14 minute read
Cover story: Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?
BY MORGAN LUTGEN Director of Membership & Industry Engagement
With contributions from:
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College of Southern Idaho Jaysa Fillmore, Agriculture Instructor Lewis & Clark State College Dr. Jeffrey Ober, Dean of Career & Technical Education Treasure Valley Community College Sandra Porter, Agriculture Instructor University of Idaho CALS Dr. Phil Bass, Asst. Professor & Meat Scientist University of Idaho CNR Dr. Karen Launchbaugh, Professor of Rangeland Ecology
Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?
Photo provided by University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources
If you’re like me, the mention of this George Jones classic evokes a bit of nostalgia, but maybe also a bit of sorrow when thinking about what the future holds. There are days when the outlook in this industry seems a little dim, a little heavy. But what brightens it for me is when, during our travels to events around the state, the ICA staff & leadership have the opportunity to interact with and observe students from several of the university level agriculture programs. Quite often we also have quality interactions with the advisors of these programs and our conversations typically lead back to this root question: “What can we be doing to show students what is available to them in the beef industry and how can we work together to foster interaction between seasoned producers and the next generation of graduates?” This question invigorates me! I continually think about ways to facilitate an answer to this question and I’d have to admit it has become somewhat of a mission to give students the most transparent presentation of opportunities available to them when emerging with a shiny new degree. It occurred to me, that while we need to continue involving our students in the industry, we also need to educate our members on how they can help cultivate those that will indeed ‘fill their shoes’. What better time to do this, than as part of our Allied Industries issue? For this article, I asked several university advisors to provide some highlights of their programs. While not everyone has the same
resources and paths available, I thought it was important to share these with our members & readers. Members and readers who are made up not only of producers, but also agencies, allied industries professionals, supporters and others who employ inside the beef cattle industry of Idaho. By providing a visual of how these higher education paths contribute to the success of beef in Idaho, it’s my hope this will create inspiration for you to connect and support those with an interest in furthering agriculture.
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO
TWIN FALLS, IDAHO
The College of Southern Idaho Agriculture Department currently serves between 250 and 300 students and offers a variety of associate degrees and certificates related to the agriculture and natural resource industries including an Associate of Science in Animal Science, an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, a Livestock Technician certificate, and an Associates of Applied Science in Agriculture which can include a wide variety of applied animal science and livestock courses. Unique to most Career Technical programs at the junior college level, around 1/3 the graduates from CSI's Agriculture Department transfer and complete a higher degree beyond CSI. We have graduates working in all aspects of the livestock industry from production, health and nutrition, and veterinary medicine, to marketing and processing. We work closely with the University of Idaho and Utah State University to develop transfer pathways for students seeking to advance their education beyond CSI.
We highly value networking and industry engagement across all our de-
Jaysa Fillmore, College of Southern Idaho
gree programs and strive to continually offer students opportunities to engage with industry professionals through tours, guest speakers, conference participation, and continuing professional development. Our Networking Lunches held through our Ag & Natural Resource Seminar course are a great example of how we help students practice and gain confidence in their networking skills and make connections between their interests and abilities and a viable future career path. This winter, the Agriculture Department also facilitated Ag & Natural Resource Career Fair specifically for students in our programs and CSI boasts a 99% positive placement rate for our Career & Technical Education graduates (job or advanced education placement in their degree field).
Some of the notable certifications and degree to career paths include: ● All students earn Beef Quality Assurance certification in Principles
of Animal Science course (introductory animal science) ● Students qualify for their Idaho
Artificial Insemination Technician
Certificate through our Artificial
Insemination of Cattle course ● Our Veterinary Technology program is the only American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program in Idaho and upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the Veterinary
Technician National Examination (VTNE)
The College of Southern Idaho Ag Club is affiliated with the ICA as a SICA group in addition to Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers and National FFA Alumni and Supporters. The Ag Club has around 50 active members and has participated in the ICA Annual Convention in Sun Valley for the past several years. The club also promotes ICA scholarships, encourages members to apply for
CSI AG CLUB STUDENTS TOURING A FEEDLOT OPERATION IN NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
LEWIS & CLARK STATE COLLEGE OFFERS A 2 YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM IN DIESEL MECHANICS.
the Idaho Young Cattle Producers program, and engages in the cattle industry through tours and networking events. We encourage students to be involved in the Magic Valley Cattle Association and attend events like Beef Schools hosted by local Extension professionals. We highly encourage our students to take advantage of internships and help make connections when students have specific interests and want to explore more through an internship. Recently, we have had two students intern at the Nancy M. Cummings Research and Extension Center in Salmon as well as students intern at the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch unit in Hailey. We would like to do more short term/ weekend intensive trainings where we could bring a group of students to a producer and spend 2-3 days learning through hands-on engagement in all aspects of the cattle industry- cow/calf operations, feedlot management, processing, etc. We are currently working with Agri Beef as they finish their new plant in Jerome, ID and hope to offer opportunities for more students to learn and intern in the meat science/ meat production industry segment. We would also like to expand our engagement with those in the dairy industry- in production, animal health, animal nutrition, technology, and quality/ processing. Industry professionals are welcome to visit our classes any time and we can also load up on our bus and come to you! LEWIS & CLARK STATE COLLEGE
LEWISTON, IDAHO
Lewis-Clark State College has a robust menu of career and technical education options, many of which can provide support to the beef industry. LC State’s diesel program provides a two-year degree path for students to learn about diesel engines, including operation and repair. A CDL license is also an option in the diesel program. The welding program is a two-year degree option covering many different types of welding processes, materials, and related instruction. LC State has additional programs in engineering, including geographic information systems and drones. Hospitality Management is another program that can be related to the beef industry. Students and graduates from LC State could fit into various positions at cattle processing plants such as maintenance mechanics or maintenance technicians (welding, millwright, electronics, diesel), clerks or accountants (accounting, bookkeeping, business), and program or process managers (business, natural sciences). Many LC State students do look for summer opportunities as well that can lead to internships to explore career opportunities.
The college also has programs in areas related to the industry in other ways: accounting (CPA), bookkeeping, business management, economics, marketing, and natural sciences are just a few. LC State offers programs in person and online to meet the needs of today’s workforce, including specialized options for working adults. As the most affordable public four-year institution in Idaho, LC State would welcome the chance to partner and discuss more opportunities with members of the ICA at any time.
TREASURE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ONTARIO, OREGON
Treasure Valley Community College is a two-year school located in Ontario, Oregon on the west end of the Treasure Valley and offers two degree paths – Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of Science (AS). Our associate of applied science degrees allow students to get skilled up in their major of choice and we expect them to enter the work force after completion. Currently, we offer degrees in Ranch Management, Horse Training, Ag Business, Natural Resources, Wildland Fire Management and Welding. The AAS degrees have really strong ties to industry
A STUDENT AT TVCC WORKS TOWARD A BOVINE AI CERTIFICATION.
Sandy Porter, TVCC
and require students complete hours of cooperative work experience to broaden their horizons.
Our Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed to be a hands-on first two year of a Bachelor of Science. We work closely with University of Idaho, Oregon State, Montana State and Eastern Oregon University to design a block transfer to those receiving institutions. We offer AS degrees in Animal Science, Equine Science, Crop and Soil Science, Ag Business, Natural Resources, Range Management and Wildlife Science.
TVCC students can earn a variety of certifications, based on their degree path–from Bovine Artificial Insemination to a host of welding processes. Our department works hard to engage industry partners in our student's education–from guest speakers to hosted labs.
TVCC has enjoyed a great relationship with ICA in the past – the majority of TVCC students are Idaho residents, so we strive to get our students involved in industry – and start their network early! We’ve had students attend fall convention as interns and have attended various meetings and look forward to being able to continue in the future.
If producers or allied industry partners have internship or job opportunities, please share them with us! We think it’s important for our students to “find who they want to be” in their respective industries. Sandy Porter, ag advisor, says ‘I think students need encouragement to know that there is a space for them in the industry and some positive voices encouraging them – those can go a long way!’ Industry tours and invites to colleges are always appreciated. UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES ANIMAL, VETERINARY & FOOD SCIENCES : MEAT SCIENCES
MOSCOW, IDAHO
The University of Idaho is charging forward as a leader of meat science and beef education and research in the Pacific Northwest. Based in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) the Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences (AVFS), meat science faculty Dr. Michael Colle and Dr. Phil Bass, are carrying the banner for the already well-established and energetic program built in previous years by Ron Richard and Dr. Matt Doumit; Dr. Doumit is now an associate dean of the college. Drs. Colle and Bass focus their research efforts on beef quality, adding carcass value, and improvements in product merchandising. The meat science team currently is comprised of five graduate researchers and nearly a dozen undergraduate research students. Meat science faculty at the University of Idaho do their best to maintain a close working relationship with meat processors of all size in the Pacific Northwest, as well as nationally and internationally, to maintain relevancy and connect their students to industry careers after graduation.
The primary classes taught in the AVS department relating to the meat science discipline include Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation (AVS 263) and Animal Products for Human Consumption (AVS 363). A few additional concentrated discipline classes are also offered that build off the afore mentioned courses and focus on value-added meat products, meat animal evaluation competition, and meat science laboratory
procedures. Dr. Bass is currently an advisor for the Student Idaho Cattle Association and Dr. Colle advises the University of Idaho chapter of Block & Bridle as well as the Livestock Judging Club.
Centered at the heart of the University of Idaho’s meat science program is Vandal Brand Meats. Named as tribute for U of I’s mascot, Vandal Brand Meats is a USDA inspected facility led by James Nasados and used for research, education, and community outreach. The duo of Colle and Bass work closely with the Vandal Brand Meats team, to educate students and beef community stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest and beyond about beef quality and product attributes.
The team in the AVFS focus heavily on student career development and engagement with the beef industry. Students can major in Pre-veterinary, Production, and Business options in Animal Science. The
STUDENTS IN U OF I’S COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES PUTTING LEARNED SKILLS TO WORK. Student Idaho Cattle Association is one of the largest and most engaging clubs in CALS. Rest assured that the future beef industry leaders in Idaho are being welltrained at the University of Idaho.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES : RANGELAND CONSERVATION
MOSCOW, IDAHO
Vast reaches of grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and deserts dominate Idaho’s landscapes. These lands support intricate ecosystems of mostly native plants providing a sustainable forage resource that cattle and ranchers rely on to sustain their lives and livelihood.
Students in the Rangeland Conservation degree at the University of Idaho (U of I) acquire the knowledge and skills to manage grazing, fire, invasive plants, and watershed health on rangelands that
cover more than half of Idaho. The U of I Rangeland Conservation degree is one of only 14 programs accredited by the Society for Range Management confirming the quality and rigor of the degree.
While in school, rangeland students need to learn a little bit about a lot of disciplines to understand the processes driving rangeland ecosystems. Classes focus on rangeland ecology and management including classes in soil, plant, and animal science. Students interested in animal production can seek a minor or double major in Animal Science to provide career opportunities such as becoming a ranch manager or working as a consultant for ranchers involved in permit renewals or restoration. Many students majoring in animal production take rangeland courses to enhance their degree. Opportunities also exist to complete a 4-year range degree while studying at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and completing distance and field courses through the U of I.
The demand for rangeland graduates far exceeds the number of students who graduate from the rangeland program each year and graduates generally have full-time employment within days or weeks of graduation. Potential employers include federal and state government agencies, private landowners, environmental organizations, consulting firms, and Native American tribes. Ranchers in Idaho will often work with rangeland graduates to plan restoration projects, make grazing decisions, or manage weeds and wildland fuels. Range graduates are the Range Management Specialists who work with state and federal agencies to administer and monitor grazing permits on federal lands. Rangeland careers focus on working with landowners, ranchers, organizations, and agencies to make land management decisions to sustain healthy rangelands, provide resources for grazing animals, and support productive ranches.
As you can see, Idaho has an abundance of options, both in location and range of programs geared toward the success of the beef industry. What I would ask of you is simply this : share this article with the students in your life! Encourage them to become engaged members- a student ICA membership is very affordable and we offer a transitional rate for those new graduates. It’s even great for high schoolers to also read the offerings from each of these establishments before entering their further education decision making process. As those who want to be sure our shoes are adequately filled, we need to be sure we’re mentoring those coming up through the ranks. Offer a tour, connect with a student at your local cattleman’s meeting or serve as a speaker for an event– if you need ideas on how to create a meaningful offering, please don’t be shy about reaching out to me or any of these advisors. You don’t have to be a full time teacher to make an impact and I think we can all agree there is so much to be learned from the experience and true exposure.
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