The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 25 in 2025 Scholarship, supporting 25 dedicated Minnesota educators to attend the 2025 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Minneapolis from June 23-26, 2025. This opportunity is made possible thanks to the generosity of our investors who believe in empowering teachers to bring agriculture into their classrooms.
A Statewide Impact
These scholarship winners represent communities across Minnesota, from the bustling Twin Cities to the scenic North Shore. They hail from schools in Lanesboro, Rogers, Circle Pines, Owatonna, Princeton, Buffalo, Plymouth, Grove City, Hancock, Worthington, Mizpah, Inver Grove Heights, Fort Ripley, Montevideo, Red Lake Falls, Kelliher, Red Lake, Northfield, Lake City, Grand Rapids, Mapleton, Minnetonka, and Eagan. The reach of this initiative spans urban, suburban, and rural districts, ensuring agricultural literacy impacts students statewide.
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom impacts 88% of public school districts across the state. This scholarship further extends that reach, empowering educators to inspire agricultural literacy in their classrooms and communities.
A Professional Learning Cohort
Thanks to our investors' support, these educators will attend more than the conference—they will become a Professional Learning Cohort. One educator who applied was especially excited about the cohort opportunity, recognizing that its impact extends beyond the conference. By joining a collaborative group, educators commit to a year of continued learning, sharing ideas, and providing professional development in their school district. This ongoing support helps strengthen agricultural literacy, starting in the classroom and reaching into communities.
Why Agricultural Literacy Matters
The National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference provides a premier professional development opportunity focused on teaching through the lens of agriculture, food and natural resources. Educators will engage in hands-on learning through agriculture-focused tours, interactive sessions with skilled presenters, and dynamic keynote speakers. By attending, they gain valuable resources to infuse agriculture into core curricula, helping students understand the importance of agriculture in their daily lives.
Celebrating Our 2025 Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the following educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to integrating agriculture into their classrooms:
- Jody Ruen – Lanesboro Public School, Lanesboro
- Beth Sletta – Minnesota Virtual Academy, Rogers
- Kerry Schulte – AFSA K-12 Charter School, Circle Pines
- Kimberly Penning – Owatonna High School, Owatonna
- Carrie Stencel – Princeton Intermediate School, Princeton
- McKenzie Gregory – Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School, Buffalo
- Andrea Finnigsmier – Thomas Lake Elementary, Eagan
- Lisa Patrick – Minnetonka High School, Plymouth
- Savannah Stafford – Lake Ripley Elementary School, Grove City
- Tiffany Kobbermann – Minnewaska High School, Hancock
- Julie Bauman – Prairie Elementary, Worthington
- Libby Wickum – Northome School, Mizpah
- Beth Gruenke – Hilltop Elementary, Inver Grove Heights
- Carrie Allord – St. Francis, Fort Ripley
- Meghan Sunderland – MACCRAY, Montevideo
- Hannah Seeger – JA Hughes, Red Lake Falls
- Renae Swanson – Red Lake Elementary, Red Lake, located in the Red Lake Nation
- Tiffany Kortbein – Greenvale Park Elementary, Northfield
- Marie Kruse – Bluff View Elementary, Lake City
- Haven Fillbrandt – Northern Light Community School, Grand Rapids
- Heather More – Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Elementary, Mapleton
- Sara Browen – Worthington Middle School, Worthington
- Amy Mastin – Kelliher High School, Kelliher
- Jeni Braidenbach – Minnetonka High School, Minnetonka
- Jodi Landro – Thomas Lake Elementary, Eagan
A Special Thank You to Our Investors
This incredible opportunity wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of our investors. Thank you for believing in our mission and for empowering educators to inspire the next generation of agricultural thinkers and leaders. Your investment makes a lasting impact, not only on these 25 educators but on the countless students they influence.
Looking Ahead
We are excited to see how these educators bring agricultural literacy into their classrooms and communities, enriching students' understanding of agriculture. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey and the impact of the Professional Learning Cohort. Together, we are growing agricultural literacy—one classroom at a time.