James Summers
Preston, Idaho
After 41 years in the classroom, educator James Summers has been named to the 2020 Class of inductees to the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. Summers was chosen for the honor based on his influence on students who have gone on with careers in agriculture and in agricultural education.
Born on a dairy and row crop farm in Tremonton, Utah, Summers grew up loving agriculture and the FFA program, a program he has supported throughout his life. He earned a B.S. degree Ag Education from USU in 1974, followed by a M.S. in 1980. His career at West Side High spanned from 1974-2015.
During his tenure at West Side High, Summers was able to restructure a failing ag program into a successful and powerful source for hands-on learning in agriculture. Through his efforts, the ag shop was continually upgraded to meet current technology and industry requirements for skills and job readiness. Most of the improvements were made with limited funds and through community grants and mobilizing local “elbow grease”.
After retiring from teaching at Dayton’s West Side High School in 2015, Summers served as a cooperating teacher/mentor for 36 Utah State University teachers and five student teachers from the University of Idaho.