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September 2026: Fall Came in With a Fury

The School Bells Rang and We Hit the Ground Running!

The arrival of September signaled more than the start of a new season. It marked the beginning of a fast-paced academic year filled with opportunities to connect, engage, and inspire. As school doors opened, our team was already on the move, navigating conferences, industry events, career fairs, tours, and immersive school experiences across the region. The energy was contagious, the calendar filled quickly, and the pace car was officially set for the year ahead. Most importantly, every conversation, partnership, and shared experience reinforced our commitment to helping students explore possibilities, strengthening connections with educators and industry partners, and building pathways that lead to future success.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

Minnesota State Fair looked a bit different for our team this year. Instead of the combine simulator being in action throughout the fair. The thousands of individuals that visited the Minnesota 4-H building had the opportunity to experience our Ag Safety Exhibit!
It was a record year of individuals visiting and having the opportunity to learn valuable farm safety lessons and witness Minnesota 4-Hers taking the lead on educating thousands of attendees through our interactive Ag Safety Trailer.
It was a reminder how a few minutes could make a lifetime of difference for farm families.
Watch the video, catch the “safety dance” rhythm, see the exhibit in action, and discover why ag safety matters to everyone.

Meet Our New Partners

Outreach & Recruitment at its Finest

Our agricultural roots run deep, but it is the strength of our partnerships that truly ensures the future of our industry. We know that we cannot achieve our mission alone.
To deepen these critical connections and amplify our impact, we are thrilled to welcome two new champions to the Teach Ag Minnesota team in dedicated outreach roles!
Please join us in giving a warm Minnesota State welcome to: Sarah Jacobs, Agriculture & Business Outreach Coordinator
Department of Agriculture, Culinology and Hospitality Management at Southwest Minnesota State University School of Agriculture and Erica Johnson, Director of Outreach and Engagement for the School of Applied Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
In their new outreach positions, Sarah and Erica will be on the ground, listening to our partners, building bridges, and driving the collaboration needed to keep Minnesota agriculture resilient and forward-looking.

Welcome to the team! We are looking forward to continuing our partnership and doing wonderful things together!

Out of the Classroom ... Into the Field

Minnesota West Agriculture Program is off to a fast start working with industry to get students out of the classroom and into the field! These are great real-world examples of how hands-on experiences can bring classroom learning to life.
Seeing the equipment, talking with industry professionals and visiting working farms gives students a better look at the many opportunities available in agriculture.

SMSU Agronomy Field Day 2026

"Cultivating Innovation in Southwest Minnesota."

What a great (and VERY windy) event at the SMSU Agronomy Field Trials Farm in Marshall in collaborating with our partners from Southwest Minnesota State University!
The 11th Annual SMSU Agronomy Field Day brought together producers, industry professionals, students, and community members for a day of learning and connection in the field.
Participants explored current field trials, discussed emerging agronomic practices, and gained insights that can be applied directly to today’s agricultural challenges. Plot tours following the program provided a firsthand look at the research taking place and the data being generated. Great job Southwest Minnesota State University School of Agriculture team!
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National Farm Safety and Health Week

As our communities prepare for harvest, it’s an important time to put farm safety front and center.
Harvest is one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. Long days, tight schedules and changing conditions can make it easy to overlook safety. Taking a little extra time to slow down, stay alert and look out for one another can make a big difference.

Ag Safety Leaders - Minnesota in Morgan, MN

As we reflected on National Farm Safety and Health Week 2026 and this year’s theme, “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow,” we had the opportunity  to recognize the ACSD – Ag Cooperative Safety Directors – Minnesota for their commitment to advancing agricultural safety through education, networking, and professional development.
Courtney joined the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office in presenting on fire prevention in rural communities while providing hands-on demonstrations with the Ag Safety Trailer. It was a great day of learning, collaboration, and sharing safety resources with agricultural professionals from across Minnesota.
Thank you to Farmward Cooperative for hosting this outstanding group in Morgan!
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Career Quest : Austin Aspires

An amazing day of hands-on learning at the Austin Aspires / FutureForward CareerQuest event at Riverland Community College!
High school students explored career pathways through interactive activities led by local businesses, industry professionals, educators, and community partners. CareerQuest connected classroom learning to real opportunities in Southern Minnesota and beyond, helping students discover careers, build industry awareness, and engage with the many pathways available right in their own communities.
Events like CareerQuest continue to support Austin Aspire’s vision of educational excellence from cradle to career, preparing students for future success through meaningful career exploration and community partnerships.
Shoutout to Erica Johnson, Director of Outreach and Engagement for the School of Applied Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at Minnesota State University, Mankato for joining in and jumping in on the action!

Southwest Minnesota Career Expo

The Southwest Minnesota Career Expo organized by the SWWC Service Cooperative and LYFT Career Pathways took place on September 23rd ,at Minnesota West Community & Technical College.

High school students, adult basic education students, and regional workforce participants connected with local businesses, agencies, educational partners, and industry professionals through interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences. Sponsored by the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, SWWC Service Cooperative and the Southwest Initiative Foundation , the event showcased the many career pathways and opportunities available throughout the region.
It was inspiring to see students engaging with employers, exploring future careers, and building connections that can help shape their next steps. As an added bonus, Courtney even had the opportunity to catch up with two of our Farm Business Management rockstars over lunch! In addition, she had time to showcase a few of our partners. Southwest Minnesota State University the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence.
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Preparing Missouri's Next Generation of Farmers

Tina had the opportunity to present and work with the University of Missouri Extension team last week.  She spoke for an hour to a group of 25 agricultural professionals on all the work we are doing at SACE in Farm Transition Education.  I spoke on the survey and its results and then the work that we are doing through retreats and Jim/Kathy.  I also talked about our MN FBM statewide program and how that is a real asset for our FT education work.  They had many questions on the retreat topics and how we are aiding beginning farmers in MN.

Celebrating Teach Ag Day

What a fun day it was to celebrate Teach Ag Day!
We spent the day learning alongside Minnesota FFA Association students from across the region at two incredible southern Minnesota destinations — UMN Southern Research & Outreach Center and Farmamerica – The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center.
Each event had its own unique activities, plenty of hands-on learning, and was just plain awesome! And, there was some delicious food along the way; all made possible by the hard work of local farmers.
It was a homerun of a day seeing so many great learning experiences come together at two of southern Minnesota’s agricultural gems only a few miles from each other. We’re grateful to have been part of it and to have been able to allow someone to job shadow us to learn more about what we do!
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Cannon Valley Ranch Immersive Farm Tour

Farm to Table in the Backyard.

Courtney had the opportunity to facilitate a unique farm-to-table learning experience at Cannon Valley Ranch for Goodhue Public School students in grades 7-9 through Mainstreet Businesses focused on Feeding America (MBFFA) funding. The tour was designed to provide students with a firsthand look at agriculture, helping them better understand where their food comes from, the people involved in producing it, and the wide range of career opportunities available within the industry. Through meaningful interactions with local farmers, business owners, and agricultural professionals, students gained valuable insight into the partnerships that support agriculture and strengthen rural communities. The experience was made possible with the collaboration of Cannon Valley Ranch, Blondie’s Butcher Shop, Cannon Belles Cheese, Goodhue Public Schools, Goodhue FFA, and Goodhue Market, all of whom helped showcase the journey of food from farm to table and the important role agriculture plays in everyday life.

New Prague CTE and Career Day

Shelly Kitzberger, Denise Reeser, and Courtney enjoyed participating in the 3rd Annual Career & Tech Day at New Prague High School, connecting with students and sharing the many opportunities available within agriculture, food, and natural resources.

Events like these provide valuable opportunities for students to explore career pathways, ask questions, and learn from industry professionals about the skills and experiences needed to succeed in today’s workforce. From communications and marketing to agribusiness, animal science, and beyond, agriculture offers a wide range of rewarding career options.

Thank you to New Prague High School for bringing together local businesses and community partners to inspire the next generation. We always appreciate the opportunity to engage with students, highlight career possibilities, and help them discover where their interests and talents can lead.

Help Us Spread the Word.

Farm Transition Retreat Season is Here!

September. With the buzz of a new school year in the air, it served as a true reminder of the "why" behind the work we do.

September was a month of renewed focus and fresh beginnings. As students returned to classrooms and communities came together around education and workforce development, we had countless opportunities to connect, collaborate, and create impact. The days were busy, the calendar stayed full, and the work remained deeply rewarding. We are grateful for another month of serving Minnesota’s agricultural community and look forward to continuing that work in the months ahead.

September 2026 Month in Review