By Marlene Fritz (208/364-4010 In Boise)

BOISE, Idaho–Steven Hines, agriculture science and technology instructor and FFA advisor at Castleford High School, will join the faculty of the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System as Valley County extension educator on Jan. 17.

Hines has taught at Castleford since 1994. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture education from the University of Idaho and was an agriculture instructor at Filer High School from 1992 to 1994.

In Valley County, Hines will provide overall leadership and organization for University of Idaho extension programs in community, leadership, volunteer and 4-H youth development. He will also serve as chair of the Valley County Extension Office.

"I am just excited about the opportunity to live and work with the people of Valley County," he says. "I feel like I’ve had a vested interest in the area for many years."

Hines grew up on a Kuna farm and vacationed from the time he was a boy at his parents’ cabin on West Mountain. He is committed to helping Valley County communities develop consistently with their rural heritage and character. "I am concerned about young people not coming back," says the long-time teacher. "Young people need opportunities."

Hines is currently president of the Idaho Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association. He has trained numerous FFA teams that have won contests on the district and state levels. His teaching experience includes leadership, agricultural economics, natural resources, plant science and soil science.

He succeeds Linda Webb, now the University of Idaho’s extension 4-H youth specialist at Caldwell.