Beyond the Jacket

From the show ring to production agriculture, Jackson Ritter of Mt. Vernon FFA shares how his SAE has shaped his perspective on the pork industry. While showing hogs sparked his passion, working with production animals has given him a deeper appreciation for raising livestock that help feed a growing population. Tune in as Jackson discusses balancing both sides of the industry, the lessons he's le...

What happens when you step outside your comfort zone? For Blake, it led to lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, and even a state championship. In this episode of Beyond the Jacket, Blake shares how competition helped him discover where he belonged in FFA, why the organization feels like one big family, and the lessons he learned along the way. Whether you're just starting your FFA journ...

From state officer to national stage, Josie Kelly’s FFA journey is built on leadership, growth, and a deep commitment to agriculture advocacy. 🌾🇺🇸 In this episode, she shares how FFA shaped her voice, her purpose, and her passion for serving the agriculture industry; from competition floors to real-world impact. 🎙️ New episode of Beyond the Jacket is live now featuring Josie Kelly. #BeyondTheJack...

This week on Beyond the Jacket, we're joined by Saydee Longhurst! From launching her own hay business as an SAE project to serving as Idaho State FFA President and becoming a leading voice for agriculture online, Saydee's journey showcases the power of leadership, entrepreneurship, and agricultural advocacy. Hear how FFA helped shape her path, the lessons she learned along the way, and why sharing...

One year ago, we hit record on an idea. Today, Beyond the Jacket is celebrating ONE YEAR of sharing stories, highlighting FFA members from across the country, and showcasing the people who make this organization so special. In the past year, we've: ⭐ Attended Commodity Classic ⭐ Interviewed National and State FFA Officers ⭐ Shared countless SAE and leadership stories ⭐ Reached over 1,000 follo...

From serving as Georgia FFA's North Region Vice President to advocating for agriculture in Washington, D.C., Sadie Knight has built a career around making sure farmers' voices are heard. 🌽🇺🇸 In this episode of Beyond the Jacket, Sadie shares her journey through FFA, agricultural advocacy, leadership, and the opportunities that come from stepping up to serve. You won't want to miss this conversati...

This week on Beyond the Jacket, we sat down with Lexi & Savanah from the Olney FFA Chapter to talk about leadership, personal growth, and the impact FFA has had on their lives. 💙🌾 From serving their chapter to stepping outside their comfort zones, these young leaders share what it means to represent agriculture, build confidence, and inspire others along the way. This conversation is full of ins...

From National FFA Officer to a voice shaping the future of agriculture, T. Wayne Williams brings the energy, leadership, and perspective you do NOT want to miss 👏🔥 We talked about service, growth, saying yes to opportunities, and what it really means to lead beyond the blue jacket. This episode is packed with motivation, leadership lessons, and real conversations about impacting the next generat...

From FFA member to industry leader 🌽✨ Ellen Zimmerman has turned her passion for agriculture into a career that creates real impact. Now serving as Director of Industry Relations for the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, she’s helping connect the future of ag with the people who make it happen. This episode is all about leadership, relationships, and the opportunities agriculture can create. Yo...

From chasing a dream to creating a thriving cattle operation, their story is proof that passion, grit, and faith can build something bigger than you ever imagined. They’ve turned hard work into a legacy and are showing the next generation that agriculture still has room for dreamers willing to do the work. This episode is real, inspiring, and full of the kind of conversation that reminds you why a...

Rooted in generations of agriculture but bringing her own voice to the table, Zoe is proof that you can honor tradition and shake things up at the same time. From life on the farm to showing up online and telling ag’s story in a real, relatable way, she’s doing it all, and doing it well. This episode is fun, it’s honest, and it’ll leave you fired up about where agriculture is headed. 🌱 #FFA #Wome...

"FFA became my outlet in high school, a place where I could truly be myself.” Addisyn Schiller’s story is one of resilience, growth, and purpose. Her journey is a reminder that sometimes the hardest seasons shape us into who we’re meant to become. 🎧 Tune in to hear her story. #FFA #FFALife #FFAStories #YouthInAg #Farm4Profit #AgPodcast #BeyondTheJacket #AgLeadership #FutureOfAg #AgCareers #Resili...

What happens when passion meets purpose? You get Sophia Young. 💫 A former Florida FFA member turned collegiate standout at Montana State University, Sophia is proving that the journey doesn’t stop when you hang up your blue jacket—it only gets bigger. From her roots in veterinary science to her dedication to agricultural education, she’s making an impact in and out of the classroom. Oh… and did w...

New episode out now 🦆 Joining us is Liam Peters, an FFA member from the Fountain Lake FFA Chapter who is dedicated to service and all things ducks. With his unique SAE alongside Ducks Unlimited, you won’t want to miss this; there’s a lot to quack about in this conversation. #NewEpisode #FFA #FountainLakeFFA #Agriculture #YouthInAg #DucksUnlimited #SAE #Leadership #Service #AgPodcast #QuackTalk #W...

Filmed live at Commodity Classic at the AgXplore booth, this Beyond the Jacket episode highlights Rossville FFA members stepping outside the classroom and into the industry. Hear how their experiences in FFA are translating into real-world success, building career-ready skills, and shaping their future in agriculture. From leadership to hands-on learning, these students are proving what it means t...

New episode release 🎙️✨ This week, we’re sitting down with Ayla Tolentino—a 2026 Ag Author of the Year whose journey in agriculture started with simple curiosity and grew into something truly impactful. 🌱📚 From exploring her friends’ dairy cows to developing a national-winning ag science fair project on whether expired seeds are trash or treasure, Ayla has always asked questions that matter. Th...

6 generations deep and just getting started. 🌱🔥 Carson Kahler, known as the “6th Gen Farmer,” is keeping tradition alive in southwestern Minnesota, farming in the Sherburn and Dunnell area where his family’s roots run deep. A graduate of Martin County West High School and South Dakota State University, Carson is using his platform to share the real story of agriculture while continuing his famil...

In this episode of Beyond the Jacket, we sit down with Gunther Kreps, Executive Vice President at AgXplore and a proud National FFA Organization alumnus. Gunther shares how his time in FFA helped shape the leader he is today and why the lessons learned in the blue jacket continue to influence his career, leadership style, and passion for giving back. From leadership and personal growth to career a...

This week on the podcast, Paige sits down with Texas FFA State Officers Riley and Jud to talk about leadership on one of the biggest stages in agriculture. From the lessons they’ve learned to the impact they hope to leave behind, they share what it truly means to lead with authenticity and purpose. If you’ve ever dreamed about wearing the state officer jacket—or you’re simply looking to grow as a...

his week on Beyond the Jacket, we’re joined by Taylor Nothdurft, Missouri FFA State Vice President, whose passion for agricultural education is shaping the future of students across the state. From developing leadership skills to building lasting legacies, Taylor shares how agricultural education goes far beyond the classroom. She reflects on the mentors, moments, and milestones that have fueled h...

She’s more than a crown. 👑 On this week’s episode of Beyond the Jacket, we sit down with Riah Schrage, the 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen, to hear her story — from the hard work behind the spotlight to the lessons that shaped her along the way. Riah shares insights on perseverance, staying true to yourself, and leading with confidence, both on stage and off. You don’t want to miss this inspiring conv...

This week on Beyond The Jacket, we’re joined by Artha Jonassaint for a powerful conversation on leadership, identity, and the responsibility that comes with using your voice. We dive into what it really looks like to lead with authenticity, stay grounded in who you are, and show up with purpose in spaces that demand influence and impact. This isn’t surface-level motivation — it’s real perspective,...

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with James Sharpe, the passionate FFA Advisor at Moore Haven FFA, to explore the impact of agricultural education and student leadership. From mentoring students to sparking a lifelong love of agriculture, James shares his journey guiding the next generation of FFA members. We dive into the challenges and rewards of being an FFA advisor, unco...

We’re celebrating the Agriscience Fair Award winners in the Social Science category from Hawaii: Nicholas Nishimura and Lakeisha Quitog! 🏆🌺 In this episode, they share the inspiration behind their innovative project, the challenges they overcame, and what it means to explore agriculture through a social science lens. From research to real-world impact, their story is a perfect example of curiosi...

We’re honored to shine the spotlight on Laura Brecht, the 2025 Iowa FFA Golden Owl Award recipient, and one of the most influential voices in agricultural education today. In this episode, Laura shares her inspiring journey into ag education, the moments that shaped her as an FFA advisor, and the deep passion that drives her commitment to students both inside and outside the classroom. From buildi...