Department of Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications

University of Idaho agricultural education graduates are helping to address an increasing shortage of agricultural educators. University of Idaho is uniquely qualified to address this shortage, as most of the state's agricultural educators are graduates from U of I's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Agricultural education, leadership and communications

As a student in the Department of Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications (AELC), you’ll develop skills and gain real-world experience to communicate the importance of agriculture — either in a classroom or as an agricultural communication or leadership professional.

The only agriculture teacher program in Idaho

Gain a broad education in agriculture while preparing to teach grades 6-12 with a degree in agricultural education. Explore teaching methods, learn how to plan curriculum, manage a classroom and supervise agricultural learning programs.

Explore the human side of agriculture while gaining technical knowledge and skills with a degree in agricultural science, communication and leadership (ASCL) to help tell the story of agriculture. Prepare for a wide variety of career fields, including public relations, agricultural literacy, community development, volunteer management and more. This degree is also offered at a distance through partnerships with the College of Southern Idaho and College of Western Idaho.

In AELC you will learn by doing. Students in both majors work with the Idaho FFA Association to gain hands-on experience organizing the State Leadership Convention and State CDE’s. Undergraduate research opportunities are available to help prepare you for graduate school and the workforce. A new Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning program offers the opportunity to learn more about global agriculture, develop a curriculum and spend spring break teaching at partner high schools across the nation.

Academics

Explore agricultural education and agricultural science, communication and leadership degrees to see if they’re the right fit for you. AELC also offers minors in agricultural communications and leadership, human and community engagement, and international agriculture that complement any major. The department also offers a 30-credit master’s degree in agricultural education that can be tailored to meet specific career goals and is available in Moscow or Boise.

Explore AELC degrees

University of Idaho agricultural education graduates are helping to address an increasing shortage of agricultural educators. University of Idaho is uniquely qualified to address this shortage, as most of the state's agricultural educators are graduates from U of I's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Explore our degrees

Our programs will prepare you to meet the world’s most critical challenges.

Find your passion
Brooklyn Epperson is studying Animal and Veterinary Science and is working on a research project to improve the top round cut of beef.

2+2 online degree program

Need to learn from a distance? University of Idaho, in partnership with the College of Southern Idaho and the College of Western Idaho, offers a 2+2 degree program in agricultural science, communication and leadership. You’ll complete your first two years at CSI in Twin Falls or CWI in Boise and your last two years of upper division U of I courses at a distance.

Attendance through CSI and CWI is not required; if you already have an associate’s degree we can help tailor your degree to finish your bachelor’s degree.

Courses are available in the areas of agricultural education, agricultural systems management, animal and veterinary science, family and consumer sciences, plant sciences and soil sciences.

Contact Amanda Moore-Kriwox to learn more about the 2+2 option.

College Agricultural and Life Sciences Career Develpment events

Get involved

AELC offers Collegiate FFA, a student organization that provides its members with opportunities to develop as educators. In addition, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has more than 30 clubs, making it easy to find your passion and get involved. Learn about clubs and organizations.

Discover

Learn what current AELC students are up to, from internships to undergraduate research projects.

A portrait of a man in a greenhouse

U of I addresses teacher shortages in agricultural education

Hands-on teaching sparks passion for agriculture careers
A woman sitting on a white fence.

U of I student advocates for Idaho agriculture through hands-on experience

Transitioning from teaching to agricultural communications
University of Idaho Student Hannah Ruth Pettyjohn works with advisor faculty Kasee smith in an office.

Meet our people

We provide instruction in agricultural, extension and experiential education; youth organizations; leadership development; and instructional design and methods.

Agricultural education, leadership and communications

Don Edgar

Department head and professor

Garrett Brogan

Assistant professor

Keith J. Frost

Assistant professor

Amanda Moore-Kriwox

Program specialist and academic coordinator

Melissa Sherman

Idaho's FFA executive director

Kasee Smith

Associate professor

Kattlyn Wolf

Professor

Sarah Swenson

Administrative coordinator

News and events

AELC employees and students help coordinate the Idaho FFA State Convention held in Twin Falls in April and the Idaho FFA Career Development Events held in Moscow in June.

Idaho FFA Career Development Events

We look forward to welcoming Idaho FFA members to the Moscow campus for the annual Career Development Events in June. 

The Hoot

Published twice a year by students in the AELC department, The Hoot provides updates on current students, alumni and department happenings.

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