The 2026 Minnesota Agricultural Education Intern spotlight series continues with Chloe Hanson, an agricultural education student at South Dakota State University. This summer, Chloe is interning with Nikki Flaaen at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School and Brad Novacheck at Humboldt High School in St. Paul.
Chloe grew up in Hastings, Minnesota, and graduated from Hastings High School. She spent 11 years in the Dakota County 4-H program, primarily in the rabbit project.
This summer, Chloe has been learning the ins and outs of FFA, connecting with students and teachers, and gaining experience for her future career.
Finding Her Place in Agricultural Education
Chloe’s path toward agricultural education was shaped by her time in 4-H and the educators she met along the way.
“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,” Chloe shared. “I also really enjoy Agricultural Education because you get to learn many different skills and gain knowledge in tons of different pathways.”
Through her internship, Chloe has been able to experience many of those pathways firsthand, from student leadership and summer tours to workshops and hands-on learning opportunities.
Learning Through Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA
During her Teach Ag Minnesota social media takeover, Chloe highlighted the Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA Summer Program. Through the program, upcoming seventh graders can complete assignments, attend summer tours, and work on a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project that allows them to participate in FFA in the fall.
This summer, six students are participating in the program. Chloe shared that older Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA members visited sixth-grade students in May to talk about FFA, share snacks, play Jeopardy, and introduce students to the opportunities available through the summer program.
Chloe also joined students for Summer Agriculture Tours, with stops at Costa’s Candy in Owatonna, Little Red Dairy, and Ag Partners. Students learned how chocolate is tempered, watched the cheese-making process, met dairy calves, toured a feed mill, and explored careers connected to cooperatives and agriculture.
Exploring Agriculture in St. Paul
Chloe also shared a look at her experience with Humboldt High School in St. Paul. In May, she helped with Ag Day, which was led by Humboldt FFA members and included activities and learning stations for students.
She has also helped with Humboldt’s Summer Internship program where students have been planting, watering, weeding, and maintaining gardens and grounds. They have also worked on construction projects, including composting bins and benches.
“These kids have been working hard planting, watering, weeding, and maintaining the gardens and grounds,” Chloe shared. “They are also teaching me lots about plants.”
Other highlights from her time at Humboldt included seeing a trout release, touring a Crazy Fresh facility, and brushing up on crop scouting knowledge with students.
Growing Through Workshops and Connections
In addition to her work with Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Humboldt, Chloe had the chance to take part in several professional learning opportunities. She chaperoned the State Greenhand Leadership Conference, attended the Minnesota Association for Agricultural Educators (MAAE) Summer Conference with the other interns, and participated in a Greenhouse Management workshop hosted by MAAE and Larry Marquette.
These experiences gave Chloe the chance to connect with agricultural educators across the state, meet other interns, and continue building skills for her future classroom.
Looking Ahead
As Chloe wrapped up her Teach Ag Minnesota social media takeover, she shared her gratitude for the people who have supported her this summer.
“I want to give a huge thank you to Nikki Flaaen, Brad Novacheck, and Andrea Nthole for supporting me and helping me grow as a future teacher,” Chloe shared. “I am so grateful for their advice and encouragement these past few months!”
Chloe also thanked the Minnesota Teach Ag team for supporting her and the other interns throughout the summer.
“I’m so excited to see what the future holds, and I can’t wait to see it!”
Follow along with Teach Ag Minnesota as more 2026 agricultural education interns share their summer experiences and celebrate the future of agriculture, food and natural resources education in Minnesota.