University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

The College of Agricultural and Life Science has  many staff and faculty   working hard  to foster a quality student experience.  We have chosen to launch a series highlighting the CALS Academic Programs Office,  starting with the Assistant Director of Recruitment, Audra Cochran.

by Maggie Elliot Each year the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences recognizes a student organization providing outstanding professional development, leadership, and service opportunities to members.   Monday, April 23 rd Collegiate FFA received the honor of being Club of the Year at the College of Agricultural and Life Science Awards Banquet. From touring high school programs across the Pacific Northwest to the Teach Ag Championship, members have a diverse array of channels to grow as professionals. Service projects are a priority for the organization, which seeks to maintain a presence in the community by donating blankets to Gritman Medical Center, raising money for Heifer International, and routinely cleaning up a section of Highway 8. “Collegiate FFA is a fun learning lab for students at the University of Idaho because members plan and implement events as part of CFFA that build skills they’ll use in their personal and professional lives.” said advisor...

By Maggie Elliot Visiting the universitiy's botanical garden  Eight students and 2 faculty members from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences undertook a study abroad trip to Guadalajara, Mexico over spring break. I had the pleasure of joining the team of Vandals to explore agriculture in the region surrounding the city of Guadalajara.  Guadalajara is a city in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Agriculture is a primary source of employment in Jalisco, as the state produces a fifth of the entire nation’s dairy, poultry, and eggs, and is at the heart of the tequila industry. The trip was operated in conjunction with the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, and we interacted with students daily as they drove us to our locations. We visited food processing plants, a dairy, research facilities, a hydroponic nursery, and a tequila distillery. A recurring theme of our visit was the adaption of regional agriculturists to climate change, as Jalisco’s pr...

by Maggie Elliot A visit to Zenner Farm Photo Credit: Bill Loftus     German students pursuing master’s degrees in geography  visited the Pacific Northwest on a late August field trip, stopping in the Palouse to learn about the area. This meeting offered an opportunity for both University of Idaho and University of Kiel students to learn about each others' agriculture. Located in northern Germany about 60 miles from Denmark, the students were accustomed to fields of winter wheat and corn grown in the region, which includes dense forests, rivers and mountains. In comparison, the students regarded the Palouse, with its vast golden fields, as a desert, although the area receives only two inches less rain a year than Kiel.  “The Pacific Northwest is one of the most interesting destinations for geographers because it has so much to offer.” said Thore Christiansen. “What struck each and every one of us was the amount of open space. In Germany, every sq...

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...