State Programs
State Summary 2010 — Idaho
State Contact
Mr. Rick Waitley
Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom
55 SW 5th Ave, Suite 100
Meridian, ID 83642-8638
P: 208.888.0988
F: 208.888.4586
E: rick@amgidaho.com
Website
Classroom Resources
The Idaho AITC continues to work with the Department of Education in Child Nutrition and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in Marketing to develop a set of 12 posters featuring Idaho commodities. On the back of each poster (sent to school food service directors and teachers who have requested through AITC) are worksheets for classroom use.
Major Program Accomplishments or Outputs
Through the donation of a gift ($10,000) we were able to share in the purchase of a tour headphone set. We now have the capability of having 55 participants on individual headphone sets that are tied to the presenter. We have utilized these for another client and have been more than satisfied. The opportunity to hear in many difficult situations has been improved by 100%. This will be a tremendous benefit to our tours and workshops.
We continue to expand and invest in Ag Expos in cooperation with high school FFA chapters throughout Idaho. These Expo's target elementary children for 2-3 hours of instruction and hands on experiences related to agriculture. Idaho AITC's role has been to provide contacts, materials, supplies and funding for the Expos. The Expos now happen throughout the year in various parts of Idaho. We provide a teacher packet to each classroom teacher attending the Expo which gives exposure to AITC programs and opportunities.
Major Program Impacts or Outcomes
100% of the teachers attending workshops and tours indicated that they have been provided information and material that could be utilized into their current teaching philosophy and courses related to food and fiber production.
Membership in Idaho Ag in the Classroom Association increased by 14% due to more industry and organizational presentations about the program and what is provided to classrooms in Idaho.
Over 32,000 visitors passed through the Food Producers of Idaho Ag Pavilion at two major fairs in Idaho. Idaho AITC is responsible to provide the educational centers throughout the Pavilion for children and adults helping them learn more about Idaho Agriculture and the impact it has on the daily lives of people.
5 additional high school FFA Chapters added Ag Expos to their Program of Activities in 2009
Biosketch
The Idaho AITC program is housed at Association Management Group (AMG) in Meridian, Idaho. AMG provides association management and legislative lobbying for over 30 different groups in Idaho. Rick Waitley, State AITC Director is the President of AMG. Waitley grew up on an Idaho farm and received his BS from the University of Idaho in Ag Ed. Waitley taught high school agriculture before joining the staff of the National FFA in Alexandria, VA. Waitley returned to Idaho and worked for the Idaho Dairymen's Association and in 1977 became a registered lobbyist.
Waitley's first contract with Idaho AITC was in January 1994. Waitley is married to a Kindergarten teacher who recently retired after 35 years in the classroom. Rick Waitley received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Agriculture for the area of Education/Advocacy in 1998. Waitley serves on a variety of boards and commissions in Idaho and has received numerous awards and recognition for his investment in Idaho agriculture.