The Straws That Stir The Drinks

Jack Lingenfelter interviews Zeke Chapman, owner of Support Georgia Agriculture. Chapman knew he wanted to help the Georgia FFA Foundation in some way during the Covid pandemic. As someone who specializes in custom apparel, he put a piece of artwork focusing on Georgia agriculture on a T-shirt and sold it online, then donated the proceeds to the foundation. He ran the fundraiser for two weeks, raising $15,000, so he decided to make it a permanent brand.  25% of every item sold directly benefits the Georgia FFA Foundation to support educational programs and scholarships for the kids who will one day be feeding America. Support Georgia Agriculture has now become a staple in the Georgia Agriculture community.

Jack Lingenfelter recaps the 2022 National FFA Convention with guests including Kaitlyn Hart, 2022 American Star in Agribusiness, Taleen Hanna, Newsroom Intern, Karter Goforth, Georgia’s National Officer Candidate, Michael Howard and Leslie Sherard, two of Georgia’s voting delegates, and Ben Lastly, Georgia FFA’s executive Secretary. The National FFA Convention is held annually in Indianapolis Indiana, at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Jack Lingenfelter previews 2022 National FFA convention in an interview with Erik Robinson the current National FFA Southern Region Vice President. Robinson, a member of the Effingham County FFA chapter and a student at the University of Georgia (UGA), was elected from a field of 36 candidates to serve as one of six national FFA officers for 2021-22. Each year, the National FFA Organization selects six student members to represent the organization as a national FFA officer for a one-year term. The two discuss Robinson's experience in FFA and the recent election to national office. He went through seven rounds of interviews and is the nineteenth Georgian to be elected as a national FFA officer. Erik is the son of Rick and Tara Robinson of Rincon.

Jack Lingenfelter recently interviewed Tyler Harper, Georgia State Senator for District 7 - covering the largest senate district in the state.  Harper lives in Ocilla and is a lifelong resident of South Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and holds an associate’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.   First elected to the Georgia State Senate on November 6, 2012, he currently serves as Chairman of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee and Vice Chairman of the Public Safety Committee.  He is also a member of the Appropriations Committee and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.  The two discuss Harper's leadership roles in the state of Georgia, importance of agriculture and his current run for Ag Commissioner.

Jack Lingenfelter interviews some of the most successful young people in Georgia livestock showing.  Payton Jackson, Mason Wall, Emma Hutto and Jordan Pritchett join Jack as they discuss their individual perspectives showing different species, improving their craft and overcoming challenges.  Each one provides an inside look at some of their favorite species.

Jack Lingenfelter interviews two of Hawaii's FFA Members: Sean Valencia and Vheena Sistoza.  Valencia is a member of the Waipahu Chapter and Hawaii FFA State Reporter.  Sistoza is also a member of the Waipahu Chapter and Hawaii FFA State President.  The two discuss their unique prespectives on FFA and Agriculture.  They also discuss Hawaii's agriculture contributions and the integral part it plays in the industry.

Jack Lingenfelter recently interviewed Hillery Culpepper who serves as the Assistant Director of the Georgia FFA Foundation, Inc.  The Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization committed to obtaining and providing the resources needed to advance Georgia FFA. The vision of the Georgia FFA Foundation is to be a financially sustainable source that exceeds the needs of the Georgia FFA.  The two discuss Culpepper's leadership role at the foundation and its importance to the overall structure of FFA in the State of Georgia. 

Jack Lingenfelter recently interviewed several former and current Georgia State FFA Officers.  They discussed the 2021 Hybrid State FFA Convention in Georgia.  Interviews include Emma Long, Ethan Hyers, Nate McKinney, Madison Kelly and Jacob Harper.

Jack Lingenfelter recently interviewed Tess Seibel who served as a 2019-2020 National FFA officer.  Seibel is the daughter of an agriculture teacher, and she started attending the Virginia FFA state convention at 3 years old. “I joined FFA because it was a family tradition, but I stayed because of the people,” she says. She went on to serve as a state officer there, which helped prepare her for national office. The two discuss Seibel's recent leadership positions in FFA and growing up in the organization.

Jack Lingenfelter interviews Arham Shah who recently served as the Georgia 4H State President. Shah, from Swainsboro, Georgia, Is currently a Freshman at the University of Georgia majoring in Political Science and minoring in AgriBusiness.  Shah has been a member of 4H since the 6th grade and plans to attend UGA Law School.  The two discuss Shah's recent leadership positions in 4H and growing up in the organization.

Jack Lingenfelter interviews Doster “Dos” Harper who was recently named the National FFA President for 2020-2021.  Harper is a 2018 graduate of Eastside High School In Covington, Georgia and is currently attending the University of Georgia, majoring in agriscience and environmental systems.  Each year, the National FFA Organization selects six student members to represent the organization as a national FFA officer for a one-year term.  Harper is only the fourth National President from the state of Georgia.  The two discuss Harper's experience in FFA and the recent election to national office.

Jack Lingenfelter Interviews Mark Poeschl, CEO of the National FFA Organization.  The two discuss Poeschl's involvement in FFA and his journey to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Poeschl is a former FFA member and a past state FFA president of Nebraska. He holds a degree from the Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln.  

Jack Lingenfelter interviews Rick Burgess and the two discuss his most recent project, The Man Church, his daily radio show and how his faith plays an Important role.  Rick has been the cohost of the “Rick and Bubba Show” since 1994, a nationally syndicated radio show which airs to 1.2 million people weekly. Rick has coauthored multiple New York Times bestselling books that are autobiographical in nature, but his latest release is a 40-day devotional designed to disciple men, a personal passion and calling from the Lord. How to Be a Man, the Pursuit of Christ-Centered Masculinity is coauthored by Andy Blanks and was released by Iron Hill Press in 2017. Rick has appeared on various radio and television shows including Fox and Friends and the Sean Hannity Show as a commentator and guest.

Welcome to the Season 1 final episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life. He wraps up Season 1 and previews Season 2 and its theme: What Is Your Why? Stay tuned for Season 2 starting August 2020.

Welcome to a new episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life while he interviews Ian Bennett, former Georgia FFA State Secretary and National FFA Vice President for the Southern Region. Bennett served as an officer on the Georgia FFA leadership team and traveled the state promoting the ideals of the great organization. The two discuss Bennett's background, experiences rising up through the FFA ranks and his duties as a state and national officer.

Welcome to a new episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life while he interviews Ivey Cook, the current Georgia FFA State Secretary. Cook serves as an officer on the Georgia FFA leadership team and travels the state promoting the ideals of the great organization. The two discuss Cook's background, experiences rising up through the FFA ranks and his current duties as a state officer.

Welcome to a new episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life while he interviews Kourtney Lehman, the current National FFA Secretary. Lehman, an Oregon native, serves as the second representative in a row from the state on the National FFA leadership team and travels the country promoting the ideals of the great organization. Lehman, 21, is one of six officers chosen from a pool of 44 finalists at the 2019 National FFA convention. The two discuss Lehman’s background, experiences rising up through the FFA ranks and her current duties as a national officer.

Welcome to a new episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life while he interviews Erik Robinson, the current Georgia FFA State President. Robinson serves as an officer on the Georgia FFA leadership team and travels the state promoting the ideals of the great organization. The two discuss Robinson's background, experiences rising up through the FFA ranks and his current duties as a state officer.

Welcome to a new episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life while he interviews Mamie Hertel, the current National FFA Vice President for the Central Region. Hertel serves as an officer on the National FFA leadership team and travels the country promoting the ideals of the great organization. She became the first female national officer to be elected from Montana and only the 8th Montana member in history to hold a national office. The two discuss Hertel’s background, experiences rising up through the FFA ranks and her current duties as a national officer.

Welcome to a new episode of "The Straws That Stir The Drinks". Jack Lingenfelter, Area 6 Officer for the Georgia FFA, discusses FFA, Ag and Life while he interviews Ben Lastly, Executive Secretary for the Georgia FFA.  Lastly serves as a leader in the Georgia FFA organization through student leadership team development and the state convention.  The two discuss Lastly's background, experiences with Georgia FFA and his current duties as an Executive Secretary.