From Dairy Barns to Classrooms – Heather Young on Teaching Agriculture and Building Confidence
Dairygalval
In this inspiring episode of the Pull Up a Bale podcast, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) discussing Building Confidence with Heather Young, an instructional assistant professor at the University of Florida who grew up on a multi-generational dairy farm in New York.
In this inspiring episode of the Pull Up a Bale podcast, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) discusses Building Confidence with Heather Young, an instructional assistant professor at the University of Florida who grew up on a multi-generational dairy farm in New York.
This conversation is powered by the 1st American Dairy XPO, happening November 5–6 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Vermont—where you can grab a free breakfast, explore over 200 dairy innovation exhibits, meet Olympian and dairy producer Elle St. Pierre, and take in the Dairy Delivers Classroom. Learn more and grab your discount coupon or pre-XPO tickets at AmericanDairyXPO.com.
Pull Up a Bale Podcast is hosted by dairy farmer, homeschooling mom, and agvocate Val Lavigne. This podcast invites farmers, ranchers, educators, and everyday rural changemakers to pull up a bale and share what’s really going on, the challenges, the purpose, the grit, and the heart behind the work. From legacy and leadership to motherhood, mental health, and the power of storytelling, this show is a seat at the table for voices that often go unheard — and it’s all about building community through conversation. Listen to Pull Up a Bale Podcast now on your favorite podcast player or watch on YouTube!
From Dairy Barns to Classrooms – Heather Young on Teaching Agriculture and Building Confidence
From Dairy Barns to Classrooms -Heather Young on Teaching Agriculture and Building Confidence
In this inspiring episode of the Pull Up a Bale podcast, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) discussing Building Confidence with Heather Young, an instructional assistant professor at the University of Florida who grew up on a multi-generational dairy farm in New York. This conversation is powered by the 1st American Dairy XPO, happening November 5–6 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Vermont—where you can grab a free breakfast, explore over 200 dairy innovation exhibits, meet Olympian and dairy producer Elle St. Pierre, and take in the Dairy Delivers Classroom. Learn more and grab your discount coupon or pre-XPO tickets at AmericanDairyXPO.com.
Heather shares her journey from the barn to the classroom, reflecting on how her roots in dairy farming shaped her work ethic, confidence, and approach to teaching. Growing up on a farm taught her that every problem has a solution—a lesson she now passes on to her students as they learn to think critically about agriculture and food systems.
Throughout the episode, Val and Heather discuss the power of experiential learning. Heather helps her students connect their education to the real-world food chain. Heather also opens up about developing public speaking and self-confidence. These are vital skills for those in both agriculture and academia. The message is clear: whether you’re milking cows or mentoring students, persistence and passion go hand in hand.
Tune in to hear how Heather bridges the gap between rural life and higher education, empowering the next generation to see farming not just as a job, but as a way of life.
Listen now at PullUpABale.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
Listen now atwww.pullupabale.com or wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend who loves agriculture stories!
Whether you’re in the barn, in the cab, or taking a break between chores, you’ll feel right at home.
Want to start sharing your own ag story? Visit dairygalval.com join the email list and grab Val’s free download: “Top 10 Ideas for Sharing Your Story.”
On this week’s episode of the Pull Up A Bale Podcast, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) sits down with California dairy farmer Justin Leyendekker, known on Instagram as @jfley1287. Justin brings a powerful blend of family legacy, innovation, and agricultural passion to the mic as he shares the story behind his 2,000-cow operation and the meaning behind the memorable name, Hoppy Cows Dairy.
In this episode of Pull Up a Bale Podcast, host Val Lavigne sits down with Samantha Allen to talk Farming, Flowers, Family and Faith. Samantha is the farmer, mom and creative force behind Lane House Florals.
Listen now at PullUpABale.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
Want to start sharing your own ag story? Visit dairygalval.com join the email list and grab Val’s free download: “Top 10 Ideas for Sharing Your Story.”
