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 purpose
• The magic of watching students go from knowing nothing about ag to catching newborn cows, raising livestock, and growing crops
• The importance of hands-on learning and getting students outdoors
• How Emily helped reestablish the Young Farmers and Ranchers group in Manatee County to build community, mentorship, and opportunity
• Why she believes agriculture is "bigger than the individual" and how she inspires the next generation to find their place in it

Whether 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.