Directors

Ellen Butterfield

B.S. 2021, Animal Science & Agricultural Communication and Marketing 

Ellen is a public relations specialist at Curious Plot working on behalf of clients in the food and agriculture sectors. She grew up on her family's dairy farm near Hinckley, Minnesota, which sparked her passion for agriculture and pursuing a degree at the University of Minnesota. On campus, Ellen was involved in Beta of Clovia sorority and various agriculture clubs, including AECM Club, Gopher Crops and Soils, Gopher Dairy Club and more. Since graduation, Ellen has stayed involved in the University of Minnesota by serving as a CFANS Mentor Program Steering Committee member. Her hobbies are enjoying iced coffee at new coffee shops, showing Jersey cattle, gardening, spending time with her pets - Avery, Callie and Flint, traveling and coordinating the Pine County Dairy Princess Program.

Katharine Carlson

B.S. 2006, Animal Science

Katharine Carlson has a background primarily in agriculture, focusing specifically on veterinary medicine for the past several years. She harbors a deep love for reading and the arts, often finding herself involved in community theater whenever the opportunity arises. An avid Gopher football fan, Katharine has held season tickets for several years, a passion that began during her undergrad years. She thoroughly enjoys the excitement of cheering as loudly as she can at the games. Katharine also takes pleasure in attending various sporting events, whether they involve the Gophers or professional teams. Her love for travel is evident, as she eagerly participates in alumni trips, with plans to embark on one this spring. Additionally, Katharine has a passion for singing and attending concerts. She remains deeply connected to her alma mater, actively supporting the University through attendance at events and patronage of alumni-owned businesses. Her spirited cry of "Ski-u-mah and go Gophers!" resonates with her unwavering dedication to her alma mater.

Lauren Chancellor

B.S. 2019, Food Science

Lauren Chancellor works in Business Operations at Land O'Lakes where she manages the commercialization of new SKUs.  In addition, she is involved with the Green team, serves as the group lead for the Women's Small Group, and is a committee member for the Young Professional Network. During her undergrad, she was involved with the Food Science and Nutrition Club and played club squash. Lauren enjoys building and maintaining relationships with individuals and cherishes all that can be learned from one another.

Alexandra Davis

B.S. 2023, Applied Economics & Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management

Alexandra (she/they) is an accomplished professional with five years of experience in the non-profit and start-up sectors, dedicated to shaping a sustainable and net-positive future. Currently based in NYC, Alexandra holds a prominent position in the financial services industry. Driven by a passion for product management, Alexandra focuses on creating meaningful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact. At the heart of her mission is the pursuit of positive change, where the well-being of people, the planet, and profit intersect.

Emily Dehn

B.S. 2019, Agricultural and Food Business Management & Agricultural Communications and Marketing

Emily is currently a Senior Account Executive at Curious Plot, where she works to bring strategic marketing, advertising and communications solutions to clients in the row crop agriculture space. She is actively involved with her family's third-generation row crop farm in Wright County, MN. The experiences and connections she gained through CFANS have brought immense returns to her life, both personally and professionally. Emily is passionate about sharing the potential lasting impact of CFANS with others through her work on the CFANS Alumni Board.

Deepak Haarith

2020, PhD Plant Pathology

Deepak (Thee-puck) is an aspiring Professor and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He studies plant-microbe interactions and specializes in the study of microscopic worms called soybean cyst nematodes that cause great losses to our beloved soybeans. Deepak has always been keen on increasing student participation in the UMN shared governance structure, and has held several responsibilities including being the CFANS Graduate Student Senator and Communications Director for the university level Council of Graduate Students (COGS). Through the CFANS alumni board, Deepak is eager to build and enhance existing partnerships amongst students, departments, the college and its alumni in bringing about beneficial policies, mentoring and networking. As a director who is also a recent graduate, Deepak is looking forward to being a bridge between more students and alumni. He is also eager to increase departmental participation in alumni events and enhance the mentorship program.

Emily Jerve

2000, B.S. Science in Agriculture

Emily Jerve is a Marketing Supervisor in the Agricultural Marketing and Development Division at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).  She coordinates and promotes MDA’s local, regional, domestic and international marketing services for agriculture, food and beverages.  Emily has been with MDA for 14 years in a variety of areas including agricultural statistics and international marketing.  Prior to joining MDA, Emily worked at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC, on international programs. Emily has an M.P.S. in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University and a B.S. in Science in Agriculture from the University of Minnesota.  Emily served as an agriculture volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Senegal, West Africa.  Emily loves to cook, especially with Minnesota Grown produce.

Emily Krekelberg

2013, B.S. Animal Science and 2018, M.S. Agricultural Education

Emily grew up on her family’s dairy farm near Le Sueur, Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree in animal science and a master's in agricultural education from the University of Minnesota in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Emily works for University of Minnesota Extension as the Extension Educator for Farm Safety & Health. Her work focuses on grain bin safety, livestock safety, tractor safety, farmer mental health, and suicide prevention. A passion of Emily’s is advocating for wellness in agriculture.

Kentalé Morris

2004, B.S Agricultural and Food Business Management
2012, MBA Carlson School of Management

Kentalé Sr. is a two-time Golden Gopher graduate, earning degrees in Agricultural and Food Business Management & Master of Business Administration. Experiences at the U have supported his growth both personally and professionally. At Land O’Lakes, Inc. he has held a variety of roles with cross-functional breadth and increasing responsibility. Kentalé currently leads the strategic accounts team where he focuses on building long-term strategies, developing high performing sales talent, and motivating them to achieve annual goals. Outside of work Kentalé has a passion for enabling others and spending time with his family. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and the President of 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities, Inc. where members activate mentorship-based programs to promote intellectual development of youth and community empowerment. Kentalé looks forward to understanding CFANS’s core, long-term goals and working together as a Board and alumni community to develop a path toward achieving each one. He also looks forward to engaging our student body and conveying the many benefits that await them as official U of MN Alumni.

Kurt Nelson

B.S. 1994, Agricultural Industries & Marketing - Food Industries 

Kurt is currently Vice President of Sales for Sparboe Farms, a family and women-owned, Minnesota-based commercial egg producer. Previously he served in a number of local and national sales, marketing, merchandising, and general management roles with US Foods, a leading foodservice distributor. As a Minnesota native and CFANS alum, Kurt is a passionate Gopher sports fan, cheering on the maroon and gold in his spare time.

Colin Robinson

2021, B.S. Environmental Science Policy and Management

Colin grew up in Rosemount, MN and completed a B.S  in Environmental Science, Policy and Management and a B.A in Political Science and Government in 2021. As a student he participated in the CFANS Policy and Engagement Program and the CFANS Mentor Program, and worked as an undergraduate herbarium assistant at the Bell Museum. During his tenure he found in the collection a mislabeled leaf specimen that originated from the Connecticut Charter Oak, the same tree featured in the Connecticut state quarter.  He currently works in the research department at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s herbarium in St. Louis, MO.

Will Teachout

B.S. 2021, Agricultural Communications and Marketing & Computer Science

Will currently serves as the Education Assistant for the Minnesota Farmers Union where he works in Cooperative Education, Leadership Development, and Youth Programming. While an undergrad in CFANS, he was involved in Student Unions and Activities, Agricultural Communications and Marketing events, and worked at the St. Paul Student Center as a building manager and events coordinator. Will hopes to continue to be involved in cooperative development and education both at a local and national level. In his free time, Will enjoys being out on the water on his paddleboard, biking around the twin cities, mountaineering in the Rockies, and alpine skiing. Will is looking forward to being active in enriching the CFANS community through inclusivity and cooperation.