Education
- Doctorate of Philosophy in Agricultural Education, Teacher Preparation and Distance Education, Texas A&M University (2003)
- Master of Arts in Computer Education Technology/Instructional Design Systems, University of Central Florida (2000)
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education, University of Kentucky (1996)
Biography
Dr. Peake was raised on a family farm in Knob Creek, Kentucky. He began working for the University of Georgia in February 2004. Before coming to Georgia, Dr. Peake worked as an instructor and researcher at Texas A&M University while completing his Ph.D. Prior to that, he spent four years as a high school agriscience teacher in Central Florida, teaching both middle and high school classes.
Dr. Peake has an extensive record of scholarly achievements, including over 50 refereed journal publications and more than 75 refereed or invited conference presentations. He has secured over $10 million in federal grants to support agricultural education research and program development. He is a member and Fellow of the National Association of Agricultural Educators and he previously served as Vice President in the American Association for Agricultural Education.
Current Activities
Jason Peake is a Professor within the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication and the program leader for Agricultural Education. He is a national thought leader in elementary agricultural education, shaping research, policy, and curriculum development in the field. Dr. Peake served as the editor for the Southern Region Journal of Agricultural Education, his work includes teacher preparation and technology integration.
Recent Awards
- National Association for Agricultural Education Region V Outstanding Postsecondary Program (2024)
- Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teacher Association Outstanding Postsecondary Program Award (2024)
- UGA Career Center Acknowledgement (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) – Recognized for a positive impact on undergraduate career decision-making at UGA.
- UGA Teaching Academy (2022)
- Crème of the Crop (2020) – ALEC Department Outstanding Faculty Member Award.
- Fifteen-Year Service Award (2019) – University of Georgia.
- First-Year Odyssey Seminar Program Teaching Award (2019) – University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
- Fellow (2018) – American Association for Agricultural Education, Charleston, SC.
Research and Grants
Dr. Jason Peake has secured and contributed to numerous grants totaling over $11 million, spanning professional development, agricultural literacy, elementary agricultural education, sustainability, and international collaborations. His roles include Principal Investigator (PI), Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), and grant contributor, with funding from USDA-NIFA, the National Science Foundation, Georgia commodity groups, and private organizations. Dr. Peake’s extensive grant portfolio reflects a strong commitment to agricultural literacy, professional development, sustainability, and technology integration in agricultural education. His ability to secure funding across diverse funding sources highlights his expertise in research, collaboration, and program development.
Teaching
Dr. Jason Peake is an accomplished educator with extensive experience in agricultural education, curriculum development, and instructional leadership. He has taught 23 different courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, specializing in curriculum planning, instructional strategies, research methods, and leadership development. His contributions include developing multiple new courses, such as AGED 4040/6040 Greenhouse Management for Teachers and AGED/EDUC 4361/6361 Methods of Elementary Agriscience, as well as leading the creation of the Elementary Agricultural Education minor at UGA. He has also played a significant role in advancing distance education by converting key teacher preparation courses to an online format and designing the online Master of Agricultural Leadership degree. Dr. Peake consistently receives high ratings from students, with evaluations averaging between 4.6 and 4.9 out of 5, praising his enthusiasm, organization, and ability to connect course material to real-world applications. His teaching effectiveness has been recognized by peers for his mastery of subject matter and engaging instructional methods. In addition to teaching, he has advised 238 undergraduate Agricultural Education majors with a 98% graduation rate and a 99% job placement rate. He has also served as the major professor for 41 graduate students and contributed to research resulting in multiple theses, journal articles, and national conference presentations. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Peake has demonstrated leadership in student organizations, serving as co-advisor for UGA Collegiate FFA and Alpha Tau Alpha, as well as previously advising various student government and ambassador programs. His dedication to innovative instruction, student mentorship, and program development has significantly shaped agricultural education at UGA.