This summer, Minnesota Teach Ag welcomed University of Wisconsin-River Falls senior Amy Jentges as part of our 2025 Minnesota Agricultural Education Internship program. Amy split her time between Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Lake City High Schools under the guidance of cooperating teachers Nikki Flaaen and Haely Leiding. Her weeklong social media takeover gave followers an inside look at the variety, purpose, and excitement packed into a summer of agriculture, food and natural resources education experiences.
Wisconsin Roots, Minnesota Future
Originally from southeastern Wisconsin, Amy grew up immersed in agriculture, showing dairy cattle, beef cattle, and pigs. That passion sparked a drive to educate others about agriculture’s importance and impact, leading her to pursue an agricultural education degree at UW-River Falls. This fall, she will begin her final semester before student teaching in the spring, and she hopes to make Minnesota her home as a future teacher.
Strengthening Skills Through CDE Bootcamp
One of Amy’s summer highlights was attending the Career Development Event (CDE) Bootcamp, where she explored FFA contests like Forestry, Horse Evaluation, Agriculture Issues, and Floriculture. Her hands-on participation and collaboration with other educators helped her build valuable classroom resources while deepening her understanding of how these contests help students explore careers and develop life skills.
Creating Leadership Opportunities for FFA Officers
Amy also poured her energy into mentoring student leaders. She helped develop resources for FFA officer retreats and presented leadership workshops on advocacy and effective communication. From writing elevator pitches to practicing real-world communication, Amy’s work empowered chapter officers from Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Lake City, and Plainview-Elgin-Millville to step confidently into their roles.
Exploring Agriculture Beyond the Classroom
Through Lake City’s Summer Agriculture Tour, Amy led students on visits to ADM in Red Wing, a specialty flax processing facility, and the Lake City Catholic Workers Farm, where students learned about kombucha production and sustainable agriculture. These experiences showcased agriculture’s incredible diversity and the creative, meaningful work happening in local communities.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on her internship, Amy shared her deep gratitude for the relationships, experiences, and inspiration she gained throughout the summer:
“This experience has been incredibly impactful, and I am so excited for where it will lead me! Thank you to all the sponsors and stakeholders that make this experience possible.”
As Amy wraps up her summer and heads into her final semester, she carries with her the confidence, leadership, and practical tools to succeed as a future agriculture educator. We’re proud to spotlight Amy’s journey and can’t wait to see how she continues to make a difference.
Follow Minnesota Teach Ag for this summer’s last intern spotlight and inspiration from the next generation of agricultural educators.