Safety Glasses Required-From Shop to Farm

In this episode, we recap our experience at the CATA Summer Conference and share some of the highlights from the week. We also take a deeper dive into California's Curricular Code, discussing how changes to the code are made, who is involved in the process, and why it matters to agricultural education programs.  If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us, our email is SGRpodcast@gmail.com...

In this episode, we discuss what it means to "embrace the suck" and push through challenges when things get difficult. We talk about Chris finishing his doctorate, the lessons learned through years of hard work, and how the same mindset applies to fitness, personal growth, and professional development. We also discuss the challenges teachers face throughout their careers and the importance of pers...

In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Justin Bolton. Justin is originally from the San Diego area—or as Dr. Williams likes to say, "LA"—and is currently studying Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Mechanics at Fresno State. Unlike many of our students, Justin was never involved in FFA during high school, but his passion for working with his hands and l...

This week on Safety Glasses Required , we continue our conversation on artificial intelligence, diving deeper into how AI is shaping ag mechanics, from smart technology in the shop to the future of hands-on learning. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website at you can also check o...

This week on Safety Glasses Required , we talk about artificial intelligence—what we think about it, how it's changing the world around us, and start exploring what AI could mean for ag mechanics. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode...

This week on Safety Glasses Required , we dig into troubleshooting in the shop and share how we tackle problems—even when we don't have all the answers.

This week on Safety Glasses Required, we talk about staying safe in the shop and why equipment maintenance matters more than you think. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://safetyglassesrequired....

In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Jaime De Anda. Jaime is from Bakersfield, CA, and graduated from Mira Monte High School. He is currently studying Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Mechanics at Fresno State. During high school, Jaime was a state winner in the Agricultural Mechanics CDE, demonstrating his skill and passion for the field early on....

In this episode, we sit down with Yesenia Ramirez, an Ag Mechanics teacher at Central High School (Fresno-Central) and Fresno State, where she teaches night classes. With roots in Kerman High School and a degree from Fresno State's Ag Mechanics program, Yesenia has dedicated her career to shaping the future of agricultural education. As a key contributor to FFA Field Day and deeply involved in var...

In this episode, we discuss the future of Ag Mechanics, exploring potential changes to state standards and the direction the field may take moving forward. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://sa...

In this episode we give you an update on the Fall 2024 semester, what we have been up to,  and some new opportunities that we have moving forward. We have set a schedule to record more often so we do not have a big break in-between episodes.  If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast websi...

In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Braden Fowler. Braden is from Auburn, CA. Braden was originally an education major but changed his major and is currently an Ag Education major with an emphasis in Agriculture Mechanics. He as been a part of our program for the past two years and has helped with multiple activities. This past year he took on the role of co-chair for th...

In this episode we give you an update on CATA summer conference, what we have been up, and we spend a little time honouring our mentor Ken Heupel. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://safetyglass...

After over two months we are back. In this episode we talk about conferences. The best parts, the worst parts and what we hope to get out of any conference or workshops we go to. This episode was recorded while driving down so you may hear some background noise as a result. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.e...

In this episode we talk about the California curriculum standards in Agriculture Mechanics. We discuss good standards, standards that need to be removed or changed, and what new standards we think should be added. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website you can also check ou...

It has been a while, but we finally have some new episodes. In this episode, we talk about shop organization and clean up.  If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com...

It has been a while, but we finally have some new episodes. In this episode we talk about building partnerships and how to maintain them within your community.  If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  htt...

In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Elysabeth Gomez. Elysabeth is from Madera and went to Madera South High School and like our last guest was not involved in the FFA in high school. Elysabeth was new to the ag mechanics world when she decided last semester that she wanted to change her emphasis to ag mechanics. Even though she is new she has gained a lot of skills in th...

In this episode, we got to interview a former student of ours, McCaleb Pewitt.  McCaleb is currently a second lieutenant in the Air Force.  McCaleb is from Clovis and unlike most of our guests was not involved in the FFA in high school.  He is somebody that we are both proud to say we got the opportunity to have as a student in our classes and our excited about his future with the military. If you...

It has been a while, but we finally have some new episodes. In this episode, we talk about safety and updates on the doc program and textbook progress.  If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu  or  jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu   Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link https://safe...

This episode Johnny and I wrote up another 10 questions each and then quizzed each other.  Play along and see how well you can score with this episode.   If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  SGRpodcast@gmail.com   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/   Check out...

In this episode we talk about textbooks. John is currently working on updating the Agriculture Mechanics Fundamentals and Applications book and we thought this would be a great topic to discuse. We ask questions like what purpose do they serve? How do we use them to design our curriculum? How do we have students use them in class?  If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is clmcken...

In this episode we talk about what its like going back school.  After taking some time away from being a student, how does it feel to move from the teacher role back to being a student.   If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is  SGRpodcast@gmail.com   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://safetyglassesrequ...

In this episode we get to talk to Dr. Sam Rodriguez.  Dr. Rodriguez is currently an Assistant Professor in the Animal Sciences and Ag Education Department at Fresno State.  Dr. Rod, as he tells his students to call him, has been in the teaching profession for 25 years and taught at the high school and community college, and now the university level.  Dr. Rod currently works with the Ag Ed students...

In this episode we talk about curriculum and making changes even after 15+ years of teaching.  How change can be a great thing, but can also be hard to do after you have developed a way of teaching.   If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is SGRpodcast@gmail.com   Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link  https://safet...