Idaho Members of the Bi-State Leadership Team
Colette is a University of Idaho Community Food Systems Extension Educator serving north Idaho. She has worked with farmers, community members, non-profits, government agencies and universities to develop community food systems and small farms programs for 25+ years. Colette has offered numerous educational workshops, conferences, field tours, webinars and online courses on local food systems and sustainable agriculture. She is a cofounder of the Cultivating Success™ program and of Rural Roots, Inc. Colette’s small farm education areas of expertise include marketing, risk management, on-farm food safety, and whole farm planning.
Kate is a University of Idaho Community Food Systems & Small Farms Program Coordinator supporting sustainable small-scale agriculture and food systems in northern Idaho.
To learn more about the Washington members of the Bi-State Leadership Team, visit the WSU Cultivating Success website!
Idaho Statewide Team
Ariel is a University of Idaho Community Food Systems and Small Farms Extension Educator serving southwest Idaho. Her areas of specialization include home and market vegetable production, direct marketing of small farm products, organics and gardening with youth. She coordinated the Canyon County Master Gardeners, created the Idaho Victory Garden Series, and the Master Gardener School Garden Mentor program. Ariel is committed to helping individuals and communities grow. She is one of our Cultivating Success™ instructors for the Treasure Valley.
Jemila is an Area Extension Educator for the University of Idaho Extension, Southern Districts. Her training is in Soil Science with expertise in Soil Fertility and Nutrient management. Jemila will prioritize education programs on community food production systems, and lead and facilitate collaborative, multidisciplinary, and multifaceted applied research, and education programs in cropping systems for southwest Idaho.
Courtney is a Soil Health Instructor in Boise, serving Southern Idaho. She provides education and outreach on soils and soil health to large scale producers, small acreage growers, master gardeners and youth. She fosters collaboration between farmers and soil health professionals. She also creates and fills the gaps in regionally relevant soil health resources.
Samuel DeGrey is the agricultural extension educator for Boundary county, Idaho’s northernmost county (County seat and largest city- Bonners Ferry). Samuel has a background in entomology and has been working for the University of Idaho for several years as a researcher at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center near Twin Falls. Samuel’s work with the University of Idaho thus far has focused on insects and viruses that attack some of southern Idaho’s major crops like sugar beet and potato. Samuel is broadly interested in finding new ways to improve and enhance all forms of agricultural in Boundary county, but has a special interest in integrating native plants into horticulture. In his free time Samuel enjoys the great outdoors, including backpacking, snowshoeing, hunting, foraging and caving.
Melissa Hamilton is a community development, ag/horticulture Extension educator in Valley County. Melissa's multi-county work is focused on rural regional planning, multi-modal transportation systems, asset/value based development, meeting facilitation and community food systems.
Tom Jacobsen is a dedicated educator with 19 years of experience teaching high school agriculture and horticulture. He is actively involved in the Idaho Master Gardener Program, Land SMART, and various community classes, where he shares his expertise and passion for sustainable gardening and land management. Through these programs, Tom continues to inspire and educate individuals of all ages, fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world and promoting environmental stewardship.
Jennifer is a Horticulture and Small Farm Extension Educator in Bonner County. She has more than six years of experience coordinating, facilitating, or hosting local workshops, regional conferences, and web- based conferences. She received certification from Holistic Management International and works with farmers to implement whole farm planning principles. Jennifer offers Cultivating Success™ programming in Bonner County and technical support to small farms in Kootenai County.
Rebecca is a Livestock and 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator in Gem and Boise Counties. She brings a wealth of experience as an Extension educator. She has technical training in animal science and work experience in 4-H Youth Development, family and consumer sciences and food systems. Rebecca's areas of expertise are produce safety, Food Safety Modernization Act, agricultural literacy, and youth development.
Cheyanne is a Livestock and Small Acreage Extension Educator in Canyon County. Her training is in Animal Science with expertise in ruminant nutrition.
Jennifer Werlin is a Community Food Systems Extension Educator in Teton County. She brings over a decade of environmental educational programming and nonprofit management experience to our program. Her focus includes educational support for small farms, farm-to-school program development, organic gardening education for adults and youth, 4-H youth development, and community development.
Desireè is the Program Manager for the University of Idaho Integrated Pest Management Program. In this capacity she works with University of Idaho experts statewide to create and share resources that facilitate safe, effective, and sustainable management of pests (insects, diseases, weeds, and more). Desireè's education and research background concerns insect ecology and management. She is located at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center.
Idaho Cultivating Success™ is brought to you by University of Idaho Extension and UI Small Farms Extension
