by Ella Appleby

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduating seniors of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.  I had the opportunity to interview a few of them and those interviews are below. 

The following is from Dr. John Foltz:

Graduating seniors – congrats on a job well done.  I was impressed by a recent commencement address by Marshall Matz to the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, CT, His primary thesis was this: “As a graduate of this college, you will be on the frontline of the planet’s most perplexing problems. The eyes of the world are on your exact areas of expertise: agriculture, natural resources and human nutrition. We are entering an agricultural renaissance and you have the hot hand. You have the skills that are in demand. The challenge of feeding the world is the one goal that unites all countries and all of humanity. There are a billion hungry people in the world. It is a barrier to economic development and political stability. In the next fifty (50) years the world will have to produce more food than has been produced in the last 10,000 years, combined.”

Your time is now – this challenge is yours.  I know you will rise to the occasion!  Best wishes.

 
Dr. John Foltz

Associate Dean

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Donna Mills, B.G.S.

Major: Small Acreage Farming and Ranching

I grew up in San Diego, Ca. I now live in Moscow, Idaho permanently with my two children, ages 17 and 7.  I graduated in December with a Bachelor in General Studies and a Certificate in Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching.

I came to the Palouse to be closer to family and to get out of the big city hustle. I retired from a thirteen-year career as a massage therapist after moving to Moscow. With a background in whole food nutrition and a strong need to have “my food be my medicine, and my medicine be my food,” the third Hippocratic oath, I came to the University of Idaho seeking education and a new career in Agroecology. Agroecology is the study of agriculture from an ecological perspective. I found the Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Certificate program and the Soil Stewards Student Farm and build the rest of my education around them. I knew I wanted to do advocacy work for small to mid-sized farmers and support the “Know Your Farmer” ideals. 

I have taken public relations, media writing, and reporting coursework to support what I am learning in small farming systems. I have completed the McNair Achievement Program at University of Idaho and recently presented my McNair research at the Innovation Showcase, winning first place for my research with the Soil Stewards Student Farm.

I do not believe in drawing a line between large agriculture and small agriculture and creating a chasm between the two, but to work toward the common goal of producing and providing food that considers the soil it is grown it. We are all working toward the same goal: to feed people. Let’s do that and lets remember that without the life giving soil, neither large or small agriculture would be able to do what they do…feed people. 

Currently, I am working for the Soil Stewards Student Farm as their farm development coordinator for credit as a graduate student in Ag. Ed and Extension Education. This semester I am writing a strategic plan for the farm in order to support our goal of funding three full-time positions on the farm as well as, continuing to be the lead public relations member of the farm team. I plan to stay in Moscow and develop the farm into Idaho’s leading Agroecology program at the University of Idaho. I absolutely love the Soil Stewards Student Farm!

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Jasmyn Bennett

Major: Clothing, Textiles and Design

Minor: Interior Design 

Why she chose this major?

Ever since elementary school I have been interested in fashion, design and everything else related to the industry. Clothing and dress is an art form and necessity all in one, that no matter who you are, it is relevant to your life.

Her post graduation plans…

After graduation I plan on staying through the summer in Moscow to continue working, saving money and hopefully get back to putting together window displays for the Antique Store downtown. Once summer is through, I plan on moving to Portland to explore my options and discover a world outside of Idaho.

 
I don't have a position lined up following graduation, but am interested in finding one designing store/window displays to start off and seeing where it will take me.

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Amber Marie Parish

Major: AVS- PreVet Option

I have farming/ranching background. I love biology and animals. I wanted to do something in agriculture and vet med combines all of my interests.

I have lived all over the west coast. Southern Idaho (Twin Falls area) has kind of been home base for a while.

 
I am married and we have two little girls.

 
I currently work at Patty's Mexican Kitchen here in Moscow. My boss works around my schedule- and it pays the bills.

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Liz Russell

Major: Agricultural Education - Teaching Option

Why she chose this major?

 
I grew up on a small family owned and operated dairy farm in Emmett, Idaho.  I grew up milking cows morning and night, and was involved in other aspects of the farm from the time I was tall enough to help in the milking barn.  When I became older, I enrolled in agricultural education classes at Emmett High School and never looked back.  I enrolled in everything from welding, to plant science, to animal science and loved it!  I also joined the FFA organization as an eighth grader, and went on to serve three years as a chapter officer and to participate in several Career Development Events at the state level.  

 
By the time I was a senior, I had still not decided on a major.  My background on the dairy farm, as well as my participation in agriculture classes had instilled a deep appreciation for the agriculture industry in me.  However, I had always had a desire to teach, having been involved with instructing younger members through church, 4-H, and FFA.  Upon talking to my high school agriculture teacher, I realized I could combine these two passions of mine into one degree:  agricultural education.  I enrolled in the University of Idaho's prestigious agriculture college and the Department of Agricultural Education and 4-H Youth Development, and never looked back!

 

Her post graduation plans…

 
Upon graduation, I hope to become employed full time as an agriculture instructor at a high school in Idaho.  I know how much agricultural education and the FFA Organization helped me develop personally, and I look forward to helping more of Idaho's youth learn about the agriculture industry and develop their full potential.

 
I am currently in the process of applying for agriculture teaching positions in the state of Idaho, but have not yet signed a contract.  I would love the chance to work in Idaho, as I grew up in the state and am familiar with the agricultural education and FFA system in this state.  I would also love the networking opportunities available with the great agriculture instructors in this state.

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Congratulations CALS Graduates!

 

Name	Major
Omotoyosi Opeyemi Adekunle	Agricultural Economics
Kayla Marie Alberti	Animal & Vet Sci-Dairy Sci Opt
Kayla Marie Alberti	Animal & Vet Sci-Productn Opt
Mary Kathleen Altland	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Dawson Roger Amerman	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Breanna Ray Ammari	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Alyssa Dawn Arthur	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Kathryn Marie Barber	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Callie Rae Barkdull	Ag Science, Comm, & Leadership
Freya Bass	Ag Ed-Teaching Opt
Jasmyn Sandra Bennett	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Jaimie Jo Berghammer	Agribusiness
Stewart Albert Bingham	Ag Science, Comm, & Leadership
Andrew Joseph Blaser	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Candace Rachelle Blomquist	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Mitchell Eric Blume	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Justin Edward Bowles	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Ian James Bridges	Ag Ed-Teaching Opt
Sara Mae Broemeling	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Mary Genevieve Brown	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Maja Brynn Brustuen	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Caitlin Ann Buermann	Agribusiness
Colin Jacques Cassard	Food Science
Stephanie Rae Cassidy	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Jeffrey M Chilson	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Andrea Evelyn Cobb	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Jessica Christine Cochran	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Ashley Coleman-Matyshock	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Marion Elizabeth Conley	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Collyn Virginia Crichton	Agribusiness
Drew Cruickshank	Agribusiness
Jessica Lynn Dauenhauer	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Kaleb Clinton Davis	Agribusiness
Darci Rachelle De Boer	Animal & Vet Sci-Productn Opt
Jacobus Wilhelmus DeRuyter	Agribusiness
Rachael Nadine Dollinger	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Casey James Dragon	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Melissa Marie Eldenburg	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Eric Michael Eldredge	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Jaymee Mae Ellis	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Benjamin D Enger	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Erin Aileen Flaherty	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Flerida Selene Flores	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Alex James Fredrickson	Food Science
Nichole Kayle Frei	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Erica Rolande Fuhrman	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Kenna Rose Gardes	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Diana Jean Gariglio	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Benjamin Andrew Garnett	Agribusiness
Josue Miguel Garza	Sust Crp&Lndsc-Envr Hort Emph
Gretchen L Goetz	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Robert Edward Greisen	Agricultural Systems Mgmt
Kyle W Groom	Agricultural Systems Mgmt
Brianna Louise Gualtieri	Food Science
Joan Marie Harding	Ag Science, Comm, & Leadership
Serafina Eliza-Svea Harney	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Ryan Patrick Hasenoehrl	Agribusiness
Audra Sue Henderson	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Julie Ann Hilland	Food Science
Amber Marie Hise	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Ashley Jean Holomshek	Animal & Vet Sci-Productn Opt
Katie June Hoye	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Tanis JoAnn Irwin	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Dayne Johnson	Sust Crp&Lndsc-Envr Hort Emph
Mara Christine Johnson	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Alexander Zakar Kolva	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Amanda Elizabeth Konradson	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Alexandra Judith Lester	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Austin J. Lewis	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Jeeyon Jenny Lim	Food Science
Brian Lindquist	Ag Science, Comm, & Leadership
Lisa Yolanda Lopez	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Erica Ramsey Louder	Animal & Vet Sci-Business Opt
Christopher James Grant Louis	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Matthew William Luth	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Kimberly Lennea Lynn	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Nicole Renae MacKinnon	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Kiel Malone	Agribusiness
Eugenio Umberto Mannucci	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Amanda Leann Marlette	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Katie Jean McCune	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Donna Pauline Mills	Sustain Small Acre Farm&Ranch
Hollie Marie Mitchell	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Megan Renee Mitchell	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Juan Francisco Mora Bello	Animal & Vet Sci-Productn Opt
Charito Morales	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Kelsee Marie Morefield	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Christina Johanna Morgan	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Sheba S. Nalle	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Shin Ae Nam	Food Science
Danielle Fay Nebeker	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Annemarie Louise Nechodom	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Karen Elizabeth Nelson	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Denise Grace Ohrt	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Kristyn Alyssa Olson	Animal & Vet Sci-Business Opt
Kristyn Alyssa Olson	Agribusiness
Johnathan Lee Ostrom	Food Science
Valerie Lynn Pantone	Agricultural Economics
Amber Marie Parish	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Stephen D. Parrott	Agribusiness
Devin Lee Patton	Agribusiness
Brianna Sharon Marguerite Peace	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Brenna Leah Pepper	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Samantha Joan Perez	Agribusiness
Sarah LaNelle Perkins	Agricultural Education
Katelyn Amanda Perry	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Georgia C Powell	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Tyler James Renz	Ag Ed-Teaching Opt
Jordan Faye Ridinger	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Jessica Nicole Robbeloth	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Diane Nicole Robertson	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Kelci Eliza Robinson	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Grant Eugene Robison	Agribusiness
Alexa Sherydan Rolin	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Elizabeth Rae Russell	Ag Ed-Teaching Opt
Cassandra Naureen Sago	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Tiffany Ann Schaeffer	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Cynthia Madeleine Scholte	Animal & Vet Sci-Productn Opt
Benjamin John Schumacher	Agribusiness
Lori Rebecca Shafer	Ag Science, Comm, & Leadership
Morgan Marie Sisson	Food Science
Alexandra Rose Skinner	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Allison Louise Smith	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Jessica Anne Smith	Ag Ed-Teaching Opt
Miranda Lee Snook	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Tabitha Marie Sonnen	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Jori L Sorensen	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Jennifer Ann Spencer	Animal & Vet Sci-Dairy Sci Opt
Jennifer Ann Spencer	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Lindsey Rae Stephens	Ag Ed-Teaching Opt
Sterling L Stoddard	Agribusiness
Emily Ann Straubhar	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Wade Alan Sutton	Animal & Vet Sci-Productn Opt
Lindsey Ann Thompson	CFCS:Family Life Opt
Leslie E. Tiede	Animal & Vet Sci-Sc/Prevet Opt
Tasha Marie Tomlinson	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Misty Dawn Tucker	Ag Science, Comm, & Leadership
Ryan Clarence Vander Stelt	Agribusiness
Kelsey Jean Vaughn	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Julia Christine Veseth	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Samantha Ilene Watson	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Kendrick Clegg Webb	Sust Crp&Lndsc-Sust CrpSys Emp
Christianne Welch-Price	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Carly Jayne Westacott	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Orlando C.T. Winston	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Stephani Celeste Woodland	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Jie Xiao	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Annika Young	CFCS-Child Dev Family Rel
Jaclyn Marie Young	Early Childhood Devel & Ed
Kimberly Jill Young	Food/Nutr-Dietetics Opt
Xiaodong Yu	Clothing, Textiles and Design
Alaina Louise Zinke	Food/Nutr-Nutrition Opt
Cory Dominic Zita	Agroec,Hort&EnvQual-Entom Opt