Acknowledging Our Supporters
The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Foundation (MAITC) extends sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the creation of this strategic plan. Your insights and collaboration have helped shape a strong future for agricultural literacy in Minnesota.
Strategic Planning Contributors:
- Ann Marie Ward, Executive Director, MAITC Foundation
- Mark Greenwood, Board President, MAITC Foundation
- Ashley Wulf, Communications Director, Minnesota Beef Council
- Kayla Pieh, Marketing Director, Midwestern BioAg
- Jen Wagner-Lahr, Senior Director of Innovation, AURI
Special thanks to Brandon from Mustful Strategic Consulting for guiding the development of this plan with professionalism and dedication.
Mission
The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom program increases agricultural literacy through K-12 education.
Vision
Agriculture is valued by ALL.
A Message from MAITC Leadership
“At MAITC, our mission is deeply rooted in increasing agricultural literacy among Minnesota students. This strategic plan outlines our top priorities—deepening partnerships, enhancing student learning, maintaining financial strength, and using data to drive communication.
We are grateful to all contributors, especially Brandon of Mustful Strategic Consulting, for helping us align vision with strategy. Together, we look forward to furthering our impact and building an even stronger foundation for agriculture in education.”
With appreciation,
Mark Greenwood, Chair
Ann Marie Ward, Executive Director
Goal 1: Strengthen Relationships with Educators and Industry Partners
We aim to maintain and deepen relationships with educators, investors, and agriculture advocates to broaden our impact statewide.
Key Metrics:
- School district and county engagement coverage
- Year-over-year educator retention
- Volume of educator and community partnerships
- Donor engagement in annual activities
- Consistent communication and contractor performance
Goal 3: Maintain a Strong Financial Foundation
Long-term success requires a diverse, stable funding model supported by strong relationships and transparent practices.
Key Metrics:
- Revenue source diversification
- Balance of administrative vs. program expenses
- Actual vs. budget financial performance
- Donation frequency, size, and retention rates
- Strength of investor relationships and recurring gifts
Goal 2: Expand Student Understanding of Agriculture and Careers
We are committed to enhancing student awareness of agriculture as a vibrant industry with diverse career opportunities.
Key Metrics:
- Improvement in student learning via pre/post assessments
- Distribution and use of AgMags
- Access and usage of career exploration tools
- Student reach via partners and programs
Goal 4: Engage Key Audiences with Data-Driven Communication
We aim to communicate our impact effectively and grow our audience using meaningful data and storytelling.
Key Metrics:
- Growth in website and social media engagement
- Program-level data collection integration
- Quality of storytelling in annual and impact reports
Advancing Agricultural Literacy Through Strategic Planning
Our strategic plan serves as a dynamic guide for MAITC’s efforts to expand agricultural literacy across K–12 classrooms in Minnesota. The plan incorporates input from stakeholders, educators, and supporters, ensuring it is grounded in real needs and opportunities. It is designed to be adaptive and responsive to evolving educational environments and community priorities.
Join us in harnessing agricultural knowledge for a brighter tomorrow.
Together, let's cultivate an agriculturally literate society and empower future generations with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vital role agriculture plays in our daily lives.
