Welcome to the 2026 class of Minnesota Agricultural Education Interns! These future agriculture teachers are spending the summer working alongside experienced Minnesota instructors to gain real-world insight into teaching, FFA advising, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project support, summer programming, classroom preparation, and community engagement.
Throughout the summer, the interns will also take over the Teach Ag Minnesota social media channels to share their stories. Follow along to learn more about their professional growth, teaching experiences, and commitment to agricultural education.
This internship is made possible by generous support from AgCountry Farm Credit Services, CHS Inc., Christensen Farms, Compeer Financial, and the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC).
Katie Ketchum
Katie Ketchum is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. This summer, she is looking forward to connecting with agricultural educators, industry professionals, students, FFA members, and the other interns. She is also excited to grow both professionally and personally.
“I love that I am able to combine two of my passions, agriculture and teaching, to help be a part of teaching the next generations about food, fuel, and fiber. I also love that there are a ton of different ways to teach a course and make it your own as a teacher."
- AFNR Pathway Interest: Animal Systems
- Most Excited to Teach: Animal Science, Food Science, Plant Science, Leadership, Intro to Ag
- College Course Highlight: The connections she has made and the doors that have been opened to her
- Internship Placement: Chatfield & St. Charles High Schools
Holly Hughes
Holly Hughes is a junior at South Dakota State University. She is excited to gain hands-on experience teaching and inspiring students about agriculture while continuing to grow her own knowledge in the field. She is especially looking forward to building connections and making a positive impact through agricultural education.
“I was drawn to agricultural education through my experiences in FFA and working in my school’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) garden, but what truly inspired me was the impact it had on the students around me. I saw how hands-on learning sparked confidence, curiosity, and passion in others, and I want to be part of creating those same experiences.”
- AFNR Pathway Interest: Plant Systems
- Most Excited to Teach: Horticulture, Floral Design, Shop Classes, Exploratory Ag Classes
- College Course Highlight: Practicum and field experience courses
- Internship Placement: Glencoe-Silver Lake High School
Sarah Jensen
Sarah Jensen is a junior at Minnesota State University, Mankato. This summer, she wants to gain a deeper understanding of what being an agriculture teacher means and experience Minnesota agriculture and FFA for the first time as she grew up in Wisconsin. She is looking forward to learning how to become a better teacher and bringing new tips and ideas into her future classroom.
“FFA helped shape who I am as a leader and as a person. I am drawn to agricultural education to share my passion for agriculture with future generations of leaders and help build the leaders of tomorrow.”
- AFNR Pathway Interest: Plant Systems
- Most Excited to Teach: Horticulture and Small Animals
- College Course Highlight: General Ecology and Genetics
- Internship Placement: Sleepy Eye High School
Ellie Hoffman
Ellie Hoffman is a senior at North Dakota State University. This summer, she is looking forward to gaining more knowledge and experience from an advisor standpoint while continuing to grow as a future agriculture teacher.
“Agricultural education offers countless opportunities and allows individuals to be part of shaping the future of agriculture. Being able to see students’ faces light up when they learn something new or finally understand a concept is one of the main reasons I chose to pursue education. Throughout my life, I knew I wanted to work in a field centered around education, but my involvement in FFA and the strong influence of my advisors helped guide me specifically toward agricultural education.”
- AFNR Pathway Interest: Plant Systems
- Most Excited to Teach: Small Animal Science, Livestock Science, Horticulture
- College Course Highlight: Plant science-focused coursework and hands-on learning experiences
- Internship Placement: Hawley High School
Chloe Hanson
Chloe Hanson is a junior at South Dakota State University. This summer, she is looking forward to learning more about FFA and attending agricultural education workshops as part of her internship experience.
“Growing up, I was very active in 4-H and met many great educators who were passionate about educating the world about the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives. I also really enjoy agricultural education because you get to learn many different skills and gain knowledge in tons of different pathways.”
- AFNR Pathway Interest: Animal Systems
- Most Excited to Teach: Animal Science, Dairy Foods, Horticulture
- College Course Highlight: Dairy Foods
- Internship Placement: Humboldt (St. Paul) & Zumbrota-Mazeppa High Schools
Gracie Sellner
Gracie Sellner is a senior at South Dakota State University. This summer, she is excited to see the behind-the-scenes work that agriculture teachers and FFA advisors do for their programs that FFA members do not always see.
“Ever since I was a little girl running around my family’s farm in my teal dress and red boots, I always knew I wanted to be a part of the agricultural industry. It wasn’t until I received my very first FFA officer polo when I was a freshman in high school that I knew I wanted to follow my dream of being an agricultural educator for high school students.”
- AFNR Pathway Interest: Animal Systems
- Most Excited to Teach: Animal Science, Agricultural Mechanics, Welding, Intro to Ag
- College Course Highlight: Welding, Teaching and Learning, Dairy Foods, Ag Mechanics, and Electrical
- Internship Placement: Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart High School
Supporting the Next Generation of Agriculture Teachers
The 2026 Minnesota Agricultural Education Interns are passionate, driven, and ready to lead. This summer, they will gain real-world experience in classrooms and communities across the state, learning what it means to teach, mentor, and inspire through agricultural education.
Follow along throughout the summer as they share stories, support students, learn from experienced agriculture teachers, and help shape the future of agricultural education in Minnesota.