University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

Every year, five recipients receive a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture within five different categories; lifetime achievement, technical innovation, marketing innovation, environmental stewardship , and education advocacy. On Tuesday February 21 st 2017, while in the company of close friends and family, Steve Wilder received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture for Education Advocacy. He received this award for his countless years of service and his dedication to bettering Idaho agriculture through educating the next generation of agriculturists. Steve Wilder receiving his award from Governor Butch Otter! Steve is a proud University of Idaho Alumni.   He graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in agriculture education from the Agricultural & Extension Education Department. With this degree, he has dedicated the last 37 years of his life to teaching agriculture education at Meridian High School. There, he has played an instrumental rol...

In celebration of Valentine's Day, we used an  anonymous  survey to find out what students  love most  about  being  a member of the AEE department “The professors interact like tight knit family, making an inclusive, loving environment, I’ve never been in such a welcome environment.”  “Something I enjoy each semester is the opportunity to take classes from a variety of disciplines of agriculture, I don’t have to pick only one! My perspective of agriculture has broadened significantly.” "The department has a proactive, “can-do” attitude. Have a question about getting an internship, or interested in undergraduate research? The faculty will help you attain your goals.” "Students in the AEE department are engaged in their studies and excited to pursue their future careers. It's fun to be around people who love to learn." “I appreciate the countless opportunities for professional development, like traveling to Na...

     Castleford FFA Advisor Dan Billington  shares how agricultural education strengthens a community       At the last professional development seminar that my school district held, we began by introducing ourselves. We explained what we taught and the reason we chose to teach this one certain area. I told the instructor that I chose to become an agricultural educator because I felt that it is important for students to have an understanding of where their food came from and to take pride in any piece of work that they produce, whether it is in a fabrication course or in floral design.         I grew up on my family’s beef cattle ranch in southern Idaho. At an early age I was able to see firsthand that nothing would be handed to you and that the more you worked the more that you were able to reap. I still find it very rewarding today when I have a shy naïve 8th grade student and wants nothing to do with what...

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday's famous "So God Made a Farmer" commercial, we are throwing it back to when Idaho FFA was fortunate enough to have FFA trucks featuring "So God Made a Farmer"!