Working With the Uncomfortable with Izzie Birker

Opening Doors for The Next Generation with Will McKenna

In this episode, we are joined by Vinton-Shellsburg FFA president Will McKenna! Will and I are both incredibly passionate about the importance of teaching agricultural literacy to our youth and supporting our newer, and older generations of agriculturalists. In this episode, we discuss the recent changes in our schools ag. education program which opened up "new doors" for our middle schoolers. Along with that, we talk about the decrease in land used for agriculture and why understanding between our younger and older farmers is so vital. So take a seat, zip that jacket, and dive into what's Beyond the Blue!

Working With the Uncomfortable with Izzie Birker

In this episode of Beyond the Blue, Izzie and I are going head first into getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. More specifically, how to get the most out of your involvement, even if the awkward parts are holding you back. Along with that, we are talking more about how she has been able to utilize those skills in her career endeavors now. Lastly, we talk about her major in agricultural studies and how she's been able to apply her agricultural knowledge in college! You don't wanna miss this!

Finding Yourself within FFA

In this episode, we are joined by my chapter's vice-president Ciara Dods! Ciara joined FFA after being influenced (passive-aggressively forced...) by her sister who was also enrolled in ag classes. Initially, she wasn't as active. However, after signing up for her first LDE, she began to get more involved within the chapter. In this sixth episode of Beyond the Blue, we talk about how FFA and our ag classes have impacted us and pushed us to be where we are today. Even though we both don't come from agricultural backgrounds, we both have found places for ourselves within the organization! Listen to this episode to hear more about our recollections from freshman year, advice to those who are thinking about joining, and some of our favorite– and not so favorite LDE's and CDE's!

From Contest, to Passion

In her beginning of high school, FFA was slightly out of Carlie's radar. But as she progressed through her freshmen and sophomore year, she made the decision to jump in and get involved. Deepening her involvement in the organization not only "gave her something to do", but has made her the person she is today, an agricultural business major who is passionate about the future of agriculture. Throughout Carlie's time as an FFA member, she was a Citizenship committee chair, a two-year team AG sales member, and a competitor for individual AG sales. Besides those roles, she has, and still does, play a major role in the AG room and chapter. Whether it's by pushing members to do their very best, being a helpful hand, or giving you the advice you need to hear. In this episode, we are unzipping her FFA story, the influences from her mentors, and what continuing agriculture after high school is like. However, the takeaways that she has pocketed in her years as a member and are sharing with us in this episode are a must-listen! So sit back, relax, tuck that tallywacker in, and hear more about life Beyond the Blue!

Step back, Take a Breath

As an FFA member, it often feels like you have a lot on your shoulders. Between homework, projects, and AET all concepts of keeping up get lost along the way. Finding the balance takes time, a whole lot of missing work, and often times, a break. Tune in this episode to hear my own experiences with burnout caused by this and the ways that I found to get myself out of that slump.