University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

The University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences recognizes an outstanding individual each year who has brought honor and recognition to the college. Awards are presented yearly ad more than one may be given. After receiving nominations, the CALS Alumni Board selects the recipients. For the Alumni Achievement Award, nominees must be a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, must have a career in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, or a related field, graduated within the past 15 years, and must have made an exceptional career and/or community service record thus far.  Pat Dixon received his B.S. in Agricultural Education in 2005 from the University of Idaho. Born and raised on a small potato and cattle farm in Idaho Falls, Dixon has always had a hand in agriculture. He spent his childhood caring for cattle and spending tie with family on the farm. "I worked on the farm as a hydro aluminum transfer technician throu...

Nate Kieffer is a Junior studying Agricultural Education from Reardan, Washington. Nate was exposed to agriculture at an early age; he grew up and continues to go home to his family’s farm and ranch in Rearden. The time spent on the family’s black angus operation is what kick-started his  passion for agriculture.  In high school he became active in his local FFA Chapter where he ended up serving as vice president. Nate competed at the National FFA Convention in Ag Issues when he was a senior. The positive experiences he had with FFA and his passion for agriculture were the main influence in why he chose Agricultural Education as his degree. Nate is very involved on campus and academically. He is a member of the Beta Phi chapter of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity; he has served as VNR of Finance. Nate is an American Indian Scholarship Recipient and an American Indian Scholar.  His passion towards FFA is still prevalent, as he is currently a Washington FFA Emerge facilitato...

Olivia Murphy-Sweet is originally from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and attended Penn State where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in International Agriculture. Olivia was a military kid, so she spent her childhood traveling throughout the United States and other parts of the world. These experiences combined with an opportunity to travel to Belize during her undergraduate education helped her realize she wanted to join the Peace Corps. Olivia lived and worked in a rural village, Botou, in Tambacounda Senegal where she worked as a Sustainable Agricultural Agent. Olivia completed four grants during her time with the Peace Corp: a waterline installation project to a remote part of the village that was not receiving any water, Michele Sylvester Scholarship which provided 26 young women the opportunity to further their education, a computer project that provided five laptops to help create a learning center, and Botou School Wall project that aided i...