Since she can remember, Lindsay McDonald has helped out with farm chores.

She grew up on a farm in Mount Vernon, Missouri, and would follow her grandmother around to feed chickens. Her father even rigged a car seat into his tractor when she was younger so she could ride along while he baled hay.

Her childhood on the farm sparked an interest that continues today. McDonald is now a sophomore studying agriculture education at Missouri State University. She plans to graduate in May 2029.

Finding her voice

She began raising pigs at 14 and showing them at 16. Rearing pigs has taught her life lessons like patience and responsibility.

“Being in charge of taking care of an animal’s quality of life shapes you as a person unlike anything else,” McDonald said.

Her effort and dedication have led to success in the ring. This summer, she earned reserve champion Yorkshire gilt at the Ozark Empire Fair with her pig, Georgia.

While raising livestock strengthened her work ethic, her involvement in Future Farmers of America (FFA) since 2021 helped McDonald discover her voice.

“In middle school, I was the quietest person you’d ever met,” she said. “And then FFA changed my life.”

This change led her to serve as a Missouri FFA state vice president for the 2025-26 term. She described it as the “coolest experience.”

Traveling across Missouri allowed her to meet members from different chapters and learn what amazing things they did.

“When I got tired from traveling, seeing the FFA members’ passion reignited my fire,” McDonald said.

Passing it on

McDonald’s decision to pursue agriculture education began at the Missouri FFA State Convention in 2022.

While walking with a student teacher, she stopped at Missouri State’s agriculture booth to speak with faculty. Their kindness inspired her to become a Bear and study agriculture education.

Since then, she has not considered another profession.

“It’s what I want to do as a career,” she said.

Her involvement with Agriculture Education on the Move, a program through Missouri Farmers Care, has reinforced that decision.

In high school, McDonald taught third graders about agriculture through the program. Now, during an annual training day at Missouri State, she helps high school students prepare to teach those lessons to the next generation of third graders.

The experience taught her that not every student has the same agricultural background. Terminology she considers second nature can be unfamiliar to those who have not grown up around livestock.

It is a perspective she hopes to carry into her future classroom.

Still learning and growing

For McDonald, Missouri State provides a quality education while remaining close to home.

“The people make the place,” McDonald said.

She values the relationships she is building with professors and fellow agriculture majors. She knows those connections will benefit her in her future career.

When the time comes to setting up her own classroom, she already knows the kind of educator she wants to become.

“I had the best ag teachers,” McDonald said. “They were so supportive, and they pushed me to become my best self. I want to do the same for my future students.”

Learn more about agriculture education