University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

Meridian Ag Instructor Liz Russell shares how agricultural  education  not only grows student leaders,  but empowers    the surrounding community to be Ag literate.        A colleague of mine recently asked me for a quote on ‘Why I am an ag teacher/FFA advisor’.  Here is what I replied: “I teach ag for every kid that doesn’t get to grow up on a farm.  Ag classes and the FFA organization are the next best way to become the person you need to be.”  I was the lucky Idaho kid who ‘got to’ grow up on a dairy farm.  We milked ~150 Holsteins twice a day, raised our replacement heifers and fed out our steers for the beef market, and farmed ~350 acres of corn, alfalfa hay and barley for cattle feed on family-supplied labor.  I learned from an early age the value of hard work, the pride of increased responsibility, and the benefits of being punctual and flexible.  I was enthused to follow in m...