A Shared Vision Takes Root
When Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) began in 1986, it wasn’t just an idea, it was a movement. Educators, funders, and agricultural organizations joined forces with one mission in mind: to help students better understand where their food, fiber, and fuel come from.
That first year, MAITC distributed its inaugural Minnesota Agriculture Magazine to a target audience of 61,000 students and 2,600 educators in 1,250 schools statewide. It was an ambitious start fueled by collaboration, curiosity, and commitment to agricultural literacy.
Building a Foundation for the Future
By 1987, MAITC had officially become a nonprofit organization with a dedicated program coordinator and Board of Directors. Early fundraising efforts brought in over $40,000 from companies, commodity groups, and foundations, an impressive show of confidence in the program’s vision. The Governor’s 1987-89 budget recommendation included an additional $69,000 appropriation, ensuring that MAITC could continue growing its reach.
Chair Jim Hield reflected on the organization’s early momentum, writing, “It has been exciting to be part of M-AITC’s growth this year. I believe we are well equipped to build on these initial efforts in the year ahead.”
Meet the Founding Leaders
The original Board of Directors represented a remarkable cross-section of Minnesota’s agricultural and educational leadership. Their shared expertise helped shape the foundation for decades of agricultural literacy:
- Jim Hield, Cargill – Chair
- Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Petroleum Council – Vice Chair
- Dr. Bruce Dalgaard, Minnesota Council on Economic Education – Secretary
- Dr. Rollin Denniston, Minnesota Department of Agriculture – Treasurer
- Allen Gerber, Minnesota Association of Cooperatives
- Dennis Jackson, Mankato AVTI
- Jim Kemp, Hennepin County Extension
- Rollie Lake, Communicating for Agriculture
- Dr. Richard Sauer, University of Minnesota
- Nan Skelton, Minnesota Department of Education
- Dave Sorensen, General Mills
- Beva Lee Degriesles-Wunderlich, Duluth Public Schools
- Al Withers, Minnesota Department of Agriculture – Program Director
Honoring 40 Years of Growth
As we celebrate 40 years of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom, we honor these early champions who laid the groundwork for agricultural literacy in our state. Their vision continues to guide our mission to connect students to agriculture and help them see the value it brings to everyday life.
Stay tuned for more stories from our founding Board of Directors and the milestones that shaped MAITC’s journey.