University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

Brave and bold-- a mindset that the Vandals and Vandal Alumna, Rikki Ruiz both share. The mindset of never underestimating your potential has led Ruiz and her small business, The Frosted Cowgirls Boutique to success.  The Pocatello, Idaho native now calls New Plymouth, Idaho home and will always be a proud member of the Vandal family. After receiving a masters in Agricultural Education with a focus on agricultural communications and industry relations and a Bachelors in Agricultural Business, Ruiz began her career and spent 12 years as a University of Idaho Extension Educator. During this time, she also created the western fashion boutique, The Frosted Cowgirls.  The Frosted Cowgirls Boutique was founded almost 12 years ago and has grown to have a storefront in Fruitland, Idaho, an online store and a mobile boutique that travels to rodeos across the region. Ruiz expressed her passion for her small business in stating, “ If someone feels beautiful, their confidence lifts, and t...

To celebrate the past, present, and future agriculture educators a group of students passionate about teaching agriculture came together on September 20, 2018, to celebrate National Teach Ag Day. The Department of Agricultural and Extension Education hosted an afterparty event that shared with student’s fun ways to implement Virtual Reality into the classroom. In addition to the 16 attendees from the University of Idaho, students from Oregon State University, Penn State University, and Kansas State University joined the fun via conference calls. Needless to say, the event was a hit! The event was split into two parts. The first was an interactive lesson from a Doceo Center intern, Farahan, about virtual reality glasses and using google maps in the classroom. Google glasses were provided to all participants so they could learn firsthand the benefits of such technology. In the second part, students heard from Alan Willmore, Jerome High School agriculture teacher, on how he uses virt...

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 ...