Live Hay Demonstrations Take Center Stage at Sunbelt Ag Expo 2025 The Sunbelt Ag Expo kicks off this week in Moultrie, Georgia, and attendees will have the unique opportunity to participate in a wide range of educational field demonstrations — especially in the hay fields. We caught up with Dr. Lisa Baxter, who shared exciting updates about this year’s hay …
The Roots of 4-H: Jessie Shambaugh and the Birth of American Agricultural Youth
Honoring Jessie Shambaugh: The Mother of 4-H In the early 1900s, American agriculture was rapidly evolving—and so were the communities that depended on it. At the heart of that progress stood Jessie Shambaugh, a dedicated farm wife whose passion for education and community development helped shape one of the most influential youth organizations in U.S. history: 4-H. Shambaugh was deeply …
National Cattlemen’s Foundation CME Group Scholarship Application Period Now Open
CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship Applications Open for 2025 The National Cattlemen’s Foundation and CME Group have officially opened the application period for the 2025 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship Program, offering financial support to students pursuing careers in agriculture and the beef industry. Todd Johnson, Senior Vice President of Federation Services for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, shared an …
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming, livestock, and home economics. The law created a system that connected land-grant universities with communities across the nation, ensuring that agricultural innovation and scientific research reached producers and their families …
Florida Commissioner of Ag Applauds MAHA Commission
Wilton Simpson Commits to Tackling Ultra-Processed Foods in Florida School Meals Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is taking a strong stance on improving childhood nutrition by addressing the prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school meals. In a recent press release, Simpson praised national efforts and pledged state-level action if needed. “The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is …
October Proclaimed as Alabama’s Farm To School Month
October Proclaimed Farm to School Month in Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has officially proclaimed October as Farm to School Month in Alabama, celebrating the meaningful connection between local farmers, students, and schools. The proclamation brings attention to the Alabama Farm to School Program, which continues to grow in both impact and investment. Since October 2020, the program has received $1.595 …
Georgia Milk Producers Provide Funds To Place Bulk Milk Dispensers in Georgia Schools
Georgia Milk Producers Launch School Milk Dispenser Initiative to Reduce Waste and Boost Nutrition Georgia milk producers are stepping up to make a big difference in school nutrition. During last week’s Georgia School Nutrition Association meeting, the producers unveiled a major initiative aimed at improving milk consumption and reducing waste in K-12 schools across the state. “The Georgia milk producers …
Henry Groseclose and the Founding of FFA: A Legacy in Agricultural Education
The Vision of Henry Groseclose (1920) Henry Groseclose holds a vital place in American agricultural history. As an agricultural education teacher at Blacksburg, Virginia High School, Groseclose recognized the importance of preparing young people for a future in farming. In March 1920, he organized a club for high school boys who were interested in pursuing agriculture as a career. His …
Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America
Farm Families and the Birth of Agricultural Policy As farm families moved westward and settled across the American heartland, they were unknowingly shaping the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Their struggles, innovations, and resilience created a living history that would later influence government officials tasked with developing agricultural policy. Recognizing the importance of this legacy, a few forward-thinking scholars insisted that …
Founding Fathers, Farming, and the Rise of Agricultural Education
Leaders Who Were Farmers First In 1776, the successful leaders who helped shape the new nation were also among its most accomplished farmers. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson stand out not only as political visionaries but also as agricultural innovators. Both men believed that the strength of the country depended on the productivity of its farms and the ability to …