Patio Ponderings
Exploring the Expected and the Obscure in Agriculture
From a lifetime in agriculture to deep dives into leadership, rural life, and the evolving food system, Patio Pondering is a podcast where thoughtful conversations meet the open air. Hosted by Jim Smith, Ph.D., a seasoned Swine Nutritionist, agricultural thinker, and storyteller, this podcast explores the connections between our agricultural roots and the broader world.
What started as daily reflections—scribbled with a morning coffee in hand—has grown into a podcast that uncovers the insights, challenges, and sometimes-forgotten history of the industry that feeds us all. Whether solo pondering or engaging in candid discussions with guests, this show digs into everything from livestock production to food trends, rural business shifts, and the personal stories that shape agricultural life.
Now available in both audio and video formats, Patio Pondering brings these discussions to life on YouTube and podcast platforms alike. Whether you prefer to listen on the go or watch the conversation unfold, you’ll find fresh perspectives, candid storytelling, and the kind of conversations that make you think twice.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because agriculture is more than just dirt and livestock. It’s a story worth telling.
Patio Ponderings
The Lost Kids in the Middle - A Conversation with Dr. Tom Kingery
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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.