In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Chris DeCubellis, a seasoned farmer, rancher, and Associate State 4-H Program Leader with the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension. Chris brings a lifetime of agricultural experience to the show, balancing a full-time role in youth development with running a diverse family farm in Florida, where he raises livestock, grows vegetables, and maintains fruit trees.

We dig into the history and future of Extension Services, the power of 4-H project-based learning, and how hands-on work helps young people develop skills in leadership, resilience, and career readiness. From in-person clubs to virtual options, 4-H is breaking barriers with technology, making agricultural education more accessible than ever for youth ages 5 to 28. Chris also shares insight into Work-Ready Florida, a new program designed to guide students into agriculture-related careers.

Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes the vital role that land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension play in youth development, public education, and community resilience. Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, or ag professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the programs shaping tomorrow’s food and farming leaders.

Topics Covered:

• The roots and mission of Cooperative Extension Services

• Why 4-H’s Head, Heart, Hands, and Health model still matters

• How project work builds confidence and capability in youth

• Expanding reach through virtual 4-H clubs and specialized programs

• The role of agriculture in workforce development

• Importance of land-grant universities and fact-checked, peer-reviewed outreach

• Chris’s personal journey as a farmer, educator, and lifelong learner

Resources Mentioned:

• Florida 4-H Work-Ready Program: https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/youth/4-h-clubs/virtual-clubs/work-ready-florida/

• UF/IFAS Extension Services: https://ifas.ufl.edu

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In this inspiring episode of Modern Farming, we sit down with Stacy Young, a powerhouse educator and advocate for agricultural literacy and hands-on learning. Stacy is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Branford High School, where her influence stretches far beyond the classroom. As a National FFA Teacher Ambassador and Agriscience Ambassador, she brings national-level insights to a local program that’s shaping the future of farming in Suwannee County, Florida.

🌱 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Stacy’s journey from high school FFA member to becoming Branford’s first female ag teacher, and how her own teacher sparked a lifelong career.

• The dynamic, student-driven programs she leads—including greenhouse and aquaponics systems, a full shop for ag mechanics projects, and job training tied directly to real-world agricultural careers.

• How her students stay busy through summer managing family farms, research projects, and tending to 4.5 acres of maize and peanuts, plus barnyard animals like sheep, pigs, donkeys, and ducks.

• Her use of tools like the AEST Smart Growing System and GPS-integrated planting methods to prepare students for the future of ag technology.

• The remarkable stat that 1 in every 3 students at Branford High School is enrolled in the ag program—and how Stacy has expanded offerings all the way to the middle school level.

Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or just passionate about the future of food and farming, Stacy’s story will inspire you to see agriculture as a powerful platform for leadership, innovation, and legacy.

🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe!

In this episode, we’re joined by Emilyn Sharpless, a dynamic agricultural educator at Bok Academy in Lake Wales, Florida. With 10 years of teaching experience—six of those spent transforming Bok’s ag program—Emilyn shares how she rebuilt the curriculum from the ground up to align with FFA standards and student-driven learning. Her efforts paid off: Bok Academy was recently named one of Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters and is a National Chapter Finalist heading to national competition.

We explore how Emilyn engages her 185+ middle schoolers daily across six packed classes (with a student waitlist!) through a fully student-run program. From managing animals and greenhouse operations to using professional-grade equipment, her students gain hands-on experience and ownership in every aspect of their education.

Emilyn also reflects on her own journey—from FFA student to ag teacher—and what it means to guide the next generation of leaders. We dive into the high demand for ag teachers, the importance of land labs and contests in FFA, and how passion, mentorship, and real-world application are at the heart of her classroom.

If you care about agricultural education, FFA, or inspiring future farmers and leaders, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.