. She has been part of student government throughout high school and has held an officer position all four years. Luella says she loves connecting with her classmates and friends outside of the classroom. She enjoys learning about different things she wouldn't have learned in normal classes and being part of the team environment. Through these activities, she makes new memories that will last forever. Luella is involved in 4-H and her local church. With 4-H, she has helped around her community, such as making tie blankets for children in local hospitals. Through her church's youth group, she was able to attend a mission trip to Burgos, Spain, where they assisted a local church in running a Vacation Bible School for children in preschool through fifth grade. To Luella, agriculture means hard work, which she has seen demonstrated through her family members, friends, and personal experience. Being a part of the industry means working hard not only for yourself but also for others.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep 238 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into Jeff Bezos' role in the beef industry, the end of a 200-year-old publication, and why your FFA jacket just became a fashion statement. The hosts tackle viral claims about methane-reducing feed additives for cattle, separating Bill Gates' investments from Bezos' initiatives. They discuss the Bovaer controversy in Denmark where farmers are now required to use methane-reducing supplements, and explore the tension between environmental responsibility and farmer autonomy. Plus, the Farmer's Almanac is publishing its final edition after 206 years, FFA jackets have become the hottest vintage fashion item, and the hosts reveal why your Costco pecans are at least a year old. Stick around for a disco debrief on the first documented US death from Alpha-Gal Syndrome (the tick-borne meat allergy), plus a deep dive into the pecan supply chain. Spoiler: the US grows 80% of the world's pecans, but we ship them to Mexico to be shelled, then import them back. The food supply chain is wild, and the hosts break down why "fresh" is complicated. What We Discovered This Week

The latest midweek edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a fast-paced blend of California agriculture updates, community conversations, and industry innovations. Hosted by Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer, the episode covered everything from winter health habits to major ag policy issues, commodity challenges, and new breakthroughs shaping U.S. farming. Seasonal Trends, Food Costs & Community Life Nick and Lorrie opened the show discussing winter colds, flu season, and staying healthy in public spaces. Their lighthearted talk about potlucks and restaurant cleanliness led to a more serious point: fast food isn't the cheapest option anymore, and local restaurants continue to struggle with inflation and freight costs. Nick also announced plans to bring holiday spirit into the AgNet West studio and encouraged listeners to share local Christmas light displays for on-air features. California Christmas Tree Farms Under Pressure The hosts explored the challenges facing Christmas tree growers across California and the U.S. Rising production costs, increasing demand for artificial trees, and regulatory hurdles continue to pressure the traditional tree market. A California tree grower is expected to join the show soon for deeper insight. Winter Meeting Season: Key Agriculture Events The episode highlighted several major December events: California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting – Anaheim Almond Board of California Conference – Sacramento Organic Grower Summit – Monterey These conferences offer growers education, networking, and a break from fieldwork during the slower winter season. National Association of Farm Broadcasting: Industry Takeaways Lorrie shared updates from the NAFB Annual Meeting in Kansas City, including: Continued push for year-round E15 availability Reports from major commodity groups, including the Pork Board and NCBA Farm Credit's economic outlook pointing to high input costs, a tight farm economy, and the need for financial discipline, especially for younger producers Her takeaway: agriculture is cyclical—prepare during the good years to withstand the hard ones. Butte County Focus: Interview with Colleen Cecil A major highlight was an in-depth conversation with Colleen Cecil, Executive Director of the Butte County Farm Bureau. Key Themes: Importance of 4-H and FFA in developing leadership and communication skills Workforce challenges and the value of hiring people with agricultural backgrounds Farmland loss due to housing development Water policy and SGMA concerns Wolf reintroduction impacts The need for more farmers in public office Cecil emphasized that policymakers don't need all the answers—they just need reliable agricultural partners to ask. Butte County Commodities: A Diverse, Surprising Mix Butte County produces far more than almonds and walnuts. The region's commodities include: Citrus Nursery stock Prunes Olives & olive oil Kiwis Nick also announced plans to bring premium olive oil producer Vincent Ricchiuti onto a future episode. Innovation Spotlight: Avocados, Organics & New Crop Research The episode highlighted several exciting developments: Heat-tolerant avocado trees from Duarte Nurseries could expand production deeper into the Central Valley. Organic growers continue advancing automation, soil health, and certification practices. Researchers are working on self-fertilizing wheat, disease-resistant crops, and tools to combat threats like citrus greening. Nick reminded listeners that farmers are among the country's top environmental stewards—despite often being misunderstood. Efficiency Across Livestock & Dairy From pork to dairy, U.S. producers continue proving they can do more with less. Better nutrition, management, and automation are driving higher output even as herd sizes decline. Looking Ahead Nick and Lorrie plan to bring more Farm Bureau leaders, California growers, and industry innovators on future episodes. For full interviews, daily ag news, and podcast episodes, visit AgNetWest.com and follow AgNet West on social media.

It was a great week for our scholars as several qualified for the International Thespian Festival, another earned a spot at state for FFA, and the football team advanced to the fourth round for the second straight year!

Ellie Taylor won a national FFA award for her communications work with her HSE High School chapter, I spoke with Ellie from Purdue where she is now a fresh man and talked about her award and work in FFA

Today from SDPB - what one company said value-added agriculture could do for South Dakota soybeans, a capital campaign for the Grant County Development Corporation and a conversation with a South Dakota student who won a national FFA award and

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we hear from Terry Ashby, a retired executive in the poultry industry and a current member of the Kentucky FFA Board of Trustees.Terry shares his story, beginning with his upbringing on a farm in Christian County, Kentucky to his early involvement in FFA and 4-H and his lifelong career with Perdue.Links:Christian County FFAPerdue

Kaleb Jacobs was chosen as a Beck's Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the course, mat, and track. In school, Kaleb participates in cross country, wrestling, track and field, concert band, jazz band, and marching band. He is also involved in the student council and the National Honor Society. He enjoys having the opportunity to connect more with his friends and loves being able to compete with others around the state in what he's passionate about. Kaleb helps his community every Thanksgiving by packing meals for others in need. He also volunteers as a coach and referee for elementary wrestling. Kaleb is involved in Animal Life Sciences and his FFA chapter's welding program. To Kaleb, agriculture is the backbone of the world, supporting every aspect of life. It involves livestock, mechanics, welding, and so much more. While Kaleb is currently undecided as to whether he will attend trade school or a four-year college, he is considering electrical trades.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lane Bruhn has been named a Beck's Player with Heart due to his dedication to his school, community, and the agriculture industry. To Lane, agriculture represents a lot, including seeing his hard work ethic pay off when jobs are completed. Lane works 2,500+ acres of crops on his family farm, and raises his own herd of 35 angus cow/calf pairs. He also helps his dad with a 4,800 hog site and helps operate Bruh Bailing and Trucking. Lane currently plays football and basketball, and says he loves the competition and being able to play with his classmates. He also participates in FFA, 4-H, and Skills USA. Lane is involved in his church and assists with local 4-H services. Lane plans to attend Iowa Lakes Community College to study agribusiness technology.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aubrey Michael was selected as a Beck's Player with Heart because of her involvement and dedication to her school, sports, and community. Aubrey plays volleyball and tennis, participates in FFA, jazz band, and ensemble, and is the drum major for her school's concert and marching bands. She loves the feeling of belonging to something, being able to walk into a room full of people who love the same things she does, and not having to worry about being judged. Aubrey knows she has a supportive team around her and that nothing else matters while doing something she loves. Aubrey serves her community through FFA, where she helps with the mobile food pantry by loading boxes and delivering to cars. She also does landscaping work for businesses and homes around her community. Aubrey also helps at her church, where she serves meals around Thanksgiving, attends services, and helps with Wednesday windup. She is also a lifeguard and teaches both private and public swimming lessons. Aubrey shows her commitment to the agriculture industry through her FFA chapter, in which she has been a member for 4 years. She takes agriculture classes, participates in contests, and attends field trips so she can learn more about the industry. Aubrey loves being part of the ag industry, and it is a big part of her life. She recognizes that it is the reason behind several opportunities and that it has helped her grow to be the best version of herself. She looks forward to continuing to work within agriculture every day. Aubrey plans to attend Kirkwood Community College to study horticultural sciences and hopes to open her ow floral shop or greenhouse in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Evan Keppy was chosen as a Beck's Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the field and mat. In school, Evan plays football, wrestles, is Vice President of his FFA chapter, and is a member of the North Scott Singers program. He loves being part of activities that excel in their respective categories. Whether qualifying for state duals in wrestling or attending the MCDA convention with his choir program, he's excited to participate in these programs and continue to set a good example for younger classes. In his community, Evan is involved with 4-H and his church's youth group. In 4-H, they often do community service, such as picking up trash on local walkways or making flowerpots for a local retirement home. He also goes on a mission trip every summer with his youth group, and this past summer visited Denver, where they gave back to the community around them. Evan views agriculture as raising, growing, or providing something for people to consume or use, and as a constant service to others. Evan recognizes that agriculture requires sacrifice because he sees that farmers are giving their time, energy, and materials for the good of others without expecting anything in return. He appreciates little things, like getting new piglets in the barn or walking around a freshly sprouted field in the spring and waking up knowing that he's going to have a great day at work. Evan plans to attend Iowa State to major in agronomy. He wants to be in his hometown and either open his own agronomy services company or work for a local agronomist or seed dealer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leyton Berger has been named a Beck's Player with Heart due to his dedication to his school, community, and the agriculture industry. To Leyton, agriculture means family and is his foundation. As a seventh-generation farmer, he has learned a lot while being around his family and working with cattle, grain, or hay. Leyton currently plays football, participates in track and Stunt Squad, is a Tiger Ambassador, and is involved in FFA. He loves the lifelong bonds that he's made with players and coaches. Leyton enjoys motivating younger players through his actions both on and off the field. He wants to be remembered as someone who showed up every day, worked hard, and had fun. Leyton is involved in his church and 4-H, along with being a Livestock Ambassador. Leyton would like to attend Purdue University and pursue a degree in ag education to teach ag in his hometown.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ella Bouton was chosen as a Beck's Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court. In school, Ella participates in volleyball, basketball, and track, is part of the National Honor Society, student council, and FFA, and is a Knox County Career Center Student Ambassador. She loves being involved in different organizations and meeting new people to become a well-rounded person in the process. Ella is also involved in 4-H, where she raises and calves heifers for her projects. She also has the opportunity to raise hogs, and it is her ninth year farrowing hogs. She has been able to take her hogs and Holsteins to the county fair, and says she has learned a lot from every litter. Ella has also been able to show market goats through her Supervised Agricultural Experience in FFA. To Ella, agriculture is the basis of everyday life and will always hold a special place in her heart. It is a special way of life that few are able to experience. Ella plans to attend Michigan State University to run track and field and study animal sciences to pursue large animal veterinary medicine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Payton Prickette has been named a Beck's Player with Heart due to his dedication to his school, community, and the agriculture industry. To Payton, agriculture has always been fun and has shaped him into the person he is today. He says the agriculture community is nice and welcoming to everyone, no matter the amount of experience one has. Payton has made some of his nicest friends through his involvement with agriculture, which makes the industry even more fun. Payton plays baseball and basketball, participates in cross country and trap shooting, and is in FFA. He says he enjoys playing with his friends, and likes how competitive and fun it is. Payton has learned several life skills, such as how to be part of a team and how to be a team player. Payton participates in dairy judging and Dairy Bowl, showing dairy cattle at the county, state, and national levels. He is also involved with 4-H, in a bass fishing club, and shows/sells swine at the county fair. Payton wants to manage his own dairy cattle show farm or be a herd manager. He is very interested in the dairy cattle side of the agriculture industry and plans to be involved in agriculture in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Blaze White was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart for his dedication and commitment on and off the field and course. In school, Blaze is involved in football and golf, is president of his FFA chapter, is vice president of his class, and is part of the National Honor Society. Blaze says he loves becoming friends with people you don't know through these activities. There are many people he has become very good friends with that he has never known before, and says his football team is like a family to him. Blaze is involved in community events through his church, FFA, and the National Honor Society. His involvement has allowed him to give back to his community through several activities, such as roadway cleanups or raking leaves for others. Blaze has grown up in the agriculture industry and has been involved in it throughout his entire life. He plans on attending Southwest Technical College and continuing to be around agriculture in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a Beck's Player with Heart, Valeria Orozco shows her dedication and passion both on and off the court. Valeria currently plays tennis, participates in trap shooting, and competes in show skiing on a water ski team. She is also involved in FFA, Youth in Government, and the National Honor Society. Valeria's favorite part about high school sports and activities is the support she receives from teammates. She loves that hard work and improvement are recognized by others, and that they support each other while working towards similar goals and achievements. Valeria is very involved in community service through FFA and the National Honor Society. Within FFA, she has helped with trash cleanup, making tie blankets, making nursing home cards, and preparing an annual staff breakfast at her school. She has also set up meetings with representatives to advocate for agriculture education at FFA Day at the Capitol. Valeria has volunteered at the 2025 MN State Fair at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center, where she worked with animals. She also volunteers with Great River Greening to plant trees and native plants in her neighborhood. To Valeria, agriculture represents hard work and passion in providing for others. She has learned a lot through helping at her grandparents' Christmas tree farm and working at a local flower shop. Valeria also works at her school's floral business with her FFA advisor, where she has created arrangements for her community and learned about management. She has taken several agriculture courses, where she has learned and gained several life skills. Valeria plans to attend a four-year college to study agricultural or environmental engineering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristen Schmidt was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart for her dedication and commitment on and off the field and track. In school, Kristen plays soccer, participates in track and field, and is the boy's basketball manager. She is also part of the student council, Rotary Interact, and the Caledonia FFA. Kristen loves the teamwork and fun atmosphere while participating in these activities with her friends. She says she is lucky to have supportive coaches to push her to play her best and appreciates being part of a team that wants to accomplish the same goals. Kristen volunteers with the Caledonia Rockets 4-H club to help with roadside clean-up and flag retirement day. She also helps at the Houston County PDC beef showmanship clinic and with breakfast with Santa. To Kristen, agriculture means being part of feeding America by raising beef to send to the market, as it is where our food comes from. It's important to her to inform people about the beef industry and what it takes to raise an animal with respect. Kristen wants to continue being part of FFA and 4-H throughout high school. She also wants to attend college to get a physical therapy license while working on her family's beef farm to continue raising and building her herd.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker" -- so God made a Farmer.  --Paul HarveyLinks:https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/PDFFiles/Paul%20Harvey%20-%20God%20Made%20A%20Farmer.pdfhttps://www.collierswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013_02_Gazetteer.pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_HarveySupport the show

Send us a textA blue jacket can change a life. We sit down with Michigan FFA state officer and MSU agribusiness student William Rogers to trace how one classroom broiler project became a launchpad for leadership, real business skills, and a clear career path in modern agriculture and the poultry supply chain. From public speaking nerves to state office, William breaks down the steps that built his confidence—and why those same steps create standout talent for integrators, suppliers, and agtech teams.We unpack what FFA looks like now: an intracurricular program where Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) act as living resumes. William's diversified livestock and crop projects taught record keeping, marketing, and financials using AET, the kind of data literacy that translates directly to farm management software, compliance, and precision ag tools. He explains how sales is really about relationships, how meeting procedure shapes executive presence, and why learning technology works best with hands-on mentorship—whether that's drone mapping, equipment operation, or live budgeting.This conversation shines a light on inclusion and opportunity. You don't need a farm to find a home in FFA; photography, mechanics, research, logistics, and marketing all connect to agriculture's ecosystem. We explore leadership conferences, the power of community service, and the mindset employers prize most: a willingness to learn and a willingness to work. If you're a parent searching for a path for your student, a hiring manager looking for doers with initiative, or an alum ready to give back, you'll find practical ways to plug in—from local alumni groups to statewide events and national summits.If this story could help one student find direction, share it with them. And if you enjoyed the show, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it along to a friend who needs to hear what FFA can unlock.Hosted by Brandon Mulnix - Director of Commercial Accounts - Prism ControlsThe Poultry Leadership Podcast is only possible because of its sponsor, Prism ControlsFind out more about them at www.prismcontrols.com

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we speak with Kentucky FFA State Secretary Jacee McKeel and Lake Cumberland Region State Vice President Clinton Corner , both freshmen at Murray State University.Jacee and Clinton share their different FFA beginnings, key leadership qualities and their advice for members on engagement and connection.Links:Murray State UniversityPulaski County FFACalloway County FFAKentucky FFA State Officers

Future Farmer's Wife. Summer loving, working on the farm. Based on a post by Farmer jill. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. When I was a young girl, every summer was an adventure. The farms around Stearns County, where I lived; would need extra help to cut, bail; and store up the hay for the long snowy winter. Everyone did small square bales back then, and that meant manual labor. The thing was that although the job paid great, it was not a regular job. The hours were always subject to change, with the weather, break downs, or hay production. You had little notice when you were needed, and then it was only for a few days. Farm kids also had to work on our own family farms; so you had to work it around that. Yet since every farmer needed the extra help it was like all the kids were a labor pool to be exploited. I liked working the hay harvests, because it allowed me to have spending money. Sure I was "paid" working for my dad but farming is a long term paying type of job. I didn't get actually paid for my labor but in the winter I would get money to go to the movies and the like. It was the summer of 81. I just turned 18 and the hay season started. The first job I heard about was at the Wilson Dairy Farm. I had worked for the Wilson's before. I showed up at 7am, on the appointed day, and there were four other people. The Wilson's only really need four laborers but you never knew what kind of quality you would get so the first day most farmers would have extras. Then at lunch they would get rid of the lazy, slow or stupid. In addition to myself, there were the Hanson brothers, Bill and Ted. I had worked with them before. They worked hard and usually worked the conveyor. In case you don't know; the conveyor is what gets the bales from the wagon up into the hay loft. It was a tricky job. You couldn't overload it, because it would jam. You also couldn't go to fast because the people unloading would get overwhelmed. There was also a guy I didn't know. He must have been new in our area. I was pretty sure he wouldn't make the cut. His hands had no calluses on them, dead give away. The last person in the group was none other than Cooper Banks, my high school crush. We were both the youngest in our families, and the only kids still living at home. We were both in the high school FFA club, Future Farmers of America, But he quit the club when he became a starter on the wrestling team. He was a year older than me and had just graduated. I'm sure that he didn't even know I existed before today. He was pretty popular at school and never lacked for female attention. Cooper was born on a farm on a different bus route from me, so I never had a chance to be noticed by him. Yet here he was, in the flesh. The Hay Harvest Operation. The way haying worked most times is; you went out with a wagon and while the farmer drove, you loaded the wagon. One person on the wagon, and a couple passing bales up. Other times the bales were formed, tied, and delivered to the wagon and then you stacked them on the wagon. In this case it was both types. Mr. Wilson was baling onto one wagon while the new guy stacked. Meanwhile us four took turns driving and loading/stacking another wagon. Once we had some wagons loaded, people would then work on loading the hay into the barn, hayloft, through an upper door under the gable; while others collected more hay. The farmers kept big coolers of cold water on hand, to hydrate the workers, and we often poured water over our sweaty bodies, to get relief from the humid air. Halfway through the day, our clothes were soaked. At lunch time, as I suspected, the new guy was let go. Blisters developed on his hands, because he didn't bring work gloves; so he was done. This left Bill loading the conveyor, and Cooper and I stacking the hay now in the barn's upper loft. Ted continued stacking bales on the wagon that Mr. Wilson was towing behind his bailor. It's hard work, but you are so busy, that it goes fast. Soon enough, the day was over and Mr. Wilson paid us. Then he asked us to be back tomorrow. That's another good thing, cash at the end of the day. We all said we would be back tomorrow, and went to leave. I ended up walking beside Cooper, and I was desperate to think of something to say to him. He was wearing a Van Halen concert t-shirt, so I asked him about it, "Cooper, that's a nice shirt. Did you like the concert?" "Oh yeah, those guys were great, I'd go see them again. You have a pretty nice shirt on, too." Now I was wearing the usual kind of t-shirt for this work. Mine was Long sleeves to protect my arms and it was well-worn. It was sorta too small for me, because it was pretty tight across the chest. I was pretty proud of my boobs that had kept developing over the past year. My tits were high on my chest, and especially firm, and jiggled a lot. I'm sure Cooper liked what was inside my shirt.  Last winter, my past boyfriend said my tits were the perfect size, just more than a hand full. This is before the days of sports bras, so I had on a plain white cotton bra that I am sure was transparent at this point, from all the sweat. Did I mention that haying was hot sweaty work? It is. My shirt had a John Deere green tractor on it, and said, "Born to Farm." I usually have to wear a large, if I want room for my tits. But a medium was all I had, that morning when I went to work. Cooper would probably fit the shirt just fine. I'm not sure what made me do it, but I blurted out before thinking, "If you like it, Cooper; I would swap it for yours." Cooper looked at me to see if I was serious, "Sure, I will wash it and bring it for you tomorrow." The look on his face was priceless when I replied, "We can swap now." And with that, I pulled my shirt over my head. The look on Cooper's face was priceless. First there was shock, and then, as he took in my transparent wet cotton bra and prominent nipples, his looked turned to lust. Ted and Bill noticed as they were opening their F150 truck doors. Their tongues were hanging out of their open mouths. Not to be outdone, Cooper quickly peeled off his t-shirt. We were almost at his El Camino, and my bike at this point. As I put on his shirt, I could smell the distinct combination of Cooper, hay, and sweat. At this point Bill and Ted lost interest and had left. The manly smell of the shirt must have been really intoxicating, because it made me really bold, "Hey Cooper; maybe we could trade something else." He was holding my shirt in his hand, and his bare rippled chest was making it hard for me to breathe. "Sure Jill, what else did you have in mind?" "If you give me and my bike a lift home, we could trade washing one another's back, in the shower." Once again, the look on his face was priceless. It went from shock to desire. I noticed a bulge form in his pants. He noticed that I noticed. "Sure Jill, let's go." He put my bike in the back of the stylish truck. It was only 2 miles on the county road, to my parents' farm, and his stereo was instantly playing the latest Van Halen album, so we didn't talk, besides me giving him directions. I was really nervous, because I had never done anything like this before. I knew my mom was in town at her part-time job. My dad was setting fence posts til sundown on the back end of the farm. Now this is not to say I was an innocent virgin. I had found my three older brother's stash of porn magazines when I was fourteen. I had also heard and seen them in action, when they thought they were alone with girls. By 18, I figured I had a pretty good working knowledge of the 'birds and the bees.' My mom also knew what was going to happen as I matured, so I was on the pill. Since my hips and tits had filled out, I'd had a few boyfriends. And yes; I fucked two of them. I'm sure Cooper was more experienced, but let's just say, I knew what I was getting into. When we arrived, I led him into our split-level new house, and up to my bathroom. I was so nervous at this point, I didn't know what to do next. Cooper took over, he knew what to do. He kissed me. He was a good kisser and soon we were tongue-wrestling, while Cooper started to feel my tits. His lips felt great and his hands on my tits even better. I helped him get my clothes off and he undid my bra. Then he said something that made my pussy drool.     "Jill Johnson, I'm going to lick the sweat off your luscious tits." He picked me up and sat me on the counter, and went to licking. I leaned back into the big mirror and ran my fingers through his wavy golden hair. I'm not sure why I liked that so much, but I did. He began to kiss and lick my tits. Cooper was very systematic, and I'm sure he got every drop of sweat! He also had me really worked up. I didn't know if I could orgasm from someone just playing with my tits, but I seemed close. When he nipped one of my nipples with his teeth, I moaned loudly. He continued to pleasure my tits with his mouth while his hands worked on opening my pants. He pulled me down from the counter and slipped my sweaty jeans down. My panties went with them and his fingers found my soaking wet center. It felt so good, and I was so caught up in the moment. I didn't realize I was naked and he was still dressed. I had to get to his cock! As he worked his magic fingers in my vagina, and on my clit; I got his shirt off. He was circling my engorged clit as I got his pants off. My hand reached into his sweaty underwear and felt his cock. As I started to stroke it, I noticed it wasn't very big. I didn't have that much experience, but when I pulled it out of his underwear I noticed it was the smallest boner I had ever seen. It wasn't tiny or anything like that. but the other two cocks that fucked me, were bigger. It didn't take me very long, stroking it, maybe a minute; before he was shooting cum all over my leg. It didn't surprise me, that he had a hair trigger, so did the other guys I had been with. I think it's a young man's issue to become aware of, and make adjustments for. I didn't have much time to dwell on it, however; as he turned me facing the other way, and wrapped both his arms around me. We stood before the big mirror, one of his hands was on my cunt, and the other on my nipples, while he kissed my neck and let his semi flaccid cock dangle between my asscheeks. With my horny body wrapped in his arms from behind we watched ourselves while we felt each other. It was so erotic! He redoubled his efforts on my clit and I climaxed on his hand. I gushed a bit, and it ran down my naked legs. I turned on the shower as we took off our socks, and got in the big shower. Cooper answered the question in my head about his recovery time, before I could even reach the soap. His cock was hard again, pressing against me. I turned to observe his slender phallus with excitement. My next question was about how long he would last this time, and boy did he have the right answer! Cooper reached both his hands around my ass cheeks and picked me up My legs naturally came up and locked behind him as his upward-pointing cock smoothly entered my hot hungry cunt. He might not have been that big, but he knew all the right angles, as he plowed me against the wall. It seemed to go on gloriously, forever; until my eyes rolled back in my head and my pussy exploded. Cooper followed me soon; going over the top and blasted three shots of cum, high up in my hungry cunt. My arms were tightly wrapped around his neck and shoulders. Both of us breathing heavy, for a while. Then he slowly released and lowered me. We kissed with intense passion and aggressive tongues. Then we stared into each other's eyes. Then we giggled and he asked, "Are we supposed to be working out a trade?" "Oh, that!" I said, and I grabbed a big sponge and soaped it up. We then actually began to wash one another. This led to more stroking, rubbing, fondling, kissing, sucking and yup; we ran out of hot water. We started laughing at the situation as we got out and dried off. I lent Cooper a clean shirt and basketball shorts from my older brother's closet; so he didn't have to put his sweaty work clothes back on. He would bring them back tomorrow, when he picked me up to go back to Wilson's Dairy. The next morning I was ready at 6:45, and jumped in Cooper's truck as soon as he stopped in our driveway. We each leaned over and kissed, like we had done this a thousand times. Soon enough we were back at the hay harvest, and the day evaporated. My mom was going to be home so after work I had Cooper drive me  down a township road, to a spot nearby, that I knew would afford us some privacy. When we were secluded in the treeline, I told him to stop and he grinned. Soon we were making out. Cooper came around to my door and opened it. Then he slid my legs out the door and slipped off my sweaty jeans and panties. We didn't have much time, so he raised my naked legs over his shoulders and dropped his pants and briefs. Then he leaned over my submissive body and began pumping me faster than a ackrabbit. It felt so good going in, but in only a minute or two, I felt him ejaculate. I was disappointed but only for a few seconds. Cooper never pulled out. He just took a few breaths and kept going. His cock stayed hard! Once again, he worked my pussy with his cock, making sure I came before he did. His hands went up my shirt and he began pinching both nipples. That got me off very effectively. We put our pants back on and left. Cooper then dropped me off with a promise to see me tomorrow. It would be our last day at Wilson's Dairy, and I didn't want to even think about what would happen after that. I was hoping for a lot of things, but I didn't want to screw it up; so I said nothing. The next day, Cooper picked me up and gave me a kiss. It was particularly hot that late June day, and we were a really hot sweaty mess by lunch. After lunch Mr. Wilson told us that once he dropped off the last wagon, he had to go; but his wife would pay us once we finished putting the hay away. The day ended with Bill and Ted working the conveyor and Cooper and I stacking the hay in the loft. When the last bale came off the conveyor they turned off the motor and called out they were heading out. We heard Mrs. Wilson tanking them, then their loud pickup rumbled out to the county road. There was sweat pouring off of us, and we were covered in dust and hay bits. We stacked the last bales, and then I looked at Cooper, "I must be quite a sight, today." "You look great to me!" Then he added with a grin; "Ever fucked in the loft?" I remembered my voyeur delights, watching my brothers fuck the Carlson sisters, in our own hayloft, a couple summers ago. It brought a big grin to my face. I didn't even get to answer before his lips met mine. It was a gross flavor of dust and hay, so we took a drink before resuming making out. Now Cooper had a big water jug that he would fill about 1/3 and then put in the freezer overnight. It would keep his water nice a cool all day and he could even refill it at lunch with ice left. After we drank, Cooper tore my clothes off and then grabbed what was left of the ice from his jug. It was a piece about the size of a small fist. As he kissed me he began circling my nipples with it. It was deliciously exciting as the cold sent two kinds of shivers through me body. One shiver was due to temperature and the other due to the sexual stimulation. Just when I thought I couldn't take any more, he slipped it down my stomach, slowly over my clit and into my pussy. I lost my mind! His mouth engulfed my left tit and his left hand caressed my right tit. I came! Damn that Cooper has a way of arousing my horny tits! He then dropped his pants and underwear, bent me over an alfalfa bail, and slammed into me. My mind was in overload, I didn't think I could handle any more stimulation, but Cooper had other ideas. He slipped the last bit of ice into my ass! He told me later I squealed a moan. I didn't know because I was overcome with the most intense orgasm of my young life. Cooper didn't last much longer on the first one, like usual; but I didn't care because when he came, I did again! I put my clothes back on and Cooper pulled up his pants. We then climbed down the ladder, to the lower barn. We exited the barn and went to go see Mrs. Wilson about our pay. She had a smirk on her face when she greeted us at the kitchen door, "I thought you forgot about pay, and left." Cooper did some quick thinking, "A stack was leaning and we restacked it more securely. We just were making sure everything was good before we left. We ah... didn't want to leave a mess and leave a bad impression."     Mrs. Wilson was clearly not buying what Cooper was selling. That's when I noticed that my bra was missing, and my nipples were hard. There was laughter in her eyes as she gave us our pay. Fortunately, we'd left the cooler in the loft, so I ran to get it, and find my wayward bra. We climbed into Cooper's truck for the short ride to my house, and I thought I better say something. I tried not to sound needy, desperate or unsophisticated, "Ah Cooper I was wondering about the rest of the summer?" Cooper gave me a wide grin, "Look, Jill; you and I can have a great summer of fun together if that's what you're asking." "That would be great, Cooper." "But, let's face the facts. You are going to stick around here and be a farmer. Me, I'm going to college in the fall, and I'm not coming back to farm. Farming is nice but I want something different. But, like I said; if you want a summer of fun together with me, then how about you and I go on a date, this coming Friday?" My crush was offering me the summer. Even though he made it very clear to me what kind of relationship he wanted.  I knew I could get him to love me by the end of August. Regardless, I was so happy he wanted to take me on a date, and not just fuck me, "That would be great, Cooper! A summer of fun, or is it going to be a summer of loving?" "Either way, it's going to be great, Jill. There's a big festival in Cold Spring. I told him to stop on the side of the road. I slid over the bench seat at this point, and gave him a kiss. Then I fished his cock out of his pants. Yes, it was covered in sweat, hay and me! But, I didn't care. I slowly took all of it in my mouth. It didn't even reach my throat, at first. no complaints from me. I continued to lick and suck his cock, as it expanded inward. Pressing the back of my throat. I tilted my head and let his extra expansion slide a bit further, til my nose was pressed against his furry pelvis. My only other attempt at blowing a guy, was a complete failure. "Oh, Gawd!" He screamed. "Yes, baby!"  My tongue stroked his cock as though I was trying to swallow him whole. Then he shot his blast deep into my throat. I pulled back just in time to get a second blast in my mouth, followed by a third small pulse. My lips firmly gripped his shaft as my mouth pulled at his cock, stretching it away from his hairy mound. My tongue rubbed his tip, and he screamed; "Too much! Too sensitive!" I released his crown and smiled as I looked up into his happy eyes. As I rose up, my open smile allowed his cum to start drooling out the side of my mouth. I swallowed dramatically, then wiped the drool with my long extended tongue, and swallowed again. Cooper's cock was perfect for learning to deepthroat, and I loved being able to do that successfully, for the first time. I felt powerful and seductive. I knew I could make this man very, very happy.  He had a huge smile on his face as dropped me off. Mom was home, so no inviting him in, but I would see him in 2 days. We had a great summer of fun and loving. We had sex everywhere; his house, my house, his truck, in the pond, in the meadow, you get the idea. We even had sex on the job, in two more haylofts! It was two horny teenagers doing what horny teenagers do best. At the end of the summer, I believed I loved Cooper and he loved me. Cooper very gently reminded me of what it really was. Lust. On what was to be our last date ever Cooper gave me a gift. "Jill, this was an amazing summer I will never forget. I got you this little gift to remind you of our summer of fun." I unwrapped it and it was a framed photograph of Cooper, somehow wearing my John Deere "Born to Farm" t-shirt. It was too tight on his bulging shoulders and his long arms. it looked kind of goofy. It was like a poor imitation of the incredible Hulk. Yet he looked great to me. It seemed like he was looking right into my soul. It made me cry. "Come on, Jill! Lighten up, it's just a picture, I have a better one of you, in my Van Halen t-shirt with no bra, that I'm taking to school." That just made me cry more. Sue me. I was 18; and he was my first crush and my first love, after all. I recall, during my 2nd week of senior year, walking behind a couple junior girls, walking out the school doors, to get on the bus. They were whispering gossip about some guy's small dick. I interjected; "Listen, you two floozies; instead of ridiculing Bobby's hardware, make the most of it. You don't want to learn deepthroating on a fat cock, do you? Bobby may not be everything you need, But he can help you be better able to satisfy the man of your dreams, when he finally arrives." I continued; "Karen, do you want the boys talking about how you stuff your bra? And Cindy, do you want boys talking about how you prefer taking it in the ass?" "You wouldn't dare!" Karen snapped at me. "Hell no!" I retorted. "But Karma will bite you; and it will be unmerciful. So you'd better treat everyone with the respect you want shown to you." The girls stopped and stared at me.  I just walked past them and said; "Hey Bobby!" Bobby was just about to get in the bus. "Save me a seat, will you?" I said so everyone could hear. Rumors are a fact of life, and I did get a reputation for giving the best blow jobs. What the guys didn't admit to, was that only the guys with slender and moderate-size cocks, got my best performances. I wasn't falling for every guy who showed interest in me, but I still made sure we both got something out of the arrangement. I taught guys how to treat a girl right. And I made sure they were rewarded for their attentiveness. I didn't fuck guys a whole lot during my senior year. But I became very, very skilled at deepthroating. My tits and cunt did get a lot of devotion from guys. But I made sure not to lead the guys on. Eventually, girls came to me for advice. They wanted to know if so-and-so was a good date. I tried to be generally positive, yet help girls deal with things I was concerned about, regarding a particular guy I'd known. My philosophy was simple. 'Every cock has value. Some cocks can ream you out, and other cocks can slide in and out with ease. What matters is the guy's attentiveness to you.' Any healthy guy can be satisfying, but you have to be patient and keep improving. Easter came, and I had 14 guys offer to take me to prom. But I decided to invite Ken, my brother's friend. He was a senior in college, majoring in Ag sciences. We got acquainted during Christmas break. I was shocked when they announced the finalists for prom queen. I was speechless when I was declared Prom Queen.  At graduation, after all the diplomas were given out, and the ceremony dismissed, Ken came up the middle aisle where Betty had me distracted. She told me to step out to where Ken was. That's when I noticed all my classmates were watching me. I stepped out and Ken went down to one knee; while the entire gymnasium dropped to a hush. When I noticed my parents and Ken's parents were standing behind Ken. Everything had already been coordinated, and all that was left, was to get my approval. That summer, Ken and I gutted and remodeled the old farm house, next to the new split-level where my folks lived. We had a November wedding and Ken and I became partners with my folks. We also share-cropped, with his folk's land. That spring, I became foreman of the hay harvesting operation.  I went to work training FFA girls on tractors and implement. We had no problem getting harvesting help. A tractor driven by a sexy farm girl, wearing a halter top and denim shorts, will draw a willing workforce. Good bye Cooper. Cooper and I didn't see one another again until after Cooper graduated college. I was married, newly pregnant, and living on our farm with my husband, Ken.  When Cooper was home to say goodbye to his parents, before he went off to Miami, to his new industrial engineering job. When I saw him for just a second; time stood still and my body wanted to drag him off to a hay loft. The second passed and I knew that I loved my husband and would never cheat on him. Cooper and I spoke briefly, because we both were in a hurry to be somewhere else. Then he was gone, and I haven't seen him since. But I'll always fondly remember our summer of loving; and the guy who allowed me to become so skilled at deepthroating. It's a skill that keeps my man happier than you can imagine. Ken is bigger and thicker that Cooper. If I hadn't learned advanced fellatio on Cooper, Ken's life would be less content, and I'd be more worried about hussies seducing him behind my back. Based on a post by Farmer jill, for Literotica.

Well today we welcome me again, this time to look back over the last two years and what they've really been like

Ep 237 | This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara serve up a lighthearted holiday episode packed with farm-to-table realities, football meets farming, Western fashion collabs, and viral hippo content. Celebrity chef Tim Love explains why true farm-to-table dining is almost impossible — from inconsistent supply to the direct-to-consumer "ribeye problem." The hosts break down why local sourcing is so complex and why prices would have to rise by about 30% to make it viable. The Buffalo Bills celebrate National Farmer's Day by partnering with local dairy farmer "Farmer Shin," spotlighting New York's dairy industry. The segment also touches on quarterback Josh Allen's agricultural background, from FFA to his family's cotton and pistachio farms. Abercrombie & Fitch teams up with Kemo Sabe for a Western-inspired line. The hosts discuss whether blending mass-market and luxury works — and how the Yellowstone Effect continues to shape Western culture. A viral clip of a hippo eating a pumpkin during Denmark's Harvest Holiday leads to a conversation on seasonal feeding and closed-loop farming. The show ends with a story of a dairy farmer using colostrum to save a baby giraffe. BUT WAIT — there's more! The Disco Taste Test features a salted maple Dr. Pepper float perfect for Thanksgiving. Natalie spills hers, Tara swaps in Diet Coke, and both agree it's dangerously delicious. What We Discovered This Week

Connie Johnson joined Wake Up Tri-Counties for the monthly edition of "Cambridge Happening" to talk about the Minds 5K, the closure of the Village Office for Thanksgiving, and Christmas on the Square. Cambridge is gearing up for a season full of community celebrations. On November 22nd, residents are invited to participate in the Miles for Minds 5K run/walk at College Square Park, benefiting Gray Matters and the FFA. As Thanksgiving nears, keep in mind the Village Office will be closed November 27th and 28th. Christmas on the Square returns December 6th, kicking off with a spaghetti dinner at the United Methodist Church, followed by a lighted parade, horse-drawn carriage rides, face painting, and visits with Santa. All activities are free, with proceeds supporting local causes. Light Up Cambridge and other holiday contests add to the festivities.

This episode of the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast features Dr. Beatrix Haggard, an associate professor in Oklahoma State University's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, whose teaching mission is to make sure students know what plant they're looking at—and how it works. Dr. Haggard walks us through her journey from FFA land judging in Texas to soil science at Tarleton State and LSU, to a regional soil fertility role in the Louisiana Delta, and finally to a teaching-heavy, tenure-track position at OSU. Along the way, she explains how those experiences shape how she teaches, from intro plant science to senior seminar, crop judging, and soil morphology.The crew also explores major shifts in today's student body and how they change the way agronomy is taught. They discuss students working full-time jobs while in school, the rise of pre-vet and ag business majors, the growing number of non-traditional and out-of-state students (from California to New York and Indiana), and why judging teams and hands-on greenhouse work are powerful ways to build confidence and real-world skills. If you care about who will be scouting your fields, writing your recs, and leading your ag businesses in 10–20 years, this episode is a great look at how OSU is training that next generation.Top 10 takeawaysTeaching-focused, tenure-track agronomy roles are rare—and powerful.Dr. Haggard holds an 85% teaching appointment at a land-grant university, which she describes as a “unicorn” compared to more common research-heavy roles. That lets her invest deeply in core plant and soil courses that hundreds of students pass through every year.Intro plant science at OSU is huge and foundational.Plant 1213 serves ~600 students a year, mostly freshmen, and often becomes their first exposure to plant science, agronomy and OSU's ag culture. What happens in that class heavily influences which majors students choose—and whether they ever consider crops or soils.College is about “learning how to learn,” not just memorizing content.Dr. Haggard uses her own career—soil scientist turned crop teacher—to show students that the real value of college is learning how to tackle new subjects and roles. If she can go from soil formation to crop growth stages on the job, they can pivot in their careers too.Judging teams teach life skills: travel, teamwork and resilience.Beyond plant and seed ID, crops and soils judging expose students to long trips, new regions and tight-quarters team dynamics. For some, it's their first time crossing the Mississippi River or even flying. Dr. Haggard jokes it's a successful trip if everyone is still talking on the way home.Today's students juggle far more than class.Many students work full time, commute home on weekends and carry heavy concurrent credit loads from high school. That changes how instructors design assignments and study expectations—“go to the library all weekend” doesn't match many students' realities anymore.OSU agronomy is no longer just rural Oklahoma farm kids.The department now attracts students from California, Oregon, Washington, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, New York and beyond, plus metro and suburban areas like Edmond and Oklahoma City. Many arrive with little or no farm background, which reshapes how faculty introduce basic equipment and practices.Ag majors are fluid—pre-vet and ag business are big destinations.Dr. Haggard sees many students start in animal science or pre-vet and then migrate to ag business, economics or plant/soil majors once they experience different classes and discover where their interests really lie. Flexibility in degree paths is key.Plain language and memory tricks matter in technical fields.Rather than keeping content “unattainable,” Dr. Haggard leans on layman's terms and memorable phrases like “all cats manage kittens ammonium naturally” to help students retain complex ideas such as the lyotropic series in soil chemistry. Those small tools make a big difference for freshmen.Extension and classroom teaching are two sides of the same coin.Josh points out that he loves teaching the same agronomic concepts to two very different audiences: landowners and consultants on the extension side, and students in the classroom. The goals and depth differ, but both are about helping people apply agronomy in real life.Stable, passionate teachers anchor a department.Brian notes how important it is for a department to have long-term, high-quality teachers in core classes. With Dr. Haggard and Dr. Abbott, OSU Plant and Soil Sciences has a consistent foundation for teaching the “fundamentals” to every student who comes through the program. Segment Timestamps00:00–02:00 – Opening & introductions02:00–06:30 – What Dr. Haggard teaches at OSU06:30–11:30 – Her path into soils and agronomy11:30–15:30 – First “real” job & learning crops on the fly15:30–19:30 – Why she loves teaching19:30–24:30 – Building a teaching-heavy career at a land-grant24:30–29:30 – How Josh and Beatrix coordinate teaching29:30–26:00 – Judging teams and what students gain26:00–33:30 – How students and learning have changed33:30–36:35 – Who OSU agronomy students are now & close RedDirtAgronomy.com

In the fourth installment of the "Becoming the Protégé" series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers welcomes contestant Brian Shaw, the Principal at Alamo Insurance Professionals. Brian, a veteran of the US Army, law enforcement, and the financial services world, shares his powerful "why" for joining the competition. He discusses his unique challenge of feeling like he's "running in quicksand" while trying to grow his two-year-old agency and simultaneously train his son, who has Asperger's and type 1 diabetes. The conversation is a candid look at the father-son dynamic, the need for proven systems, and finding the discipline to succeed. Key Highlights: A Veteran's "Why": Building a Legacy Brian Shaw explains that after 20 years in the industry and a near-fatal battle with COVID that cost him his medical device business, he returned to commercial insurance. He joined The Protégé to find the systems and discipline he needs to train his son effectively, break his own "bad habits," and build a lasting legacy for his family. The Father-Son Dynamic & Overcoming Challenges Brian opens up about the unique joys and frustrations of working with his 31-year-old son, who is on the autism spectrum. He shares his personal struggles as a father and trainer, noting that his son is a "sponge" for information but struggles with focus and the father-son dynamic. Brian's goal is to use The Protégé's framework to become a better teacher and provide a clear path for his son to follow. Niche Focus: Construction and Agriculture With a deep personal background in agriculture (growing up on a farm in Indiana, 4-H, and FFA) and a strategic focus on construction (HVAC, electrical, and plumbing), Brian is working to establish his agency as a true risk management partner, not just a "policy peddler," in these specific niches. Fear of Failure: "I'm Most Concerned About Myself" When asked who he's most worried about in the competition, Brian gives the honest answer: himself. He shares his fear of letting his family and son down and his self-identified shortcoming of "tweaking" systems that are working instead of just executing. David's tip is to focus on the process—which is the real victory—rather than the competition. Connect with: David Carothers LinkedIn Brian Shaw LinkedIn Kyle Houck LinkedIn Visit Websites: Power Producer Base Camp Alamo Insurance Professionals Killing Commercial Crushing Content Power Producers Podcast Policytee The Dirty 130 The Extra 2 Minutes

In this episode, the Farm4Profit Podcast dives into how the Peterson Farm Bros went from small-town Kansas to global agricultural ambassadors — one parody video at a time.Greg shares the story behind launching their first viral video in 2012, the family's passion for using humor and music to educate the public, and how they balance content creation with the demands of a 1,000-head cattle operation and 2,500 acres of crops. The brothers open up about their family's multi-generational legacy, their faith, and how opening their farm to the public has built a bridge between rural life and urban audiences.Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process, their latest projects like subsurface drip irrigation, and how they keep their message authentic while touring the country speaking at major ag events like Ag PhD Field Day, Farm Technology Days, and FFA conventions.This conversation is a mix of inspiration, laughter, and lessons on using creativity to advocate for agriculture — while still making it home in time for chores. 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.

 “Have you ever wondered which cartoon character you secretly had a crush on as a kid—and what that says about you today?