Collaborative Contest Prepares Idaho’s Future Rangeland Managers
Monday, November 1 2010
MOSCOW, Idaho – More than 100 Future Farmers of America students learned about potential careers pertaining to rangeland ecology and management at a recent education event coordinated by the University of Idaho Rangeland Ecology and Management program and the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission.
Twenty-four FFA chapters across Idaho participated in the State FFA Rangeland Assessment Contest in Burley, Oct. 12.
The event was designed to develop students’ skills in major aspects of rangeland assessment including plant identification, recognition of site characteristics of soils, plant composition, biomass estimation and evidence of current uses. Students also evaluated potential rangeland uses and made recommendations for grazing management practices. Students gained practical experience in decision making by working individually and in teams to address hypothetical rangeland management scenarios. Natural resource agency representatives helped administer the contest and provide additional expertise.
The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission sponsored awards for the top five FFA teams and individuals. Team awards winners included: Shoshone FFA Chapter members Will Billington, Jessica Lowe, Cara Pantone and Cody Race took first place overall, followed by Rigby FFA, Cambridge FFA, Gooding FFA and Homedale FFA chapters. Individual award winners included: first place - Hayden Boll, Cambridge FFA; second place - Jesica Lowe, Shoshone FFA; third place - Dyllan Hall, Bliss FFA; fourth place - Luke Begelow, Rigby FFA; and fifth place - Sawyer Fonnesbeck, from Rigby FFA.
“FFA has long been a supporter of exposing youth to hands-on career experiences,” said Professor Karen Launchbaugh. “The goal of this contest was to help students see the connection among these practical skill sets and potential careers related to rangeland management.”
Rangeland comprises nearly 50 percent of the world’s land surface and western North America and Idaho, making their proper use and management vitally important to communities and economies both nationally and internationally. However, a growing concern in the rangeland profession is that the current number of graduates with rangeland degrees each year falls far short of meeting the future demand for qualified rangeland management specialists.
“By collaborating with the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission, the university is better positioned to address the needs of Idaho citizens, as well as enrich the educational resources available to Idaho agricultural teachers,” said Kelly Crane, University of Idaho rangeland extension specialist and contest coordinator.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s land-grant institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year. The University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation classification for high research activity. The student population of 12,302 includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars, who select from more than 130 degree options in the colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Art and Architecture; Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Law; Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; Natural Resources; and Science. The university also is charged with the statewide mission for medical education through the WWAMI program. The university combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities and focuses on helping students to succeed and become leaders. It is home to the Vandals, the 2009 Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl champions. For more information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.