Episode 22: Cultivating the Future: How Golf, 4-H, and a Non-Farm Upbringing Led to Ag Education

02/17/25 • 55 min

Agriculture isn’t just about growing crops—it’s about growing leaders. In this episode of Patio Pondering, I sit down with Lexy Turpchinoff, an agriculture educator at DeKalb High School, to explore how her non-farm upbringing shaped her journey into agricultural education.

Unlike many in the industry, Lexy didn’t grow up on a farm or participate in FFA as a student—but that didn’t stop her from building a strong foundation in agriculture. Through golf, 4-H, and hands-on experiences, she developed the leadership skills and passion that ultimately led her to teaching agriculture and mentoring students.

We also discuss common misconceptions about agricultural education, how the field is evolving, and what today’s students need to know to succeed in the industry.

Whether you’re a farmer, an educator, or someone who’s simply passionate about agriculture’s next generation, this episode is full of insights, inspiration, and real-world stories.

🎧 Tune in and join the conversation as we uncover the lessons, challenges, and opportunities in agricultural education!

🔔 Subscribe to Patio Pondering Podcast for more discussions on agriculture, leadership, and industry insights!

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We also discuss common misconceptions about agricultural education, how the field is evolving, and what today’s students need to know to succeed in the industry.

Whether you’re a farmer, an educator, or someone who’s simply passionate about agriculture’s next generation, this episode is full of insights, inspiration, and real-world stories.

🎧 Tune in and join the conversation as we uncover the lessons, challenges, and opportunities in agricultural education!

🔔 Subscribe to Patio Pondering Podcast for more discussions on agriculture, leadership, and industry insights!

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Episode 21: 100 Days Without Bourbon—A Sober Reflection on Five Months of Writing

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This episode deserved a second chance. The first time around, it got lost in the shuffle—but it’s one of my most personal reflections yet. So, I gave it a fresh title and a sharper focus.

100 days without bourbon. Five months of daily writing. A journey filled with unexpected lessons, quiet shifts, and one word that still doesn’t sit right: sobriety.

In this episode, I reflect on:
✔️ The raw, unexpected lessons from 100 days without bourbon.
✔️ Why sobriety doesn’t feel like the right word—and why that matters.
✔️ The highs, lows, and curveballs from five months of writing.
✔️ How personal growth never looks the way we expect.

If you’ve ever questioned a habit, a label, or the way change really happens, this one’s for you.

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Episode 23: Mike Pearson – Finding His Own Voice in Agricultural Broadcasting

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Mike Pearson’s name is well-known in agricultural media, but his journey to becoming one of the most recognized voices in farm broadcasting was anything but easy. In this episode of Patio Pondering, Mike opens up about the weight of legacy—stepping into his father Mark Pearson’s role at Market to Market after his sudden passing, then later taking on another iconic position at U.S. Farm Report.

Beyond the headlines and the camera lights, Mike shares the deeply personal side of his story—his struggles with alcoholism, how it impacted his career, and the turning points that helped him rebuild. This isn’t just a conversation about farm broadcasting; it’s about resilience, redemption, and finding one’s own voice in an industry that never stops moving.

An honest and powerful discussion about pressure, expectations, and the lessons that agriculture teaches us about perseverance.