Safety Glasses Required-From Shop to Farm

A podcast from two instructors in Mechanized Agriculture at Fresno State. Topics cover welding, tractors and equipment, basic shop skills, hydraulics, teaching, farming, and anything in between.

Episode 126 Jaime De Anda 03/12/2025

Episode 126 Jaime De Anda In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Jaime De Anda. Jaime is from Bakersfield, CA, and graduated from Mira Monte High School. He is currently studying Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Mechanics at Fresno State. During high school, Jaime was a state winner in the Agricultural Mechanics CDE, demonstrating his skill and passion for the field early on. Now, as a college student, he has been actively involved in our program, contributing to various activities and events. Tune in to hear about his journey in ag education, his experiences in ag mechanics, and his future aspirations in the industry. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website for the latest episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/35662180

Episode 125 Yesenia Ramirez 10/21/2024

Episode 125 Yesenia Ramirez In this episode, we sit down with Yesenia Ramirez, an Ag Mechanics teacher at Central High School (Fresno-Central) and Fresno State, where she teaches night classes. With roots in Kerman High School and a degree from Fresno State's Ag Mechanics program, Yesenia has dedicated her career to shaping the future of agricultural education. As a key contributor to FFA Field Day and deeply involved in various ag mechanics initiatives, she shares her journey, passion for teaching, and insights into the ever-evolving world of ag mechanics education. Join us as we explore how she is helping foster the next generation of leaders in agriculture. If you have questions Yesenia can be reached through his email /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/33559492

Episode 124 The Future of Ag Mechanics 10/07/2024

Episode 124 The Future of Ag Mechanics In this episode, we discuss the future of Ag Mechanics, exploring potential changes to state standards and the direction the field may take moving forward. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/33336052

Episode 123 Quarterly Update 09/24/2024

Episode 123 Quarterly Update In this episode we give you an update on the Fall 2024 semester, what we have been up to, and some new opportunities that we have moving forward. We have set a schedule to record more often so we do not have a big break in-between episodes. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/33179597

Episode 122 Braden Fowler 08/02/2024

Episode 122 Braden Fowler In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Braden Fowler. Braden is from Auburn, CA. Braden was originally an education major but changed his major and is currently an Ag Education major with an emphasis in Agriculture Mechanics. He as been a part of our program for the past two years and has helped with multiple activities. This past year he took on the role of co-chair for the Small Gas Engines CDE. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website for the latest episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/32419792

Episode 121 Summer Time 07/23/2024

Episode 121 Summer Time In this episode we give you an update on CATA summer conference, what we have been up, and we spend a little time honouring our mentor Ken Heupel. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/32261622

Episode 120 Conferences 06/04/2024

Episode 120 Conferences After over two months we are back. In this episode we talk about conferences. The best parts, the worst parts and what we hope to get out of any conference or workshops we go to. This episode was recorded while driving down so you may hear some background noise as a result. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/31606232

Episode 119 Curriculum Standards 03/25/2024

Episode 119 Curriculum Standards In this episode we talk about the California curriculum standards in Agriculture Mechanics. We discuss good standards, standards that need to be removed or changed, and what new standards we think should be added. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/30504858

Episode 118 Shop Organization 03/04/2024

Episode 118 Shop Organization It has been a while, but we finally have some new episodes. In this episode, we talk about shop organization and clean up. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/30222573

Episode 117 Establishing and Maintaining Partnerships 02/05/2024

Episode 117 Establishing and Maintaining Partnerships It has been a while, but we finally have some new episodes. In this episode we talk about building partnerships and how to maintain them within your community. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/29807153

Episode 116 Elysabeth Gomez 01/15/2024

Episode 116 Elysabeth Gomez In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Elysabeth Gomez. Elysabeth is from Madera and went to Madera South High School and like our last guest was not involved in the FFA in high school. Elysabeth was new to the ag mechanics world when she decided last semester that she wanted to change her emphasis to ag mechanics. Even though she is new she has gained a lot of skills in the past year that are going to make her a great ag mechanics teacher. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website for the latest episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/29371238

Episode 115 McCaleb Pewitt 01/08/2024

Episode 115 McCaleb Pewitt In this episode, we got to interview a former student of ours, McCaleb Pewitt. McCaleb is currently a second lieutenant in the Air Force. McCaleb is from Clovis and unlike most of our guests was not involved in the FFA in high school. He is somebody that we are both proud to say we got the opportunity to have as a student in our classes and our excited about his future with the military. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website for the latest episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/29371213

Episode 114 Safety 12/18/2023

Episode 114 Safety It has been a while, but we finally have some new episodes. In this episode, we talk about safety and updates on the doc program and textbook progress. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/29124528

Quiz Bowl #2 10/30/2023

Quiz Bowl #2 This episode Johnny and I wrote up another 10 questions each and then quizzed each other. Play along and see how well you can score with this episode. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/28456187

Textbooks 10/09/2023

Textbooks In this episode we talk about textbooks. John is currently working on updating the Agriculture Mechanics Fundamentals and Applications book and we thought this would be a great topic to discuse. We ask questions like what purpose do they serve? How do we use them to design our curriculum? How do we have students use them in class? If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is or Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/28262801

Going back to school 09/18/2023

Going back to school In this episode we talk about what its like going back school. After taking some time away from being a student, how does it feel to move from the teacher role back to being a student. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/28069332

Dr. Rod 09/05/2023

Dr. Rod In this episode we get to talk to Dr. Sam Rodriguez. Dr. Rodriguez is currently an Assistant Professor in the Animal Sciences and Ag Education Department at Fresno State. Dr. Rod, as he tells his students to call him, has been in the teaching profession for 25 years and taught at the high school and community college, and now the university level. Dr. Rod currently works with the Ag Ed students and student teachers and his wide range of experience is of great value to his students. If you have questions Dr. Sam Rodriguez can be reached through his email If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27947610

Making changes to the way we teach. 08/21/2023

Making changes to the way we teach. In this episode we talk about curriculum and making changes even after 15+ years of teaching. How change can be a great thing, but can also be hard to do after you have developed a way of teaching. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27792333

Charlie Abee 07/31/2023

Charlie Abee In this episode we get to talk to Charlie Abee. Charlie is currently teaching at College of the Sequoias (COS) in the area of agriculture mechanics and specializes in ag irrigation. Charlie has been in the teaching profession for 15 years and taught high school before moving into his current role. Charlie was in the neighborhood working with some local farmers so we took the opportunity to get him on the podcast. Although Johnny and I have known Charlie for a very long time we are excited that we get to share his knowledge with all of you as well. If you have questions Charlie can be reached through his email If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27587580

Free for all 07/24/2023

Free for all In this free for all episode we talk about anything but our normal topics. Topics range from sports, fantasy teams, books, GRE, and who knows what else. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27531720

Ag Mechanics Curricular Code 07/17/2023

Ag Mechanics Curricular Code Coming out of CATA there was some discussion on Facebook about the Ag Mechanics Curricular Code. We talk about some points that were brought up and how John and myself read the code. We also offer our suggestion on what should be done going forward in the future. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27467637

CATA Week 06/25/2023

CATA Week In this episode we dicuss the week of CATA summer conference, what we are looking forward to and share some clean funny stories about past conferences. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27248310

Quiz Bowl 06/19/2023

Quiz Bowl This episode Johnny and I wrote up 10 questions each and then quizzed each other. This was really fun and you can play along too and see how you would have scored against us. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27191148

Graduation 06/12/2023

Graduation In this 103rd episode we talk about the importance of graduation and what is means for your students. Johnny also gives us a history lesson on education over the years. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/27094782

Daniel Peden 06/05/2023

Daniel Peden In this episode Daniel Peden. Daniel is currently a student at Fresno State majoring in Plant Science and soon will start the Masters program in Plant Sicence. Daniel comes to use from Turlock High School and like most of our guest was involved the the FFA program taking full advantage of that program. Daniel is somebody that is always working on something from the reasearch projects or projects in the shop. Even though he won our FUBAR award this year he is still a net postivtive to have in the shops. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/26928543

Student take over 05/29/2023

Student take over In this episode we let the students (Nick, Ayden, and John) run the show. This may be the last time we let this happen, but let us know how you think they did. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/26883807

100th Episode 05/22/2023

100th Episode Finally hit episode 100. We look back at the start of this fun little adventure we started two and half years ago. Remembering some of the best moments and guests that we have had. We are looking forward to the next 100. Thank you to all of listeners and guest that have made this podcast a success. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/26883786

What makes an expert? 05/15/2023

What makes an expert? In this episode we talk about experts. What is an expert, do you consider yourself an expert and how we feel like you can become an expert. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/26846730

Field Day Recap 05/08/2023

Field Day Recap In this episode we recap the FFA Field day and how things went, issues/problems and how much we enjoy putting them. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/26770869

Ayden Garcia 05/01/2023

Ayden Garcia In this episode Ayden Garcia. Ayden is currently a student at Fresno State majoring in Agriculture Education with an emphasis in Agrcitultural Mechanics. Ayden comes to us from Chowchilla High School were his was active in the FFA program. We have had the pleasure of not only having Ayden as a student, but also get to work with him across the yard where he is a student assistant in the maintaince shop. With his knowledge and experience we know that Ayden will make an excellent teacher. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link Check out our YouTube pages: /episode/index/show/safetyglassesrequired/id/26701644

Safety Glasses Required-From Shop to Farm

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