M-O FFA Members Talk SAEs On Podcast

With the holidays being in full swing and the recent cool weather, the Mulhall-Orlando FFA has been kept busy, especially with a few interviews for the Off-Farm Income Podcast. Matt Brechwald, the podcast’s creator and host, runs a small farm in Idaho with his wife and daughter. Brechwald also owns his own business, Idaho Gopher Control. On the Off-Farm Income Podcast, he has visited with countless FFA members and agriculturalist from across the nation. Numerous Mulhall-Orlando FFA members have been featured on the podcast, in which they visited about their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), businesses, goals, and more.

Treasurer Willie Schoonover was the first of the two officers to appear on the podcast on December 12th. He and Brechwald began by discussing Schoonover’s parents’ occupation. Since his parents are both veterinarians, Schoonover has always had a love for animals, and agriculture has always been a part of his life. His father has played a huge role in his FFA career and has inspired him to become a better leader. As a chapter officer, he hopes to gain more qualities of leadership and introduce younger kids to the wo r l d of agr i cul ture. Br e chwa l d and Schoonover then discussed Schoonover’s SAE projects, which are Diversified Livestock Entrepreneurship and Veterinary Science Placement. He raises and shows goats, and shows sheep, hogs, and cattle. When he is not working with his animals on the farm, he is working as a vet assistant at his mother’s animal hospitals. The podcast is wrapped up with Schoonover’s plans after high school, which are to attend college and eventually veterinary school. “It is the road I have been wanting to take since I was a little kid,” he says.

Secretary Hanna Schmidt later appeared on the podcast on December 26th. Brechwald began by asking about her business of cutting down trees. As part of her Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management SAE, Schmidt began cutting down cedar trees two years ago on her parents’ small farm, which grew into the business she has today. Next, Brechwald asked what inspired her to join the FFA. “I have always been captured by the idea of FFA,” she replied. After becoming a member in the 8th grade, she continued to show hogs, began Agriscience experiments, and joined the meats judging team. She decided to run for a chapter office during her Freshman year, as she felt it was the next step for her as an FFA member. Schmidt enjoys encouraging others to join and sharing her knowledge of agriculture the most as an officer. The podcast is finished off with her plan after high school, which is to pursue a degree in agricultural education.

If you would like to learn more about the Off-Farm Income Podcast or listen to these episodes, then visit www.offincome. com. Lastly, the Mulhall- Orlando FFA would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!