​Various industries use the backhoe, backhoe loader, or loader backhoe, a versatile piece of heavy-duty equipment for excavation tasks. With a 20 to 100-horsepower engine, a backhoe can dig depths of 12 to 14 feet.

Backhoes feature working implements on a tractor's front and back, enabling them to perform double duty. As construction equipment, they can handle many tasks, including uprooting trees and moving material and debris around a work site. Every backhoe loader has three main parts - the tractor, the loader, and the backhoe. The tractor sits between the loader at the front and the backhoe at the rear. 

Beyond its construction uses, a backhoe is relatively easy to maneuver. It can navigate rough terrain and is suitable for construction tasks such as backfilling, digging, loading, and trenching. It is also ideal for agriculture, landscaping, and paving. In agriculture, it can dig small ponds and trenches and even uproot trees.

When buying a backhoe, consider the various sizes and power levels available. Evaluate factors such as bucket capacity, digging depth, and the types of available attachments to ensure the backhoe meets the project's specific needs. Then, balance it with the machine's cost.

Finally, anyone operating a backhoe needs adequate training and extensive knowledge of critical safety measures. A commercial driver’s license is only necessary when transporting the machine from one place to another; otherwise, anyone may operate a backhoe.

​Conservation has become an important subject in modern America, which has lost an average of 1.8 million acres of farmable land annually since 2015. The American Farmland Trust reports a figure closer to three million acres, on top of the tens of thousands of acres of coastal wetlands lost annually. There are several ways to protect land in America, including conservation easements.

A conservation agreement is a legal agreement made between the United States government and private landowners to limit land use. The specifics of these conservation-focused agreements vary depending on several factors, including the property owner’s intentions for the land and the local environment’s conservation status. Common examples include prohibiting landowners from draining wetlands or turning grasslands into cropland.

Conservation easements provide many benefits as a legal tool for protecting American lands. The easement is legally binding but allows landowners to retain property rights and receive economic benefits from the land. An easement does not necessarily mean that lands will be open to public use. Individuals can take advantage of additional tax benefits if they donate an easement.

​Ranching in the United States dates back to 1658, and ranchers have always faced unique challenges. Thus, ranchers have devised creative solutions to overcome them. Some age-old challenges persist, such as droughts and critters, and new ones have emerged, such as a disconnect between producers and consumers.

Droughts impact ranchers since they can lead to insufficient pasture. The situation has pushed ranchers to shuttle between California and Nevada, especially after wildfires burned several acres of grass. Lack of water has also led to less hay.

In addition, the presence of critters makes ranching challenging. The increase in their numbers has led to attacks on cows. In addition, hungry cats, bears, and coyotes attack herds because they continue searching for food. The starved animals may find their way to the ranchers’ properties and attack cattle, causing financial loss and distress for ranchers.

Furthermore, fewer processing facilities have made it more difficult for ranchers to harvest their animals. The lack of facilities makes them more crowded and economically challenging for ranchers.

​Now a popular sport in many parts of the world, rodeo has its roots in the Wild West and the American cattle industry. It all began in the 16th century with the arrival of Spanish-Mexican settlers in the southwest of what is today America and the introduction of cattle and horses in the region. The Mexican vaqueros introduced many elements of rodeo, including roping, riding, and branding.

However, it was in the 19th century that rodeo emerged as a competition. At first, cowboys would showcase their skills in handling livestock, engaging in friendly competitions to prove their riding, roping, and other skills. These informal contests gradually evolved into more organized events, with the first known rodeo taking place in Deer Trail, Colorado, in 1869.

By the late 1800s, rodeos attracted large audiences, and notable events like the Cheyenne Frontier Days, established in 1897, became annual traditions. Rodeo rules and associations were established in the early 20th century, including the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which helped standardize competitions and promote the sport nationally.

As rodeo gained popularity, it expanded beyond the American West, with events held across the United States and internationally. Today, rodeo is a global sport featuring various events, including bull riding, bronc riding, and steer wrestling. The evolution of rodeo from its Wild West beginnings to a major sporting event highlights its enduring appeal and cultural significance.

​Founded in 1928 by a group of young farmers, Future Farmers of America (FFA) is a dynamic youth organization focused on agricultural education, leadership development, and career preparation. It provides hands-on experiences that help members discover their potential and excel in various career fields such as farming, medicine, government, veterinary, financial, and education.

FFA operates at three levels, including local chapters, state associations, and the national organization, with leadership and governance structures at each level. FFA emphasizes diversity and equal opportunity for its members, leadership, and staff.

The organization is financially supported through sponsorships and individual donations, and each member contributes $7 in national dues annually. FFA continues to prepare the next generation for the challenges and opportunities in agriculture and other fields through its diverse range of events and educational programs, including FFA degrees.

FFA degrees are significant achievements in a member's journey and education within the organization. These degrees are earned at different stages of a member's FFA involvement, from middle school to high school graduation. Each degree represents a member's commitment to FFA activities in the community and school. Earning these degrees is a key part of the FFA experience and helps members' academic and career pursuits.

There are five types of FFA degrees: Discovery, Greenhand, Chapter, State, and the prestigious American FFA Degree. Regarded as the pinnacle of FFA achievements, the American FFA Degree is a distinction granted to high school graduates who have showcased exceptional leadership, performed at least 50 hours of community service, achieved outstanding academic accomplishments, and completed Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs.

Students enrolled in FFA degree programs are encouraged to have a higher level of engagement within their schools, chapters, and communities, fostering new experiences and recognition. These programs also serve as a motivational factor for academic excellence. Achieving the American FFA Degree requires meeting specific qualifications outlined in the National FFA Constitution.

Qualifications include receiving a state FFA degree, maintaining continuous membership for three years, and completing post-secondary agricultural education and an SAE program. The final step to applying for an FFA degree involves submitting an application to the National FFA organization following state association approval. The National FFA Board selects FFA degree recipients of Directors at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

Students interested in earning an FFA degree are encouraged to create a plan for fulfilling their degree requirements, including identifying the agricultural education courses they'll take during high school. They are also advised to explore various career paths to select an SAE project that aligns with their desired field, allowing them to develop relevant career skills. It's essential that students maintain a record of their involvement, accomplishments, community service contributions, and SAE projects for future reference.

FFA degrees hold significant value as they can positively impact the ongoing educational endeavors and prospective careers of students who earn them. Possessing an FFA degree enables students to foster essential skills, gain exposure to unique experiences, deepen self-awareness, and enhance their resume with employment and entrepreneurial experience. The degree can also serve as a stepping stone to securing a role as an FFA officer.

​Land conservation is one of the many initiatives being taken to protect the planet's ecosystem. Landowners have the opportunity to preserve their property's natural beauty while contributing to environmental conservation. This can be achieved through a conservation easement plan.

The National Conservation Easement Database (NCED) defines a conservation easement as a voluntary, legal agreement that permanently limits the uses of the land to protect its conservation values. The agreement is made between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization or government entity. The agreement guarantees that the land is managed sustainably or remains in its natural state while the landowner retains ownership.

The conservation easement depends on the particulars of the specific property, which means that easements vary. Landowners agree to restrictions on certain types of development or land use to protect the land’s scenic, ecological, or historical value. Common easement terms include limitations on development, mining, grading, or dumping on the property. They also involve protecting the natural resources considered important in conserving the land.

Conservation easements offer several advantages, including tax deductions. Agreeing to a conservation easement can result in federal income tax deductions and potential state and local tax benefits. This can help landowners reduce their overall tax liability.

Conservation easements can also play a crucial role in estate planning. Reducing a property's appraised value can lower the potential estate tax burden, ensuring that the land stays within the family without being sold to cover tax liabilities.

Easements often require landowners to follow land management plans that promote sustainable land use. This encourages responsible stewardship of the property, ensuring it remains ecologically healthy.

Another benefit of a conservation easement is preserving the land's natural beauty. Easements help protect these scenic landscapes for generations to come. The preserved land also benefits the community economically. Conservation easements contribute to local economies by preserving open spaces that draw tourists, nature enthusiasts, and outdoor recreationists, thereby boosting income for neighboring businesses.

Many conservation easements protect critical habitats for wildlife. Landowners play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity by conserving these areas and ensuring that native species continue to thrive.

Landowners who establish conservation easements also create a lasting legacy within their communities. They leave behind a tangible gift to future generations, preserving the character and natural resources of the region.

Landowners follow several steps to establish a conservation easement, starting with identifying a conservation partner. Landowners should identify a qualified conservation organization or government entity with expertise in conservation easements. In some cases, private land trusts or conservation agencies may approach a landowner, requesting that they donate their land for conservation.

A professional appraiser will then assess the property's value before and after the easement is granted, helping determine the potential tax benefits. After the appraisal, landowners and their chosen conservation partner negotiate the easement terms, including what can and cannot be done on the property. Once an agreement has been reached, legal experts draft the conservation easement agreement, ensuring it complies with local, state, and federal laws. Execution of the easement then follows after both parties sign the legally binding document. After that, landowners can claim their tax benefits per federal, state, and local regulations.

​The word "rodeo" evokes images of daring feats on horseback, wild bulls, and fearless cowboys showcasing their skills and courage. Born within the cattle industry of the American West, rodeo has evolved from a practical way of life into a modern sport.

The origins of rodeo in America date to the late 18th century when Spanish vaqueros and Mexican charros (cowboys) brought their cattle-handling traditions to North America. These skilled horsemen managed cattle, and their techniques laid the foundation for rodeo events.

The 1800s marked a significant period for rodeo as the era of the American cowboy took shape. Settlers moving into Texas blended Anglo and Spanish-Mexican cultures, leading to the rise of the Southwest cattle industry. Abundant wild cattle, horses, and Eastern demand for beef after the Civil War made ranching a lucrative business.

Range cowboys found adventure and independence in herding cattle, with large ranches flourishing in Texas. However, the fencing of open ranges in the late 1880s transformed the cattle industry, leading to the emergence of rodeo events as social occasions like Fourth of July celebrations, which allowed cowboys to showcase their skills.

Rodeo contests slowly grew from local challenges to annual events, driven by the seasonal nature of cowboy work. William F. Cody's (Buffalo Bill) wild-west show in 1882 in North Platte, Nebraska, was one of the early instances of showcasing rodeo skills. By the 1890s, the rodeo was a popular spectator event in the West.

From its early days, rodeo featured steer roping, bronc riding, bull riding, and calf roping. Steer roping is an event where a rider on horseback catches a running steer with a lasso and then dismounts to tie three of the steer's legs together. Calf roping is similar, but the rider must catch and immobilize a calf. Bronc and bull riding consists of riding a bucking horse (bronco) or a bull for eight seconds.

Historical events include the first recorded "bronco-busting contest" in Colorado Territory in 1869 and rodeos in Pecos, Texas, in 1883 and Prescott, Arizona, in 1888. The establishment of the Frontier Days event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1897 marked a significant milestone in rodeo history. Frontier Days attracted a broad audience and set the stage for developing the professional rodeo circuit.

Later, indoor rodeos emerged, with Fort Worth hosting the first in 1917. By the late 1920s, rodeos became annual occurrences in parts of the East. Furthermore, the Madison Square Garden Rodeo in New York City and other similar events brought national attention to the sport.

As rodeo gained popularity, it intersected with the phenomenon of Wild West shows. Entrepreneurs like Buffalo Bill Cody organized touring spectacles that brought the excitement of the frontier to audiences across the United States and even Europe. These shows featured rodeo events alongside dramatized portrayals of cowboy life, Native American culture, and sharpshooting displays.

The Wild West shows contributed to the romanticized image of the American West and introduced rodeo to new audiences, both nationally and internationally. While the shows often embellished and exaggerated aspects of cowboy life, they shaped the popular perception of rodeo.

The early 20th century saw the professionalization of rodeo, with cowboys and organizers seeking more formalized rules, regulations, and competitions. In 1929, the Rodeo Association of America established standardized rules for rodeo events. This marked a pivotal moment in rodeo history as it laid the groundwork for the modern rodeo circuit and the establishment of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1936.

The PRCA now counts over 5,000 active competitors and numerous events annually. The sport, particularly bull riding, saw significant growth in recent years, solidifying its place in American culture.