On today's farm update I'll be talking about how I think I am overstocked on the farm, and the recycled and new methods I am using to try and take advantage of all the forage on the whole property.  Plus more....

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Brook Cutchin is the secretary of the Deane Bozeman FFA Chapter in Southport, Florida.  She is also just 16 years of age and slated to graduate high school one year early later this month.  She is heading to college next fall and has been accepted to a programed called "3 & 3", which means in her fourth year of her bachelor's degree she simultaneously begins graduate school, which for her will be studying the law to become an attorney and advocate for agriculture.

Brook first got introduced to the FFA her 9th grade year of high school when she took a required, introduction to agriculture class.  At that point she realized that she wanted to raise livestock, and she has been engaged in the FFA ever since.  She even raised and showed her own pig, showing and selling it at the Florida State Fair this past February.

The FFA has exposed Brook to many experiences that she never expected, and it played a major role in accelerating her time high school and graduating early.  One of the experiences that Brook had through the FFA, that drew my attention to her chapter, was facilitating a goat yoga class for people in her community.  She, along with other chapter members and supporters of her FFA chapter, put on a goat yoga class, for free.  Donations to help the chapter build a livestock barn were accepted, but there was no charge to attend.

I've always wondered what the appeal of goat yoga is.  Brook informed me that the point is to help people with anxiety about doing yoga in front of others, to let that go because everyone is watching the goats and not each other.  I certainly believe that is what happens.

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Utah State University has as many options for agricultural study as I have come across in doing these interviews.  On today's episode I speak with Makenna Osborne, a graduate of Utah State's College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, and now a Recruitment Specialist for "CAAS".  Makenna lists the many opportunities through the Utah State University including becoming a pilot and even making chocolate!

Here is the link for the aviation program fees at Utah State University: https://caas.usu.edu/avte/course-fees

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Tip Of The Week

Keep an eye on your decorative horses.

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wkyt.com/2023/05/03/police-investigating-multiple-thefts-decorative-horses-ky-town/

https://www.agdaily.com/crops/16k-chemical-theft-might-not-pay-but-reporting-the-thieves-will/

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/tractor-stolen-off-of-jobsite-in-calumet-county-sheriffs-office-asks-residents-to-keep-an-eye-out/

https://www.katc.com/news/st-landry-parish/st-landry-crime-stoppers-help-needed-solving-theft-of-farm-equipment

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farminguk.com/news/police-charge-six-men-after-suspected-agri-thefts-worth-nearly-1m_62545.html

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/23499717.man-arrested-police-rural-burglary-near-faringdon/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTY2NjE3NjQyNTM1NzIxNTAzNDgyGmVhNjgzN2MxNmMwNjhjOGQ6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AOvVaw16CnIzFWoQm_Nz35Q-mMjr&source=gmail&ust=1683389109703000&usg=AOvVaw3o0ctoER2dOV3zX9pvv2uG

Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/four-alleged-robbers-arrested-for-terrorising-farming-community-in-limpopo-found-with-stolen-goods-9ad0fd00-aa41-461b-84ad-f69f65a7ee57

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/angry-mob-burns-truck-lynch-two-suspected-cattle-thieves-4222842

https://newsroom.gy/2023/05/04/life-imprisonment-for-cattle-farmer-who-killed-burnt-workers-body-over-stolen-goat/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wkow.com/news/deputy-chases-car-into-farm-fields-near-poynette/article_ef8eb950-eaf7-11ed-92fa-cfca46c2d15d.html

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Caleb Branson and Shelby Redcorn are the owners of a business that is essential to keep production agriculture going in the U.S. and to keep their small community functioning in the Panhandle of Oklahoma where they live.  Caleb has been operating cranes since he was a child, and both he and Shelby have been self-employed for their entire lives.  Neither of them know anything different than getting paid when there is work and tightening the belts when there is not.

In 2017 they started C&S Crane And Steel, offering a myriad of services to farmers and other industries.  From building grain storage facilities to replacing augers on bins, it is this, behind the scenes business, that is there to keep farmers going.  During the interview I asked what motivates a farmer to build their own grain storage facility, and, as you would expect, it was all about giving the farmer the best chance of creating a sustainable business.  But those facilities and other pieces of equipment like them could not be built if it weren't for entrepreneurs like Shelby and Caleb who have the expertise and took the risk to purchase the equipment that provides their community the ability to continually improve their operations.

There is folklore surrounding the American Farmer that brings with it a certain prestige, and deservedly so.  We are all standing on someone's shoulders, and without folks like Shelby and Caleb, American Agriculture just couldn't operate and feed the world the way that it does.

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode I am profiling a husband/wife team that has a unique and fascinating business serving farmers in the panhandle of Oklahoma.  That gave me the thought of replaying Jonathan Demcack's interview from 2015 again for you.  He started a business called "Droplet Irrigation" here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, providing service to farmers, and I thought it was a great tie in with tomorrow's show.

Brycen Cole is in the 8th Grade and is a Junior FFA Member at Roby High School in Roby, Texas.  Ever since he discovered podcasts, he has wanted to be a guest on one.  So, when he heard that I was going to be interviewing one of the high school FFA members at Roby, he proactively asked his advisor to ask me if he could come on the show. I like proactivity.  I obliged.  

Brycen shows steers, plays three sports and is excited for the future.  He told me that he is not sure what he will do, but he is certain that he will either be a basketball coach or an FFA advisor in the future.  For now, he has his sights set on becoming an official FFA member next year and getting busy with everything that the FFA has to offer.  

I have an exciting announcement in today's farm update.  Hattie has been selected as her FFA Chapter's President.  This comes on the heels of her being selected as her FFA District's President.  So much of what she is accomplishing now has roots in the audience of this show supporting us and helping us grow, and we wanted to say thank you!

And, for students that are considering becoming a technician for a tractor manufacturer I have a story to share with you today.  Depending on why you have chosen this path, this announcement may make a difference as to whether or not you continue to pursue this.

Here is the link to the article: https://coloradosun.com/2023/04/25/right-to-repair-farm-equiptment-colorado/

Matthew Ruff is a farmer from Ohio, a first year student at The Ohio State University and part of a family of agriculturists and innovators.  Matthew's parents both grew up on farms and decided that they wanted to farm as well.  So, after their marriage in 1997, they started pursuing enterprises that could lead to having their own farm.  Ultimately, they purchased their own property and kept building it up.  Today, Matt farms over 4,000 acres along side his parents, brother and sister. 

What initially drew my attention to Matt was an article I read indicating that he had an "ear corn" enterprise.  However, the article did not describe the specifics of the operation.  During the interview I found out that he has taken over responsibility for growing 25-40 acres of ear corn with the intention of picking it, shucking it, bagging it and selling it on Amazon!  

During the interview Matthew explains that there is strong demand for ear corn, still on the husk, by people who want to feed it to wildlife like squirrels and deer.  He said that they have shipped bags of corn grown on their farm to every state in the lower 48!  What an amazing niche....

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Wilmington College is a private university located in the heart of Ohio Horse Country.  It boats a significant agricultural program and two separate university farms, one devoted just to horses.  On today's episode Professor Daren Wright, the Director of the Equine Program, joins me to talk all about the college as well as the equine program specifically.  We will also discuss the way that the scholarships at Wilmington work, and how this private institution stays competitive with public universities on cost.  

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