This summer, Teach Ag Minnesota is shining the spotlight on Kaylee Steele, one of our 2025 Agricultural Education Interns, as she dives into hands-on agricultural education experiences at Chatfield High School. Kaylee, a senior at South Dakota State University and graduate of Lewiston-Altura High School, is interning under the guidance of agriculture teacher Stacy Fritz. Her recent social media takeover gave followers an inside look at her busy and rewarding summer in the world of agriculture, food and natural resources education.
Coaching and Learning in the Field
One of Kaylee’s most memorable hands-on agricultural education experiences this summer has been working with Chatfield’s FFA Crop Scouting team. The team is preparing for a July competition hosted by the University of Minnesota, and Kaylee is helping coach them through identification skills and agronomic knowledge. She brought in agronomist, Van Larson, and farmer, Mitchel Berry, to share their expertise and engage students in weed and insect identification. As Kaylee shared, “These kids are willing to learn, and I am super excited for the opportunity to help coach them!”
Agricultural Literacy in Action
Kaylee is also helping bring agricultural literacy to life for younger students and community members. She is updating the swine exhibit for Chatfield FFA’s Little Farm Hands booth at the Fillmore County Fair, an interactive display that teaches children about apples, dairy, vegetables, livestock, and more. Another highlight has been planning Chatfield’s Agriculture Day Camp, a four-day experience for middle school students. Kaylee is developing engaging lessons and tours for the August event, including visits to Hammel Equipment and Hinckley Dairy.
Professional Growth and Peer Connections
Beyond classroom and community outreach, Kaylee’s hands-on agriculture, food and natural resources education experiences include collaborating with fellow interns, helping judge Pennsylvania’s National Chapter Awards, and working on curriculum and resource development for her upcoming student teaching semester. She even managed to find time for her summer passion: showing pigs at shows across Minnesota.
Kaylee’s week showcased the variety and depth of hands-on agricultural education experiences that prepare future teachers for the classroom and beyond. Her passion, creativity, and leadership are helping lay the foundation for a successful career in agricultural education.
Follow Teach Ag MN to hear more stories from interns like Kaylee, who are the future agricultural educators.