By Gary Joiner

The biggest game of the year is just days away. About 115 million folks—myself included—will turn on the TV for Super Bowl 50.

The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will battle it out on the field.

But Texas chicken growers will be among the big winners Sunday. Because the food of choice for many is chicken wings. And a lot of them. More than 1.6 billion chicken wing portions will fly through the fingers of football fans across the country. That’s about 14 wings per viewer.

By Gene Hall

It’s always a mistake to paint a mythological picture of farm life.  The Norman Rockwell image never really existed.  However, there are pieces of my childhood on the farm that my children never experienced, nor will my now three-month-old granddaughter. Christmas is one of those times.

My Christmas memories are of the farm because that’s where I grew up.  Our 235 acres were nestled in among walls of tall pines in deep East Texas, in Newton County.  We raised cattle and hay and for a time tried both the dairy and the hog business.  Christmas was never an extravagant affair, but my Mom and Dad always managed to make it special.

By Michelle Hochstein

Confident and capable. Healthy and knowledgeable. FFA helped shape me into the person I am today. It opened many doors for me. Oh, and did I mention, made me realize my calling? I participated in agricultural communications, a career development event (CDE), hosted by the FFA. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to pursue a degree in it.

FFA has been positively influencing future generations, like me, for more than 85 years. Here are 10 things I believe your children will gain by getting involved in this program.

By Mike Barnett

Family farm. Two words Americans love. With good reason.

Family means many things. Loving. Caring. Nurturing.

All apply to the family farmers I know. Too bad there are many misconceptions about what family farms are and aren’t.

Could be many of us are far removed from farm life. Some think of family farms as idyllic—a small place where the sun always shines, with chickens and cows, a patch of corn and a vegetable garden.

By Gene Hall

The lesser prairie chicken is one lucky bird. Yes, it’s endangered, but the survival of this wild bird species has crossed paths with the economic interests of some and the private property rights of others.

If the strain of environmentalism that runs through your veins is of the absolutely pure variety, you might prefer total altruism. If, however, you are more practical, you understand that species get saved when it’s in someone’s interest to make it happen.