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Tom Kingery grew up in agriculture, judged livestock at Purdue University, taught middle and high school ag education for 15 years, and now helps prepare the next generation of agriculture teachers at Western Kentucky University.

In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, Jim and Tom reconnect decades after traveling together on Purdue’s 1992 livestock judging team to discuss how agricultural education has changed — and what today’s students still need from teachers, parents, and the industry itself.

The conversation explores:

•  Why many students today lack the confidence and hands-on experiences previous generations developed naturally 
•  The growing disconnect between “college-for-all” messaging and the reality of skilled trades demand 
•  Why agriculture programs risk overlooking the “lost middle” students who are neither struggling nor standout academic stars 
•  The value of FFA, livestock judging, shop classes, and career-focused education 
•  Why skilled trades like welding, HVAC, electrical work, and equipment technology may offer stronger opportunities than many traditional four-year degrees 
•  The challenge of balancing STEM-focused education with practical career preparation 
•  How social media and technology are reshaping communication, learning, and student engagement 
•  Why relationships, relevance, and rigor still matter in the classroom 

Tom also shares how Western Kentucky University emphasizes hands-on agricultural experiences — from cutting hay and fixing fence to developing real-world teaching labs — to prepare students for careers in agriculture education, animal science, agronomy, and beyond.

This episode is not just about education. It is a broader conversation about workforce development, agriculture’s future, rural culture, and what happens when society loses respect for skilled labor and practical knowledge.

If you care about agriculture, education, workforce development, FFA, skilled trades, or the future of rural America, this conversation will challenge you to think deeper about how we prepare the next generation.