FarmHER Saydee Longhurst Shares Agriculture’s Story from Idaho to Italy - RFD-TV
News
Saydee Longhurst’s journey showcases how farmers and advocates can bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture, share farm life, and introduce young people to diverse industry careers.
From Idaho Fields to Agricultural Education
Longhurst, an FFA alumna and former Idaho FFA state president, leverages social media to demystify farming and highlight the vast opportunities across the agriculture industry. She will be a guest on this week’s episode of Dirt Diaries with Kirbe Schnoor, airing tomorrow.
Longhurst earned her degree in agricultural education at Utah State University, where she participated in a unique program allowing her to student-teach at an agricultural high school near Milan, Italy.
“Utah State University, where I went to school, had a special program where we worked with agricultural high schools in Italy,” she shares. “I was placed at an agricultural high school in Milan, just outside of Milan, and taught about alfalfa production, comparing Idaho and Italian alfalfa production.”
Back home, her family’s farm in southeastern Idaho focuses on alfalfa and wheat cultivation. This year’s harvest, aided by favorable weather and ample water, wrapped up smoothly a couple of weeks before the interview.
“We’re excited to be able to park the balers and be done with that,” Longhurst noted.
With harvest complete, the family is now preparing for winter by working the ground and planting winter wheat.
Navigating Farm Pressures
Like many farm families, Longhurst’s operation grapples with uncertainties, including input costs, energy prices, and commodity markets.
“Stress is part of farming, with the ever-changing nature of input costs, energy prices, and commodity markets,” she acknowledges.
Remember that managing these pressures involves focusing on what can be controlled, staying informed, and cultivating resilience.