Ashley McDonald is the Interim Vice President of Sustainability at National Pork Board. Ashley's passion for agriculture, farming, and STEM started at a very young age and she specializes in sustainability and policy.

Ashley has a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics and a Doctor of Law (JD) from George Mason University.

Episode Notes

Ashley shares the close relationship between agriculture and STEM fields. She specializes in sustainability in the pork industry and she talks about the many facets of sustainability - including...the importance of poop! 

Science, technology, and engineering all play critical roles in agriculture which Ashley explains. She also shares how she got interested in the industry and how she comes from a background of both agriculture and engineering influences in her life. And she debunks some common myths such as the reduction of family farming in the US and how gender diverse farming truly is.

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check

Capturing Cow Farts and Burps - Using silly science, Erin engages young children in science and energy. (https://www.amazon.com/Capturing-Farts-Burps-Erin-Twamley/dp/1647648572)

Most farms are still family owned in the US. (https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2020/01/23/look-americas-family-farms)