University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

This semester, Collegiate FFA has been busy planning and executing   activities which help its members grow their professional development skills and provides them with community service opportunities. Here are a few of the highlights from the semester:   Ag Days Each year, UI CALS hosts its annual Ag Days event and each year, CFFA plays an integral role in its success. The livestock judging event, which brings in around 200 participants from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, is hosted and ran by the CFFA organization. Members arrive hours ahead of line up to prepare the event and then stay until the end serving as group leaders, station monitors, and timers. Additionally, two AEE students , TyAnn Tellefson and Liz Wilder, presented a workshop ,“AgVocate”, to Ag Days participants interested in the agriculture communications field. National Teach Ag Day To celebrate the past, present, and future agriculture educators a group of students passionate about teachi...

Spring semester has been a busy time for Collegiate FFA. From packaging aroma kits for their annual fundraiser, assisting with State Leadership Conference in Twin Falls, and conducting various community service events, CFFA members have immersed themselves in serving their community, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and Idaho FFA.   All of their passion and enthusiasm was displayed last night, April 23 rd , at the annual CALS Awards Banquet where CFFA was named the 2018 Club of the Year. This award is given to clubs who demonstrate excellence in mission, intent and service to its members, the college, and community. CFFA is honored to receive this prestigious award for the second year in a row. “We have many leaders in this organization who work hard to create valuable opportunities for our members,” said CFFA past-president Maggie Elliot.   “It means so much for CALS to recognize these investments two years in a row.” Club President, Liz Bumstead, a...

The start of the new semester and new year, also kicks off the start of a new term for a new CFFA Executive Officer team. Elected in November at the Fall Banquet, the team is very excited to kick off their year- starting with the annul executive board retreat. The team brainstorming new ideas for the year This year, the retreat was hosted by Dr. Smith on Saturday, January 27 th . Prior to the retreat, the team had never worked together nor even knew each other. However, after an afternoon full of leadership building activities, brainstorming sessions, an intense pizza making competition, and the development of the chapter’s program of activities, they feel prepared and ready to take on another incredible year. CFFA Reporter, Sydney Candler, said “The retreat was great! Being able to come together and create a connection with my teammates was invaluable. I am so excited for our year!”. Taking part in a leadership building activity! CFFA will kick off its 2018 year with ...

On Monday, December 4th, Collegiate FFA and the Leadership Book Club class worked together to make nine fleece tie blankets to donate to Gritman Medical Center. With the temperature dropping outside, making warm blankets is a natural opportunity to help someone in the community.  "Making these blankets has become a meaningful tradition" said junior Liz Bumstead. "We've done it for the last several years because it's an easy way for anyone one to get involved and make a real impact." Thank you to all the members who assisted with this project! 

by Molly Sparrow The agricultural education program has had a great month, but one event has really stood out. Oct. 12-14 the department took five students, Dino Vinci, Molly Sparrow, Chelsey Sharp, Samantha Gunderson and Michael Cook on a three day adventure to visit agricultural education programs across the state of Oregon. The group was chaperoned by Associate Professor Jeremy Falk who helped to facilitate and select programs to visit. The group of six visited the Enterprise, Imbler and Hermiston ag education programs. Each of these programs provided unique opportunities and learning opportunities for these future ag educators.  Finally, to end the trip the group attended the Oregon Agricultural Teacher’s Association technical training. The students attended three different workshops that helped to prepare them to be educators such as agriscience prep, secondary literacy and using technology in the classroom. It was a great trip for everyone involved.

CFFA Members stopped at the Columbus Zoo on their way to Indianapolis National FFA Convention week is here! Every year faculty from the department of Agricultural and Extension Education aid in the facilitation of three national Career Development Events, and this year eight members of Collegiate FFA are joining these professors in Indianapolis, helping to coordinate the Parliamentary Procedure, Prepared Public Speaking, and Agriscience Fair contests.  We also wish the best of luck to Gretchen Hansten who is serving as Idaho FFA’s National Officer Candidate and has worked hard to pursue her dream of serving as a National FFA Officer. Seventeen students from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will be receiving their American FFA degrees on Saturday. University of Idaho's Collegiate FFA is proud to serve at National Convention and help make learning opportunities available for FFA members all over the country!

Saturday, October 7 th Collegiate FFA members gathered as part of the College of Agricultural and Life Science’s Ag Days event and facilitated a livestock judging competition. This contest annually attracts teams from all over the region, and over 100 high school students competed. We wish all participants the best of luck in their future contests!

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...

Thanks to all CFFA members for a great year! Photo Credit: Kim O'Neil      Collegiate FFA celebrated its year-end Spring Banquet on Tuesday, April 19 th  at the 1912 Center in Moscow. Members gathered to recognize the accomplishments of the club’s activities, which stretch from a variety of community service projects and fundraisers to professional development events, including the facilitation of FFA Career Development Events at both the local and state level, as well as touring high school agriculture programs around the Pacific Northwest.       Renee Hanson, Office Administrator for the department of Agricultural and Extension Education, was the recipient of the chapter’s Honorary Degree for her outstanding service to students and the club.      Other awards were given to members who provide over-the-top performance throughout the year. Recipients included Maggie Elliot and Erin Peek. Advisor, Dr. Jeremy Falk, s...

by Mary Kate Myers CFFA Members Travis Hoyle, Mary Kate Myers, Morgan Meyers, Erin Peek, and Taylor Nelson at Perrine Bridge It was a great week for CFFA members as they traveled down to Twin Falls for Idaho FFA State Leadership Conference (SLC). Members had a busy week of touring local Ag Programs as well as helping in all aspects of SLC. The members that traveled down to SLC with CFFA, had the opportunity to visit two Ag Programs, to see their schools and ask the Ag teachers questions about their programs and teaching styles. CFFA traveled to Burley and met their three Ag teachers; Mr. Lex Godfrey, Mr. Sam Condie, and Ms. Casey Sanders. The three teachers explained the benefits of having three teachers for their Ag program and how they are able to have more classes because they can all split up the work. Members also had the chance to tour around Burley’s newest addition to their Ag Program; a newly built Ag building, complete with a Food Science Kitchen. CFFA also t...