Young Ag Achievers

Sec. Arthur and Lee Benson briefly discuss some Oklahoma Agritourism sites they visited recently in NE Oklahoma (0:00). Callen Veit of Morrison FFA and Lynlee McCurry of Salina FFA join the show to talk a little about their experience at Oklahoma Farm Bureau Capitol Camp. Turns out watermelons were a big topic on the floor. Both are active in speech as well. Lynlee talks about horse judging and Callen has a passion for trying to prolong beef shelf life (3:35). Sec. Arthur and Lee Benson recap the interview and Lee talks about his first time experiencing wheat harvest (33:50).

ODAFF Deputy Commissioner JanLee Rowlett makes her debut on the show. We learn about JanLee's ag background and a little bit about what she does at ODAFF (00:00). Madilyn Norvell of Amber-Pocasset FFA and Cierra Collins of Frederick FFA join the show to talk about their recent success in speech competitions. They also talk about the importance of family, showing cattle, and who they look up to (5:15). Lee Benson and JanLee react to the conversation (34:50).

Sec. Arthur talks about a very unusual recent travel experience before describing her most memorable international trips since she's been Oklahoma Secretary of Ag (00:00). Ryne Crosthwait from Stillwater FFA and LeAundre Delonia of Okmulgee FFA join the show to talk about their experiences in ag. They both have history with poultry, Ryne more with show chickens, LeAundre more with broilers. Both are also active in the speech world as they talk about the ups and downs of preparing and performing speeches (6:20). Sec. Arthur and Lee Benson wrap up the show by reacting to the interview and then talking about ice cream in honor of Dairy Month (39:05).

The theme of this episode is wheat, which means that Sec. Arthur and ODAFF PIO Lee Benson begin the podcast by talking about their favorite foods involving wheat (00:00). Destry Swaim of Okeene FFA and Clinton Chaney of Medford 4-H sit down with Sec. Arthur to talk about their expertise in the wheat field. Destry was named overall grand champion in the 2023 Oklahoma 4-H/FFA Junior Wheat Show and Clinton earned 1st place and 4-H champion (7:20). Sec. Arthur and Lee recap the conversation before Sec. Arthur talks about running the half marathon during the OKC Run to Remember (34:25).

Sec. Arthur talks about playing sports as a kid which included winning a state championship in soccer (00:00). Megan Mitchell of Tillman County 4-H and Jake Vulgamore of Canadian County 4-H join the show to talk about being 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors. Other topics include horsemanship, public speaking, and blender bikes (8:20). Sec. Arthur wraps up her interview before talking about training for the upcoming OKC Memorial Half Marathon and all the good and excitement that comes from this event (38:00).

Sec. Arthur previews her interview with a pair of former Agriculture Youth Council members and also talks about what her career aspirations were when she was a kid (00:00). OSU students Morley Griffith and Turner Longacre join the show to talk about a whole host of topics, beginning with their involvement in the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association. They also get into their time on the ODAFF Agriculture Youth Council, and Sec. Arthur turns the tables on them at the end (4:35). Sec. Arthur and ODAFF PIO Lee Benson recap the interview and preview Ag Day at the Capitol (36:55).

Sec. Arthur previews her upcoming interview before playing a game of "This or That" (00:00). Eliana Timmons of Stillwater FFA and Corbin Robbins of Chattanooga FFA join the show to talk about their recent ag honors. Corbin has been involved with the FFA Creed, while Eliana has competed in Agriscience (5:10). Sec. Arthur and ODAFF PIO Lee Benson react to the interview before Sec. Arthur provides an OYE wrap up (33:15).

Sec. Blayne Arthur provides the history of how the ODAFF Agriculture Youth Council came to be (00:00). Then Alexa Bouziden of Fairview FFA and Titus Montgomery of Red Oak FFA join the show to talk about their backgrounds in ag, their time in Ag Youth Council, the orgin of the "Young Ag Achievers" podcast, life advice, and much more (3:25). Sec. Arthur and ODAFF PIO Lee Benson react to the interview and talk about the latest person inducted into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame (36:00).

Sec. Blayne Arthur talks about her background in public speaking and if she gets nervous at all in those settings (00:00). Then Laela Begley of Elgin FFA and Josh Bay of Shattuck FFA join to talk about the upcoming Ag Mechanics contest at OYE, what goes into their craft, transporting projects hundreds of miles, and much more (6:05). Sec. Arthur & ODAFF PIO react to the interview and Sec. Arthur gives her thoughts on the OYE Legislative Showmanship event (36:15). 

Sec. Blayne Arthur talks about some of her interesting experiences while going through summer internships in college (00:00). Then Presley Pullen of Stratford and Bridger Arrington of Mulhall-Orlando 4H join the show to talk about leadership, working with others, their favorite things about Oklahoma, and much more (5:00). Sec. Arthur and Lee Benson give their thoughts on the interview and the recent wildfires that have impacted Oklahoma (38:00).