University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

Islands in the stream – that is what we are……Are we? By: Ben Meyer  Ben Meyer,  Western Region LPS Specialist at National FFA Organization “Where’s the Ag classroom” asks a visitor to the school.   “Around back of the school, keep going past the gym and you’ll see it towards the back campus” answers the front desk receptionist.   How common is this response?   How applicable is this to the Ag shops, Ag classrooms, and Ag buildings that you know?   More importantly, how often do we in agricultural education talk about our programs in this light?     There’s nothing wrong with “being around back” in terms of the physical location of our programs.   Being located in a building at the back or separated from the main school allows for some great hands-on learning.   Operating a loud shop environment, demonstration lessons with bovine reproductive tracts, and any number teaching experiences work well “around back” as these might not go over well sandwiched in-between the English

Meet Renee Hanson . . .  By: Tanner White I would like to introduce Renee Hanson, our new Office Administrator for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.  Renee hails from Genesee, Idaho where she lives with her husband and three daughters. She comes from a farming family and her and her husband currently run a small cattle operation in Genesee. Where h er and her family are active members in the community, supporting the town of Genesee.   Please join in welcoming Renee to the Idaho Agricultural Education family. Stop by her office in the Agricultural Education building and say a hello! She can't wait to meet the members of our University of Idaho family. 

College of Agriculture, Life, Science Fights Hunger in Idaho By: Tanner White  Beginning March 9, 2015 the College of Agriculture, Life, Science begins a week long food drive, to combat hunger and increase awareness of the growing epidemic of food insecurity in Idaho. This food drive is intended to not only collect food and monetary donations for the local food banks. But rather educate students and faculty about the increasing problem many families face securing wholesome and healthy food in Whitman and Latah county's.  To learn more about the impact of your donations and the positive impact social media can play in increasing support for our local food banks in Idaho. Please, attend the guest lecture from Jim Miller, the Director of Sales and Marketing from CHS. 

Teach Ag. High School Tours!!! By: Anna Pratt & David Stitt The Collegiate FFA Professional Development Committee is now accepting applications for two of the three separate tours of Agricultural Education Programs in our region. These tours are designed as an opportunity see how Agriculture Education programs are taught throughout Washington and Idaho.    Trip 1: Eastern/Central WA Tour Thursday, March 12 – Friday, March 13 (Applications due Tuesday, February 24 at NOON.) Trip 2: The Coastal Tour Wednesday, April 22 – Friday, April 24 (Applications due Tuesday, March 31 at NOON.) Trip 3: Joint State OR/WA Tour Thursday, April 30 – Friday, May 1 (Applications due Tuesday, April 14 at NOON.) All dues-paid members of CFFA are encouraged to apply. We hope to accommodate each student who applies, however, the Professional Development Committee will be economical and will try to maximize participants for hotel rooms and vehicle resources. Questions, conc