Instructor

Michael Spiess

Mike has a B.S. in Agriculture (agricultural mechanics) from CSU, Chico, a M.S. in Plant Science (irrigation) from Fresno State, and a doctorate from U.C. Davis & CSUF. He is a former vocational agriculture teacher and spent 13 years designing and supporting agricultural accounting software. Previously he taught in the Plant Science Department and served as general manager of the Agricultural Information Technology Network (ATI-Net) which is part of the California Agricultural Technology Institute (CATI) at Fresno State. Currently he teaches Ag Engineering Technology in the College of Agriculture at Chico State. He also owns a consulting business specializing in Internet solutions for businesses and education.

In his free time, he enjoys flying small airplanes, fly fishing, backpacking, caving, and softball. He has served on the Boards of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, University Hope and the Northern California Regional Land Trust and has continuing interests with land trusts and affordable housing organizations. Currently he is an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 316 in Paradise and advises the Western Cave Conservancy (a land trust). Mike is a life member of the California Agricultural Teachers' Association, a life member of the the American Association for Agricultural Education, a life member of NACTA, life member of the National Speleological Society, and a member of the Cave Research Foundation.

He can be reached at (530) 898-4554 or by e-mail at mspiess@csuchico.edu. Vita

Photo Gallery

Backpacking in Ionian Basin (Kings Canyon NP) with Scouts

	Caving with Will at Kings Canyon NP (2008), a CRF project
Kate and Will and our 1930 Model "A" (2008)
	Weekend getaway to Surprise Valley (hot Springs) with Pat (2007)
Cycling with the Scouts on the Bizz Johnson trail (2007)
	Backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness (2007)
Building our shop (2006) at home.

Hiking the Canadian Rockies (2006)
< Mount Coleman from Sunset Pass
Athabasca Falls >

Backcountry skiing at Mt. Shasta (2006)

Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness (2005)

Family hiking at Darwin Falls (near Death Valley, 2003)

Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail in Lassen Park (2003)

< Will finding shade at Red Rock Canyon State Park (2003)

Kate free climbing at Fossil Falls >

Mike and Kate caving at Lilburn Cave (2003)

At Marble Canyon (Grand Canyon). Flew in for breakfast from Kanab, Utah.
	Wildflowers below Silver Peak in the John Muir Wilderness
Over Lake Powell after a dawn takeoff from Bullfrog Airport.
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