The Straws That Stir The Drinks

Episode 25: Zeke Chapman

Jack Lingenfelter interviews Zeke Chapman, owner of Support Georgia Agriculture. Chapman knew he wanted to help the Georgia FFA Foundation in some way during the Covid pandemic. As someone who specializes in custom apparel, he put a piece of artwork focusing on Georgia agriculture on a T-shirt and sold it online, then donated the proceeds to the foundation. He ran the fundraiser for two weeks, raising $15,000, so he decided to make it a permanent brand.  25% of every item sold directly benefits the Georgia FFA Foundation to support educational programs and scholarships for the kids who will one day be feeding America. Support Georgia Agriculture has now become a staple in the Georgia Agriculture community.

Episode 24: Recap of National Convention

Jack Lingenfelter recaps the 2022 National FFA Convention with guests including Kaitlyn Hart, 2022 American Star in Agribusiness, Taleen Hanna, Newsroom Intern, Karter Goforth, Georgia’s National Officer Candidate, Michael Howard and Leslie Sherard, two of Georgia’s voting delegates, and Ben Lastly, Georgia FFA’s executive Secretary. The National FFA Convention is held annually in Indianapolis Indiana, at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Episode 23: Preview of National Convention | Erik Robinson

Jack Lingenfelter previews 2022 National FFA convention in an interview with Erik Robinson the current National FFA Southern Region Vice President. Robinson, a member of the Effingham County FFA chapter and a student at the University of Georgia (UGA), was elected from a field of 36 candidates to serve as one of six national FFA officers for 2021-22. Each year, the National FFA Organization selects six student members to represent the organization as a national FFA officer for a one-year term. The two discuss Robinson's experience in FFA and the recent election to national office. He went through seven rounds of interviews and is the nineteenth Georgian to be elected as a national FFA officer. Erik is the son of Rick and Tara Robinson of Rincon.

Episode 22: Tyler Harper

Jack Lingenfelter recently interviewed Tyler Harper, Georgia State Senator for District 7 - covering the largest senate district in the state.  Harper lives in Ocilla and is a lifelong resident of South Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and holds an associate’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.   First elected to the Georgia State Senate on November 6, 2012, he currently serves as Chairman of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee and Vice Chairman of the Public Safety Committee.  He is also a member of the Appropriations Committee and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.  The two discuss Harper's leadership roles in the state of Georgia, importance of agriculture and his current run for Ag Commissioner.

Episode 21: Inside Georgia Livestock Showing

Jack Lingenfelter interviews some of the most successful young people in Georgia livestock showing.  Payton Jackson, Mason Wall, Emma Hutto and Jordan Pritchett join Jack as they discuss their individual perspectives showing different species, improving their craft and overcoming challenges.  Each one provides an inside look at some of their favorite species.