The 2026 Minnesota Agricultural Education Intern spotlight series continues with Holly Hughes, an Agricultural Education student at South Dakota State University. This summer, Holly is interning with Rebekka Paskewitz at Glencoe-Silver Lake High School, where she is gaining hands-on experience in the classroom, through FFA, and at community events.
Holly grew up in Winsted, Minnesota, and graduated from Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School. She is currently majoring in Agricultural Education with a minor in Agricultural Business at South Dakota State University, where she is involved as a CAFES Ambassador, Teach Ag Ambassador, Little International Floral Assistant Superintendent, and a member of Collegiate FFA/AgEd, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Sigma Alpha Sorority.
Finding Her Path in Agricultural Education
FFA played an important role in shaping Holly’s path toward agricultural education. Through leadership development, career development events, community service, and agricultural advocacy, she found opportunities to grow and discover her passion for teaching about agriculture, food and natural resources.
“I was drawn to agricultural education through my experiences in FFA and working in my school’s CSA garden, but what truly inspired me was the impact it had on the students around me,” Holly shared. “I saw how hands-on learning sparked confidence, curiosity, and passion in others, and I want to be part of creating those same experiences.”
That passion has continued to grow through her internship at Glencoe-Silver Lake.
Learning Through the Glencoe-Silver Lake Program
During her Teach Ag Minnesota takeover, Holly highlighted the Glencoe-Silver Lake Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) program and FFA chapter. The program serves students in grades 7-12 and offers hands-on learning through facilities like a new greenhouse, garden beds, school forest, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plot, and welding and engines shops.
Students also gain real-world experience through activities such as meat cutting, fishing rod building, farm and industry tours, and class-based businesses connected to the crop plot, greenhouse, and shops.
“Being part of this program for the summer has shown me the impact that agricultural education can have on students and communities,” Holly shared. “The opportunities, leadership development, and hands-on experiences provided through agricultural education truly make a difference!”
Connecting Agriculture to the Community
One of Holly’s biggest takeaways has been seeing how AFNR education extends beyond the classroom. This summer, she attended Urban Ag Day at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, planned and taught an Agriculture in the Classroom lesson, helped create educational materials for Glencoe Dairy Days, and worked on display posters for Cultural Food Day at the McLeod County Fairgrounds.
During her Agriculture in the Classroom lesson, Holly taught elementary students about plant health and what plants need to grow and thrive. After the lesson, students planted flowers and vegetables in the ECFE outdoor classroom garden.
“It was exciting to see their curiosity and enthusiasm as they learned about agriculture through doing!”
These experiences have helped Holly see the many roles agricultural educators play, from classroom instruction to agricultural literacy and community engagement.
Looking Ahead
As Holly wrapped up her Teach Ag Minnesota takeover, she reflected on the value of the experience and the people who made it possible.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I get to have this summer,” Holly shared. “Every experience has strengthened my passion for agricultural education and confirmed that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.”
Holly is looking forward to continuing her college journey and working toward her goal of becoming an agricultural educator in Minnesota.
Follow along with Teach Ag Minnesota as more 2026 Agricultural Education interns share their summer experiences and the many ways AFNR education is making an impact across Minnesota.