Cultivating the Future

How ITCA Brings Hands-On Agriculture Education to Virtual Students

At Idaho Technical Career Academy (ITCA), agriculture education is more than just learning about farming. It’s about understanding the industry that sustains us, developing critical-thinking skills, and preparing students for careers in high-demand fields. Through hands-on learning experiences, ITCA makes agriculture education accessible to students across Idaho, no matter where they live.

The Importance of Agriculture Education

March is National Agriculture Month, a time to recognize agriculture’s role in our daily lives and economy. Agriculture is the backbone of Idaho, but many students have little exposure to the industry that fuels our communities. With a workforce shortage affecting Idaho’s dairy, crop production, and agribusiness sectors, agricultural education programs are critical in preparing students for careers that will sustain the industry for years to come.

A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University projected nearly 60,000 job openings per year in food, agriculture, and environmental fields, but not enough qualified graduates to fill them. By introducing students to career pathways early and equipping them with real-world skills and industry certifications, ITCA is helping bridge this workforce gap.

Bringing Agriculture to the Virtual Classroom

ITCA Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor Abigail Heikes is dedicated to making agricultural education engaging in an online setting. After transitioning from a traditional classroom, Heikes built a fully functional agricultural learning lab at her home, allowing students to participate in hands-on learning from anywhere.

“When I got hired with ITCA, I made some phone calls and said, ‘What would this look like for there to be a virtual ag program?’ And I got a lot of, ‘It’s not possible,’” Heikes told KTVB-TV, Channel 7, in a recent interview.

Determined to provide students with real-world experiences, Heikes secured grants to expand her program. Now, students receive kits with seeds, soil, and grow lights, enabling them to cultivate plants alongside their instructor.

“This is our plant science lab, our greenhouse. We currently have just over 700 seedlings in here,” Heikes said. “We worked together to get all of these planted.”

In her animal science class, students receive real lab materials—such as fetal pigs for dissection—so they can engage in hands-on experiments at home.

Career-Ready Skills and Industry Certifications

Agriculture education at ITCA isn’t just about growing plants and raising animals. It’s about preparing students for careers in:

• Animal science and livestock management
• Plant systems and sustainable agriculture
• Food production and safety
• Environmental science and agribusiness

Students also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, setting them apart as they enter the workforce or continue their education.

FFA and Leadership Development

Beyond technical skills, ITCA’s FFA program helps students develop leadership, teamwork, and public speaking abilities. Heikes, who serves as the virtual FFA adviser, ensures that students participate in competitions, events, and leadership training across the state. These experiences help students build confidence and make valuable industry connections.

“I think it’s an important life skill for them,” Heikes said. “They’re articulating important concepts to others around them, and they grow in their leadership skills and understanding of how our environment and our planet work.”

Celebrating Agriculture Month

At ITCA, we are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of location, can engage with agriculture in meaningful ways. By investing in agriculture education, we’re not just preparing students for jobs, we’re cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Want to explore how agriculture education can shape your future? Visit ITCA’s Agriculture Career Prep page to learn more about the program and how you can gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and leadership opportunities.

Join us in celebrating National Agriculture Month by discovering how ITCA prepares students for careers in one of Idaho’s most vital industries!

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