A Maroon & Gold sweep: CFANS alumni dominate National Ag Ed Awards

Sarah Dornink, Executive Director, Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council 

The University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is extremely proud of its success in developing world-class agricultural educators. At the recent joint National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) and Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) conference in Nashville (December 8–12, 2025), the spotlight shone brightly on Gopher alumni who swept a staggering number of NAAE regional awards.

In a feat that underscores the program's outstanding caliber, nearly half of the NAAE Region III winners were UMN agricultural education graduates — a remarkable statistic for a single university. Among those recognized for their leadership and innovation were Val Aarsvold (Visionary Impact Award), Pam Koenen (Teacher Mentor Award) and Kayla Brune (Ideas Unlimited Award). Amber Seibert, along with her colleagues at Park Rapids High School, were also recognized with the Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award. In addition, CFANS alum, Eric Sawatzke, was the national winner for the ACTE Carl Perkins Community Service Award.

Eric Sawatzke: Cultivating careers and community in rural Minnesota

When Eric Sawatzke began teaching agricultural education at West Central Area Schools (WCA) in Barrett, Minnesota, he recognized the powerful role schools can play in sustaining rural communities. A 2008 graduate with a degree in agricultural education, Eric is now living out the very mission that first inspired him as a student — preparing the next generation for meaningful careers rooted in service and innovation. That impact was honored when he was named the national winner for the 2026 Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Carl Perkins Community Service Award.

Eric serves more than 360 students in grades 7–12, creating learning experiences that connect classroom instruction with real-world application. His approach emphasizes hands-on learning, inclusivity, and relevance, ensuring students graduate with a strong understanding of food, fiber, and fuel systems — and the responsibility each person holds in supporting their community.

Under Eric’s leadership, WCA’s agricultural education program has expanded dramatically. Two signature facilities — a greenhouse valued at more than $350,000 and a $371,000 mobile meat processing trailer — provide students with advanced technical skills while also addressing local needs. Supported by over 60 community partners, these initiatives increase access to fresh, locally produced food donated to area food shelves, reinforcing the connection between education and service.

Eric’s innovation extends throughout the district. Through successful grant writing and collaboration, he helped install 11 hydroponic towers in classrooms ranging from elementary grades to high school, integrating agriculture into biology labs, family and consumer sciences, and core academic classrooms.

Beyond WCA, Eric has shaped agricultural education statewide. He has worked with Minnesota legislators to establish a Meat Processing Education Grant, securing more than $550,000 in equipment for schools, and partnered with the Department of Agriculture to help districts safely launch meat processing programs. He also helped fund a new statewide meat processing curriculum that currently is in development and will be available to all Minnesota agricultural educators. Eric is providing leadership for the teacher association, currently serving as the president of the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE).

Eric Sawatzke’s journey from student to nationally honored educator shows how alums can cultivate opportunity, leadership, and lasting community impact.