UMN Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing

This past week, faculty, alumni, collaborators, and friends of the UMN Agricultural Education, Communication & Marketing (AECM) program represented well at the 2026 American Association for Agricultural Education National Conference in St. Petersburg, FL!

- Associate Professor, Amy Smith co-presented a research presentation highlighting parental perceptions of AFNR opportunities for their children, with alum, Joe Ramstad.
- Smith also presented a research presentation and poster related to the national Ag Ed Supply & Demand study, alongside colleagues from Utah State, Chico State, Penn State, and NAAE.
- Ramstad was also recognized for distinguished research and presented multiple presentations on SBAE quality, professional development, and teacher preparation.
- Current doctoral student, Natasha Mortenson’s research poster applying the Working Genius framework to SBAE teacher retention was presented by alum, Lavyne Rada, and Smith.
- Several also engaged in the Teacher Education Caucus, contributing to important national conversations shaping the future of agricultural education.

While the 2026 conference certainly had its highlights, we are already looking forward to 2027! UMN AECM will be partnering with North Dakota State University to co-host the 2027 AAAE National Conference right here in Minneapolis. We can’t wait to welcome the agricultural education community to the Upper Midwest!

Gophers Abroad Update: While in Crete we visited an olive press facility, a sheep dairy, and we had a cooking class! The views, beaches, and island vibes were amazing! Off we go to our final destination, Thessaloniki!

Gophers Abroad Update! We wrapped up our time in and around Athens with a visit to an organic farm focusing on citrus production. While there, students learned about the grafting process and how it allows them to grow multiple varieties of citrus. They also made some stellar orange cookies!

We also spent a night in the beautiful city of Nafplio, followed by learning about types of olive oil and the tasting process!

We’re now boarding our flight for the island of Crete!

Over the next two weeks, we’re excited to highlight the incredible experiences of students enrolled in Dr. Steede’s learning abroad course, Greek Agriculture and Gastronomy: A Taste of the Mediterranean! 🇬🇷🍋🍷

From exploring traditional Greek cuisine and local food systems to experiencing the culture, history, and hospitality of Greece firsthand, students are immersing themselves in the flavors and stories that make the Mediterranean so unique.

Follow along as we share these unique cultural learning experiences!

Congratulations to Traci Walkowski on defending her capstone project today titled Survive, Sustain, Govern: Developing an Interdisciplinary Agricultural Curriculum Model Through a Lord of the Flies Survival Simulation. Traci will be graduating with a Master of Science in Agricultural Education & Communication. She was advised by Dr. Amy Smith with committee members Dr. Kriby Schmidt and Dr. Garrett Steede. Congratulations, Traci!

Congratulations to all of our outstanding 2026 graduates! 🎓 YOU DID IT! Best wishes on your future journeys! 🎉👩🏽‍🎓👨🏻‍🎓🧑🏿‍🎓🎓🥳 〽️💛

Minnesota FFA is growing! Three new chapters received their charter at this years convention: Eden Prairie, Swanville, and Northern Lights Community School -CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉🥳

With this continued growth means the need for ag teachers continues to grow.

Liv Vander Kooi (right) has decided to answer that call and signed a “Commitment to Teach Ag” and join us at the U of M Twin Cities this fall to pursue her dreams in Ag Education! We are thrilled to welcome her and help her begin her journey!

The St. Paul Campus was buzzing today with FFA Members from across the state competing in Career Development Events. Our AECM program hosts and coordinates several of these contests including the national-qualifying Agricultural Communications CDE. This is always a highlight of our year and we hope to see many of them back on campus as Gophers soon. A special thank you goes out ACM alumna Bailey Ruen and Minnesota Pork for serving as our client this year! Ski-U-Mah!

🌟Fall course spotlight🌟 With registration in full swing, take a look at AECM 2221W, Foundations of Leadership Practice, for fall 2026. This 3 credit course meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m to 1:00 p.m on the St. Paul campus.

In it you’ll learn to master personal leadership through self-awareness and adaptive decision-making skills. It’s writing intensive, so you will be well prepared for organizational environments!