CALS Ambassadors

Kenzie Barta

Agricultural Science, Communications and Leadership

Hometown: Spangle, Washington

U of I CALS has been a home away from home due to the welcoming environment and individuals. They provide students with endless support and guidance as they embark on their academic journey. UI CALS puts its students first and helps create connections in agriculture through clubs and events, which has been a game changer for my collegiate career.

Hadley Beechinor

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness and Animal & Veterinary Science: Business

Hometown: Walla Walla, Washington

When touring U of I CALS I instantly recognized the genuine interest that the entirety of the college had in my personal success and education. Not only does U of I CALS works to provide you with the best education possible but it also works to prepare you for your career and to enter the industry long before graduation. U of I CALS provides countless opportunities to become the best version of yourself and to gain a well-rounded education through a range of experiences.

Joseph Doumit

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness; Animal & Veterinary Science: Production

Hometown: Troy

My favorite experience in a CALS club has been from being a part of the Ag Risk Management Club. Getting the opportunity to hear about real career experiences and opportunities from individuals in the agriculture industry while also being able to make trades on the Ag Futures Market has provided a unique and exciting depth to my time in CALS.

Ava Eckles

Nutritional Sciences and Medical Science

Hometown: Twin Falls

I chose U of I CALS because of the small, personable experience of the FCS department. They do everything they can to help you succeed and get what you want out of your college experience. It also gives me a path to medical school that has classes that I will enjoy, but still with knowledgeable staff and faculty to get me where I need to be.

Delainee Ellsworth

Agricultural Education

Hometown: Deary

My favorite club experience in CALS has been playing Varsity polo. It has been such a fun experience with a great community to learn and compete with. They help make campus feel like home.

Hannah Glaser

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness; Animal Science Minor

Hometown: Tangent, Oregon

I chose U of I CALS because it is a family oriented college. You are able to build relationships with your peers and are offered a vast amount of opportunities for networking, traveling and connecting with the agricultural industries. Whether it be offering hands on experiences, providing access to state of the art facilities, or fostering growth through supporting learning through experience, CALS has helped me to grow as a leader and member of the agricultural community.

Lisbeth Gomez-Esquivel

Animal & Veterinary Science: Pre-Vet; Horticulture & Urban Agriculture; Pre-Health Professions Minor

Hometown: Nampa

I chose U of I CALS because of the welcoming environment that has helped foster both personal and academic growth. The staff and faculty have provided so much support that has helped me thrive and share that passion with others. Through this program, I’ve had the opportunity to build connections, gain valuable hands-on experiences, and be exposed to courses and clubs that have helped me grow as an individual for my future success.

Macie Grantham

Child Development; Psychology

Hometown: Meridian

I chose U of I CALS because I felt immediately connected with the students and staff in this department. From the moment I was first admitted, you could tell this program genuinely cares about the students' success. Through CALS, I have grown so much as a student leader and have been given wonderful opportunities to connect and continue to excel in personal growth.

Jay Harder

Animal and Veterinary Science: Production

Hometown: Ritzville, Washington

My favorite club experience in CALS was being able to travel to the Idaho Cattleman’s Association through the Student Idaho Cattleman’s Association club. I had the opportunity to meet many great people and learn lots about the cattle industry.

Katie Hebdon

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness & Animal & Veterinary Science: Dairy; Agricultural Commodity Risk Management Certificate

Hometown: Nampa

My favorite class so far has been Ag Econ 468 which is Commodity Merchandising with Norm Ruhoff. It has been super fun to learn more about commodity merchandising and dealing with cash and futures markets.

Tobee Holman

Agricultural Systems Management

Hometown: Rigby

I chose the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) because of the incredible faculty and students I met during my first year on campus. Their welcoming attitude and encouragement pushed me toward opportunities I never imagined I would have in college. One pivotal moment was taking Marvin Heimgartner's Shop Practices ASM 202 class, which opened my eyes to the exciting possibilities within CALS. Since then, I’ve joined the University of Idaho Soils Judging Team and the CALS Ambassador Team. These experiences have allowed me to travel, connect with new people, and deepen my understanding of agriculture across different states.

Weston Jeffries

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness

Hometown: Fruitland
I choose CALS for the family feel of the college. The connections I made with faculty and students my first time on campus made CALS feel like the perfect fit for me. Another reason I choose CALS was the different degree options and potential career paths after graduation.

Brianna Leon

Animal & Veterinary Science: Pre-Vet; Wildlife Resources Minor

Hometown: Rupert

I chose U of I CALS because the diversity and welcoming environment cultivates the ambitions of each student and the faculty and staff within the college are passionate about sharing and prospering your endeavors with you. The experiences, networking connections and genuine support fostered at U of I CALS truly prepare you to become a successful leader and contributor in agriculture and life sciences.

Tegan Macy

Crop Science; Animal Science Minor

Hometown: Culver, Oregon

My favorite experience in a CALS club was a soil judging competition with the University of Idaho Soil Judging Team. The 2023 regional competition was held in the Black Hills in South Dakota which had so many interesting soils that were totally unique compared to anything I had ever seen before. It was great to meet students from other universities, see different parts of the country and learn more about soil.

Conley Martin

Animal and Veterinary Science: Production

Hometown: Adrian, Oregon

I chose U of I CALS because of the great professors and the amazing opportunities that the CALS program provides for students. The opportunities that I have had in my year and a half within the CALS program are extremely helpful with gaining me hands-on experience in portions of the industry that I have little knowledge in. The U of I CALS has helped me gain more knowledge about all of agriculture and will help me succeed in all of my future ventures.

Kamile Mirkin

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness; Animal Science Minor

Hometown: Jerome

Choosing to attend the University of Idaho in CALS was an easy decision. The welcoming nature of the staff and plethora of opportunities truly allows every student to find what they are passionate about and set them up for future success. I was especially excited about the potential for lots of hands-on experiences, building connections with professors and networking within the agriculture industry.

Cassie Moody

Agricultural Education

Hometown: Middleton

My favorite experience in a CALS course has been traveling to Iowa for the World Food Prize conference with the Ag Ed 404 class. This experience was incredibly eye opening as I had the opportunity to learn about global food security and how I, as a future agricultural educator, can play a role in educating students about food security.

Ariana Olmos

Animal & Veterinary Science: Pre-Vet and Dairy; Spanish Minor

Hometown: Rupert

I chose CALS because of their amazing AG program that has allowed me to gain hands-on experience. I also felt welcomed by all the people within the college, they made me feel welcomed as soon as I stepped foot inside. One of my favorite class that I have taken is AVS 222 Reproduction with Dr. Amin, or my Anatomy and Physiology Lab because we get to work hands on with animals.

Logan Pomi

Animal and Veterinary Science: Production

Hometown: Petaluma, California

I chose U of I CALS because of the individuals that make up the college. I like the small student-to-faculty ratio allowing me to be seen as a person as opposed to just a name. I have been able to see success in my endeavors through the support from faculty and peers. Close relationships within this department have made my time here worthy and enjoyable.

Madi Rudner

Agricultural Education

Hometown: Filer

My favorite club experience in CALS has definitely been with Dairy Club, particularly during the cheese cutting event. I was initially looking for a fun, low-stress club and when Emily Merideth, the club president, invited me to a dairy cow halter breaking, I jumped at the chance. After meeting the members, I instantly felt a sense of community and knew I’d found something special. Then, Emily invited me to join the cheese cutting event, and I thought, "Why not?" It turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Not only was the atmosphere filled with laughter and inside jokes, but we also cut 402 blocks of cheese! While that alone was impressive, I was blown away by the wealth of knowledge I gained — from the marketing insights to the nutritional aspects of dairy. And of course, the best part was snacking on all the cheese scraps along the way. If you're looking for a hands-on, engaging club where you can learn a lot while having fun, Dairy Club is definitely worth checking out.

Elizabeth Shaw

Agricultural Science, Communications & Leadership; Marketing Minor

Hometown: Parma

My favorite experience in CALS so far has been being a part of the CALS Ambassador team. From traveling opportunities to leadership development, being an ambassador has allowed me to maximize my time at the University of Idaho. It has also helped me build lifelong connections.

Maggie Shaw

Animal & Veterinary Science: Production

Hometown: Caldwell

My favorite club experience in CALS is easily Student Idaho Cattlemen’s Association (SICA) going to the annual Idaho Cattlemen’s Association Conference in Sun Valley. Getting to meet and network with industry professionals and listen to meeting sessions is an experience second to none for students.

Regan Stansell

Biotechnology & Plant Genomics; International Agriculture and Crop Management Minors

Hometown: Marsing

I chose U of I CALS because they took the time to get to know me and my interests. I was able to spend one on one time with professors learning all about the diverse opportunities the college had to offer.

Maraya Stapleton

Animal & Veterinary Science: Business; Pre-Health Professions Minor

Hometown: Nampa

I chose U of I CALS because of the experiences they provide. I have been a part of clubs that do fun and helpful activities, attend classes that set me up for a great future, and have grown my network of people that have helped me better myself and shown me how to be a better person to others. I also love getting the opportunity to talk about my experiences to others and share the positive community this college provides.

Ryson Sweeney

Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness; Marketing Minor; Agricultural Commodity Risk Management Certificate

Hometown: Deer Park, Washington

My favorite club experience in CALS has been traveling with friends to the College Rodeos and making memories with them.

Annika Tee

Animal & Veterinary Science: Business & Production; Agribusiness Minor

Hometown: Latah, Washington

The Women in Ag club did an overnight industry tour in the Pendleton/Walla Walla area. We toured the Pendleton Roundup rodeo grounds, a feedlot, a seed treating facility and a couple vineyards. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot of interesting facts about areas of agriculture that I'm not extremely familiar with.

Tressa Wade

Animal & Veterinary Science: Production; Agribusiness Minor

Hometown: Moses Lake, Washington

It's difficult to choose just one favorite course that I have taken in CALS! So far, it has either been AGEC 289 (Agricultural Markets and Prices) or AVS 305 (Animal Nutrition). I really enjoyed both of these classes because they were rigorous, yet interesting to me. The professors are extremely helpful to help us learn, and both of these courses are sure to benefit me as I continue in CALS and enter the workforce in the near future.

Jenna Whitaker

Agricultural Science, Communications & Leadership

Hometown: Moses Lake, Washington

My favorite club experience in CALS has been traveling with Block and Bridle. Two years in a row I have gotten the opportunity to travel the NILE stock show in Billings, Montana to show our registered Charolais cattle. Getting to represent the university and continue the passion I have for showing livestock has been an amazing opportunity. Last year, we also traveled to New Orleans for the Block and Bridle National Convention, which was held in conjunction with CattleCon. This gave me insight into the industry and an opportunity to network with some amazing potential employers!

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