Hands in the Dirt, Eyes on the Future: Teaching Ag with Emily Ralston

In this inspiring episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, we sit down with Emily Ralston, a third-year middle school ag teacher and FFA advisor at Lincoln Memorial Middle School in Manatee County, Florida. Emily shares her unique journey into agriculture, from a late start despite her early love for horses to discovering her passion through livestock judging, student mentorship, and experiential learning.We explore:How she transitioned into a career in ag education and why it fuels her purposeThe magic of watching students go from knowing nothing about ag to catching newborn cows, raising livestock, and growing cropsThe importance of hands-on learning and getting students outdoorsHow Emily helped reestablish the Young Farmers and Ranchers group in Manatee County to build community, mentorship, and opportunityWhy she believes agriculture is "bigger than the individual" and how she inspires the next generation to find their place in itWhether you’re an ag teacher, a parent, or someone passionate about youth leadership and the future of farming, this episode will leave you energized and hopeful.