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...

Townsend Ag Instructor Jemma Morrow shares the rewards of starting a new FFA chapter I grew up in 4-H with my sister. We had small animals including chickens and rabbits. When I was in the 8th grade, students from the Agricultural Center came to recruit students for the Ag Program the following year. I was really interested so I signed up for the class. As a sophomore I got really involved with Career Development Events and attending FFA Meetings. My passion for agriculture and FFA grew quickly. At the beginning of my senior year, I knew I wanted to pursue Agricultural Education and I applied at the University of Idaho. My four years there allowed me to meet teachers around the state of Idaho and start to network. I am so lucky to have had that experience. Once I graduated, I accepted the job in Townsend, Montana, starting a brand new program. I was glad I got to see what Idaho Ag Ed was like and mix my experiences to create the program that I am at. ...

by Mary Kate Myers          Meranda Small is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a BS in Animal Science and MS in Agricultural Education and Extension. She is currently working as the Oneida County Extension Educator.             Before she was working as an Extension Educator, Meranda spent a year working as an intern for Agri Beef Co. while completing her graduate degree. This experience gave her a great understanding of the beef industry. Now working professionally with the University of Idaho as the Extension Educator in Oneida Country, her responsibilities have her focused on Livestock Education and 4-H Youth Development. Meranda is in her sophomore year as Extension Faculty, and has had the opportunity to work with colleagues in putting together agriculture based programming such as Livestock Day Camps for 4-H and FFA youth involved in livestock, Cowboy & Beef School...

With all of the possible careers surrounding students invested in agriculture, finding the right fit may seem overwhelming. Here are a few words from guest blogger Brad Griff, who operates out of Boise as a congressional staffer for Idaho Representative Raul Labrador. Represenative Raul Labrador I’m sure you’ve often wondered what to do with your degree after you’ve graduated. Seven short years ago, I was in your shoes, wondering what to do with my newly minted political science degree from the University of Idaho.   I’d like to share with you my career path as just one example of many opportunities for students interested in agriculture.   Growing up on a fourth generation family farm, I have always loved agriculture. In many ways, it defines who I am. From an early age, I was also drawn to politics. As a 6-year-old, I remember watching the 1992 Presidential debates with my parents, fascinated by the entire process. Many years later, I graduated from the Univ...