University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

by Maggie Elliot CFFA's Executive Team bowling  In September, students at the CALS Welcome Back picnic pointed to clubs as a key element of their college experience. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers a diverse array of organizations to be involved in. Students can compete in debates focused on agricultural topics, fit and show cattle, learn and educate others about nutrition, or explore different aspects of the dairy industry by participating in tours. Professional growth isn’t the only element clubs offer, as the community atmosphere is key. “I know people now. I can say ‘hi’ walking around campus or chat with someone before class starts,” said Megan Follett, a freshman studying food science. “It’s only been a month but already I’ve met so many people.” McKenna Ellinghaus looks for an opportunity at professional development. An agricultural education major, she strives to gain skills and enhance her networking abilities by attendin...

by Maggie Elliot  Maggie Elliot, Logan Zepp, and Morgan Howard at the 2016 New Century Farmers Conference The challenges surrounding modern agriculture are daunting. Producers must be mindful of the sustainability of their practices, taking into account soil, water, and air quality. They must produce in an era with shifting precipitation patterns and climate changes. They must keep an eye on emerging technologies to maximize the efficiency of their production, and market their commodity to a global economy of consumers, with many who have been removed from the food and fiber system for generations. The New Century Farmers program, administered by the National FFA Organization seeks to expose young adults engaged in production agriculture to the wealth of resources available to producers and provide insight into the tumultuous profession. Myself and two other vandals, Logan Zepp and fellow ASCL major Morgan Howard joined 30 other students in Iowa in July for th...

Meridian Ag Instructor Liz Russell shares how agricultural  education  not only grows student leaders,  but empowers    the surrounding community to be Ag literate.        A colleague of mine recently asked me for a quote on ‘Why I am an ag teacher/FFA advisor’.  Here is what I replied: “I teach ag for every kid that doesn’t get to grow up on a farm.  Ag classes and the FFA organization are the next best way to become the person you need to be.”  I was the lucky Idaho kid who ‘got to’ grow up on a dairy farm.  We milked ~150 Holsteins twice a day, raised our replacement heifers and fed out our steers for the beef market, and farmed ~350 acres of corn, alfalfa hay and barley for cattle feed on family-supplied labor.  I learned from an early age the value of hard work, the pride of increased responsibility, and the benefits of being punctual and flexible.  I was enthused to follow in m...

Why is Agricultural Education important, and how is it a fulfilling career?       My name is Tyler Renz, and I am a 5th year instructor at Elma High School, in Elma, WA. Agriculture education as an entity is currently in a precarious position, such as the rest of education among many states across the country. There is a drastic need for new high quality educators to fill increasingly vacant positions. This sounds like a relatively simple task to accomplish, find someone with an agriculture background, get them certified, and put them in a classroom. Now this may work in certain circumstances but in the vast majority of situations it takes a certain type of individual to bring the passion and dedication it takes to run a successful program. Some people hang their success on the number of banners hanging on the wall, or the quality of projects leaving through the shop doors, I believe success lies in the students we send out in the world.     ...