Growing On Podcast

Presented by Georgia Farm Bureau

"Growing On" is a show produced by the Georgia Farm Bureau to discuss agriculture related issues and topics to help promote and advocate for Georgia agriculture as well as educate consumers about the production of food and traditional farming practices. 

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Episode 51: Ranger Nick: Inspiring Curiosity, Teaching with Animals, and Reconnecting People to Nature

On this episode of the Growing On Podcast, host John Holcomb sits down with Dr. Nick Fuhrman—better known to many viewers as “Ranger Nick.” A longtime contributor to The Farm Monitor and Associate Dean at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Nick shares the story behind his passion for teaching, wildlife, and inspiring others to connect with the natural world.

From growing up in Maryland with aquariums full of turtles and snakes to becoming a professor who brings live animals into the classroom, Nick’s career has always centered on education and curiosity. In this conversation, he explains how animals—from snakes and turtles to birds of prey—help students overcome public speaking anxiety, build confidence, and rediscover their connection to nature.

Nick also reflects on his journey as a first-generation college student, the mentors who helped shape his career, and how a simple opportunity eventually led him to UGA—where he’s been helping students grow for nearly two decades. Along the way, he shares stories from the classroom, including a memorable student who dressed as a turtle and discovered a passion for teaching special needs students.

The conversation also explores Nick’s popular “Ranger Nick” segment on The Farm Monitor and how environmental education and agriculture naturally intersect. Whether he’s teaching college students, filming TV segments, or taking classes into the woods to listen for owls, Nick’s mission is the same: spark curiosity and help people see the natural world in a whole new way.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• How wildlife and animals can transform the way students learn

• Why communication skills are becoming more important than ever

• The surprising ways nature inspires curiosity in today’s students

• The story behind Ranger Nick and his long-running Farm Monitor segment

• Why reconnecting people to the outdoors matters more than ever

If you’ve ever wondered how a turtle, snake, or owl can inspire learning—or why enthusiasm is one of the most powerful teaching tools—this episode is for you.