Growing Our Future

Welcome to the "Growing Our Future" podcast, where Aaron Alejandro invites inspiring guests to share insights on agriculture, advocacy, and making a positive impact. In this episode, Aaron is joined by Michelle Miller, also known as "The Farm Babe," an influencer, advocate, and social media powerhouse promoting truth in agriculture and debunking myths. Together, they delve into the importance of effective communication, the power of advocacy, and bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.

Michelle Miller, the iconic "Farm Babe," shares her journey from being an urban dweller to embracing agriculture through life experiences, self-discovery, and an affinity for the farm life. Michelle's passion for agriculture advocacy and her journey from city to farm make her a unique and compelling guest.

Story Notes:

• Embracing Agriculture for a Better Future
• Seeds of Greatness
• Gratitude and Freedom
• Living Your Brand
• Challenging Misinformation
• Advocacy and Bridging the Gap
• Advocacy Leadership and Professional Networking
• Debunking Myths
• Responding vs. Reacting

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, where Aaron Alejandro brings you subject matter experts to share their insights, experiences, and expertise in the world of agriculture and beyond. Today's guest is none other than Corey Rosenbusch, the President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute, a trade association based in Washington, DC, representing the fertilizer industry. Corey's journey from a small town in Texas to leading a significant industry association is truly inspiring.

Aaron and Corey reminisce about their long-standing friendship, with Corey humorously recalling their first meeting back in second grade. Corey shares that he is the President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute, a trade association representing the fertilizer industry.

Aaron and Corey reflect on the impact of FFA in shaping their career paths and the importance of staying open to diverse opportunities. Corey encourages young listeners to seek career paths in trade associations, as they can provide rewarding experiences and opportunities to make a difference.

Story Notes:

• Getting to Know Corey
• Gratitude and Family
• The Fertilizer Institute
• Transferable Skills from FFA
• Building Relationships

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

In this episode of the "Growing Our Future Podcast," host Aaron Alejandro welcomes Neely Nelson, the Head of Public and Government Affairs, Strategy, and Citizenship for ExxonMobil. Aaron emphasizes the importance of nurturing the future by bringing on exceptional guests who share their time, expertise, and insights. Neely, being no stranger to the FFA and a prominent figure in agriculture and government affairs, joins the show to discuss her journey, gratitude, and leadership experience.

Aaron and Neely discuss the transformative power of FFA in shaping the lives of young individuals. Neely mentions the positive impact of FFA's leadership programs, such as the legislative lead program, which opens students' eyes to career possibilities in advocacy, trade associations, public relations, and government affairs.

Story Notes:

• Gratitude and Positivity
• The Power of Perspective and Positive Focus
• Embracing Opportunities and Staying Open-Minded
• The Value of Leadership Skills

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, where Aaron Alejandro brings you insights, experiences, and expertise to help plant the seeds of greatness for a better future. In this episode, Aaron is joined by Dr. Justin Ransom, the Senior Director of Sustainable Food Policy at Tyson Foods. Dr. Ransom shares his knowledge and expertise on the future of food and how to shape it to meet the growing demand for production and feeding the world.

Dr. Ransom's impressive background in the food industry and agriculture is highlighted, including his educational journey and previous roles at USDA, McDonald's, and OI Group. He explains that his career path was not linear but led him to focus on shaping the future of food. The conversation delves into the significance of sustainability in the food industry, addressing challenges such as population growth and climate change. Dr. Ransom emphasizes the need for circularity and waste reduction in food systems. 

Aaron and Justin also discuss the abundance of opportunities in the food business for young individuals with agricultural backgrounds, extending beyond traditional farming roles. Listeners are invited to gain valuable insights from Dr. Ransom's expertise in shaping a sustainable future of food.

Story Notes:

• The Journey to Sustainable Food Policy
• The Scope of Dr. Ransom's Role
• Opportunities in the Food Business
• The Interconnectedness of Agriculture and Food Systems
• The Role of Sustainability in Shaping the Future of Food
• Redefining Sustainability as doing More with Less and Leaving a Better Planet

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

• Leadership and Planting Trees
• Background and Martial Arts Journey
• Establishing Warrior's Way Martial Arts
• The Importance of Training with the Best

In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast , Host Aaron Alejandro is joined by a special guest, Jon Gordon, a renowned author, speaker, and influencer. Aaron emphasizes the importance of nurturing and cultivating the future through the act of growing. Just like in agriculture, to know the future, one must actively plant the right seeds, nurture them, and eventually harvest the fruits.

Jon expresses his gratitude for his family, particularly his wife, daughter, and son, highlighting their achievements and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of planting oneself where they are and serving and leading to make a difference. The conversation touches on the essence of leadership, the impact of education on future generations, and the significance of optimism, faith, and relationships.

Aaron shares his perspective on the three "Rs" of leadership: respect, responsibility, and resiliency. Jon adds the importance of relationships and teamwork to the equation, stressing the value of focusing on others' growth and bringing out their greatness. They discuss the power of motivation, encouragement, and belief in leadership.

Story Notes:

• The Power of Planting
• Leadership and Legacy
• Gratitude and Overcoming Adversity
• Building Strong Teams
• The Power of Encouragement

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

In this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, host Aaron Alejandro interviews Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin shares her journey as a severely autistic child and the support she received from mentors and teachers throughout her life. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing different kinds of thinking, such as visual, pattern-based, and verbal thinking. Dr. Grandin discusses her work in designing livestock handling facilities and developing animal welfare auditing programs for major companies. She highlights the need for hands-on shop classes and the value of technical intelligence in fields like engineering and mechanical innovation. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. Overall, the episode offers insights into Dr. Grandin's unique perspective and the power of embracing diverse ways of thinking.

Story Notes:

• Understanding Autism
• Different Kinds of Thinking
• Importance of Hands-On Education

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

In this episode, Aaron interviews Kay Allison Crews, Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher (CPP-T) and Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP). Kay has been serving the FFA as their parliamentarian both in Texas and nationally for several years. Aaron introduces Kay as the subject matter expert behind the scenes, and the audience gets to learn about her pathway to becoming a parliamentarian. In the podcast, Kay talks about the credentials she carries, including the professional registered parliamentarian credential, which she obtained by demonstrating her skills before a small group of her peers. Aaron asks Kay what she is grateful for, and she shares that she is grateful for her health, education, and great friends. Aaron also expresses his appreciation for family, friends, and his job. The podcast offers insight into a career opportunity and an education in parliamentary procedures.

Kay also emphasized the importance of parliamentary procedure skills in today's world, as decisions are constantly being made in meetings. She highlighted that having a good command of parliamentary procedure and understanding the basics of democracy could give individuals a competitive edge in the job market, particularly for those seeking to become involved in student government, boards, and committees. Kay also shared her personal experience of learning parliamentary procedure as a freshman in high school and how it has benefited her throughout her professional career. Although some people may find parliamentary procedure boring, it is a unique and valuable skill that can be useful in a variety of industries, including labor unions, political parties, and even elevator repair organizations. Kay believes that young people should consider learning parliamentary procedure as it can equip them with the skills needed to make effective decisions and run meetings efficiently.

Story Notes:

• Learning Parliamentary Procedure
• Competitive Edge in the Job Market
• Career Opportunity in Parliamentary Procedure

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

The Growing Our Future podcast welcomes Russell Graves, a professional photographer who shares his experiences and insights about his career. Host Aaron Alejandro introduces Russell as an international superstar in the photography world and begins by asking him what he is grateful for today. Russell expresses his gratitude for his health, family, and being an American. He is also happy about spending a few days in the great outdoors.

Russell shares background and how he started his journey as a photographer in high school. He talks about his rural upbringing in Texas, where he fell in love with photography by capturing pictures of the rural lifestyle and nature that surrounded him. He further explains his early successes in photography and his dream of becoming a magazine photographer. Russell also talks about his career path, where he became an ag science teacher before pursuing photography professionally. Aaron commended Russell for his incredible work in bringing the beauty of the great outdoors to people's screens and encouraging others to spend more time outside.

Russell is a successful photographer, writer, and teacher, who grew up in rural Texas with a strong work ethic and supportive family. He started his photography career in his late teens, and after earning a degree in agriculture education, he became a highly respected agriscience teacher and photographer in Texas. He left teaching in 2009 to focus on photography full-time and has since led photographic workshops and created content for magazines, advertising campaigns, television projects, and books. Russell has been recognized as one of the top photographers in Texas and is known for his ability to connect people and places through his stories. He is also a successful businessman and has helped develop rural areas in Texas. Despite his many accomplishments, he values his relationships with family and friends above all else.

Story Notes:

• The Love with Photography
• Connecting People Through Art
• Value Relationships with Family and Friends Above All Else.

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org

In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro welcomes Chairman Bryan Daniel, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, to discuss his journey to leadership and the importance of helping young people find success. Bryan grew up in the FFA and has now gone on to make a significant impact in his position, and Aaron is honored to have him on the show. They discuss the power of gratitude and being thankful for the opportunities that allow them to make a difference in the lives of others. The conversation also delves into the essence of leadership and the importance of planting trees under whose shades you may never sit. Overall, the episode aims to inspire listeners to plant seeds of greatness that will make their lives, Texas, and the country better.

Story Notes:

• Time, Talent, Treasure, and Testimony Are Essential to Helping Young People Find Success.
• A Grateful Attitude Can Rejuvenate and Inspire Individuals to Keep Going.
• Leadership Is About Making a Difference in the Lives of Others

Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org