Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, 3rd Edition

is a professor and serves as the Program Coordinator for Agricultural Education in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications at Texas Tech University. Dr. Rayfield earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Auburn University, his master's degree in agricultural extension from the University of Georgia, and his doctorate in agricultural education from Texas Tech University. In 2001, his school's FFA chapter was recognized as the Outstanding Middle School Program in the nation by the National FFA. Dr. Rayfield has been recognized at many levels for his teaching, research, and service to agricultural education. He is a Texas Tech Integrated Scholar, an Auburn University College of Education Outstanding Alumnus, and the Journal of Agricultural Education Author of the Year. Dr. Rayfield is actively involved in livestock showing and judging. He serves as superintendent for the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest and judges junior and open livestock shows across the United States.

is an Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho. She oversees the delivery and planning for CALS academic and curriculum programs, coordinating the efforts to recruit, retain, and enhance success in CALS students, and provide support to faculty across their careers.

Dr. Smith earned her bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Utah State University and taught high school agricultural education for 11 years. Her program emphasized full integration of classroom and laboratory instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, and FFA. Recognized as a National FFA Model of Innovation chapter, her program produced numerous national proficiency award recipients and Career and Leadership Development Event winners. During her secondary teaching career, Dr. Smith received the Region I Ideas Unlimited Award and a National Association of Agricultural Educators Teacher Turn the Key Award. She also served as an officer in the Utah Association of Agricultural Educators, and on the Utah State Department of Education Instructional Materials Review Committee and led multiple curriculum development initiatives.

Dr. Smith earned her doctoral degree from Texas A&M University and joined the University of Idaho faculty in 2016. Her work centers on teacher preparation, experiential learning, work-ready skill development, and instructional communication in agricultural education. She continues preparing educators across the Pacific Northwest and lives on a working agricultural operation in northern Idaho, where her family manages cattle, sheep, and forage crop production alongside an equestrian facility.

is a professor of agricultural education at North Carolina State University, where he instructs the teaching methods course and coordinates student teaching. He assists with Developing Educational Leaders and Teachers of Agriculture (DELTA), an alternative licensure professional development program for agriculture teachers in North Carolina. Dr. Park earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Purdue University in agricultural education. Upon graduation, he received the 1996 G. A. Ross Award, which recognizes the outstanding senior graduating class. After Purdue, Dr. Park taught agriculture at Tri-County High School in Wolcott, Indiana, for five years, during which his program was recognized as one of the top agriculture programs in the nation. The Tri-County FFA Chapter was a national three-star chapter for most of his tenure. Dr. Park earned his doctoral degree from the University of Florida in 2005. He is the Program Coordinator for Agricultural Education in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences; he is a Fellow of the American Association for Agricultural Education; and he has served as President of the National Council for Agricultural Education. Dr. Park is the National Director for Agricultural Education, National FFA Adviser, and Chair of the National FFA Board of Directors. His research focuses on agricultural literacy, teacher professional development, and engagement with agriculture. Dr. Park is an avid backpacker, gardener, and beekeeper.

has over 38 years of experience in agricultural and extension education. He is currently a professor in agricultural leadership, education, and communication at the University of Georgia and the undergraduate program coordinator for the University of Georgia Tifton campus. His interest in the field began as a high school junior when he coached his first dairy judging team for the local junior high school FFA program. Dr. Croom began his professional career as a high school agricultural education teacher. While teaching full-time, he earned his master's in agricultural education. While a high school teacher, Dr. Croom was chosen by the National FFA Organization to develop and present in-service workshops to teachers nationwide. His students received state and national recognition for academic achievement. He has earned both the American FFA Degree and the Honorary American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization. In 1996, Dr. Croom became an extension associate responsible for the statewide FFA Program at North Carolina State University.

After earning his doctoral degree in 1999, Dr. Croom advanced through various roles, becoming an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor at North Carolina State University. He has served as an agriculture teacher, teacher educator, extension associate, state education staff member, professor, and university administrator. Dr. Croom has taught courses in leadership, communication, experiential learning, instructional methodology, educational program planning, and youth development. He maintains a research program that focuses on effective teaching, career and technical education policy, and historical studies in agricultural and extension education.