Jodi Helmer

1 month ago | ffa.org | Jodi Helmer

Although Gina Tran had no exposure to agriculture while growing up in Orlando, Fla., she had an affinity for animals. In high school, Tran signed up for a veterinary assisting class and was invited to join the University FFA Chapter. Tran loved the idea of leaving campus for field trips to local agricultural enterprises, but was unsure about joining FFA at first.

1 month ago | medscape.com | Jodi Helmer

While many nurses work set schedules with occasional overtime, Martha Mendez, a registered nurse (RN) in El Centro, California, prefers a more flexible approach to patient care. It’s the same way an Uber driver decides when they want to turn on their app and drive clients. Mendez signs up for shifts days — and sometimes hours — in advance and works for multiple health systems to care for patients all over Southern California. She is one of a growing number of nurses who have joined the gig economy.

2 months ago | ffa.org | Jodi Helmer

Summit Browning didn’t know much about coffee when he started S Bar B Cowboy Coffee in 2022, but he’d taken enough business classes and participated in numerous FFA competitions to feel confident following an entrepreneurial path. The Gardiner FFA Alumnus from Montana used his college fund and the proceeds from selling dirt bikes and snowmobiles to launch the business. He purchased a roaster and other essential supplies, investing almost $40,000 before he sold his first pound of coffee.

2 months ago | foodprint.org | Kristen Link |Jodi Helmer

You know the stats: Americans toss almost 60 billion tons of food annually — more than any other nation — and most of it goes to the landfill where it makes up 22 percent of municipal solid waste and generates 11 percent of global methane emissions. Concerns about food waste might be the main reason you scrape leftovers into the compost bin or recycle overripe bananas, moldy bread and spent eggshells via a municipal composting program.

2 months ago | petful.com | Jodi Helmer

Living with chronic allergies can be miserable for dogs. When diet changes, medicated baths, topical treatments and medications aren’t enough to make your dog feel better, allergy shots for dogs could be the answer. Dog allergy shots are effective. Research shows that 60 percent dogs who get the shots, called immunotherapy, got relief from dog allergy symptoms like scratching, licking, coughing or has diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss or recurring ear infections.