You Can’t Do It All—So Let’s Focus on What Matters Most

When I started teaching ag, I thought I had to do it all.

I thought I needed to run every contest, go to every event, try every idea I saw on Facebook, and basically build a program that looked like every other “successful” one out there. Spoiler: that doesn’t work — and it burned me out completely.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Where you teach matters.

Who you serve matters.

And trying to serve everyone? Serves no one.

I’ve taught in the smallest county in Kentucky — where we didn’t have a lot of big production based ag industries nearby, but we had steel mills, a few small tobacco farms, 1 large-ish produce farm, the Ohio River, and a NASCAR track.

Later, I taught back home in an area that wasn't really Central Kentucky nor was it Eastern Kentucky, where cattle farms were around almost every turn. Then I shifted to Central Kentucky...the area known for thoroughbreds and bourbon. And now, I live in Northeastern Kentucky — surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest, logging operations, a fish hatchery, and one of the largest tomato greenhouses in the country.

Each of those places is wildly different. Different industries. Different kids. Different needs.

And yet — so many teachers (myself included, at one time) try to build the same program everywhere they go.

The truth? You can’t copy/paste someone else’s ag program and expect it to thrive in your own community. You have to know your people. You have to build something that fits your school, your students, and the unique slice of ag industry that surrounds you.

But here’s the hard part…

When you care deeply, it’s hard to say no. When you’re passionate, every opportunity feels important. And when you want to do right by your students, it feels selfish to scale back.

But let me offer this reframe: You’re not saying no forever. You’re saying not right now — because it doesn’t serve the main thing.

“Keep the main thing, the main thing.” -Steven Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This quote has been a game-changer for me. It’s become a filter I use when I’m feeling pulled in a hundred different directions — when I feel guilty turning something down or unsure if I’m doing enough.

Because when you know your mission, your values, and who your program is really here to serve — it gets easier to make decisions.

You stop chasing every shiny idea. You stop saying yes out of guilt. And you start building something that actually moves the needle forward.

That’s what July's ('25) PD challenge inside the Community Garden is all about.

• Getting clear on your local ag industry and school demographics

• Defining your program’s target audience

• Writing a mission + vision that actually reflects your students and community

• Creating SMART goals that align with the direction you want to grow

And yes, I’ve included bonuses like planning tools you can use and a PowerPoint to walk your FFA officers through this same strategic planning process. Because this isn’t just about us as teachers — it’s about the leadership we’re modeling, too.

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels…If you’re tired of saying yes to everything and feeling like nothing’s working…If you want to build a program that reflects your people and values…

The Community Garden is here for you.

Inside the Roots Tier, you’ll get a new PD challenge every month — complete with an audio deep dive, self guided workbook, planning tools, and a certificate you can submit for PD credit. (Plus exclusive access to newly released resources for your agriculture classrooms!)

Each one is self-paced and designed to help you not only fight burnout — but build a program that thrives.

Let July be the month you stop trying to do it all.

Let this be the moment you commit to keeping the main thing, the main thing.

Join us inside of the Community Garden now, and let's start building sustainable programs together. Click here to get started.