Finding her path: How youth leadership led Mattea Quigley to CFANS

By Mary Lanoue, agricultural education and agricultural communication and marketing, BS '28

“I knew that if I went to CFANS I would find my path."

This is Mattea Quigly, a freshman at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences double majoring in animal science and agricultural communications and marketing. From southeastern Minnesota, Quigly grew up on a hobby farm with sheep and goats but would later lease dairy cattle from local families. “Having the opportunity to start with dairy taught me what I wanted to do with my future,” she said, noting how it opened up different paths of interest and gave her several opportunities she didn’t have before." Now, Quigly has taken these passions and has turned them into action by pursuing a dual degree within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences. 

This summer, Minnesota Conversations — a statewide video series hosted by the University of Minnesota featuring local leaders— visited Quigly’s hometown for the Dakota County Fair. For Quigly, the county fair is a place of exhibition, friendship, and family memories: “The (Dakota) county fair is a very special place and I am glad to have shared that experience with University of Minnesota President Cunningham,” she said. During her interview with President Rebecca Cunningham, Quigly highlighted the vital role University of Minnesota Extension plays in rural communities, why leadership programs are important allies for University outreach, and the personal impact CFANS has on areas like Dakota County.

CFANS and leadership

Outside of being a student in CFANS, Quigly is an active member in several leadership organizations, including FFA and 4-H where she serves as the State FFA Vice President and as a 4-H Agriculture Ambassador. “Those leadership organizations have taught me that agriculture is more than farming. Agriculture is the science that keeps our world fed, clothed, and so much more,” she said.

In addition to providing students with personal development opportunities, Quigly remembers how the partnership between the University of Minnesota, specifically CFANS, and FFA gave her the spark she needed. “I have gone to the (FFA) state convention hosted by the University in the past, and being on campus showed me the beauty of CFANS and I realized that this is where I want to be with my future.”

Now that Quigly is on campus, she is ready to begin exploring all of the opportunities that CFANS has to offer. “I am looking forward to getting involved in leadership on campus through different clubs. There are a few that have caught my attention (Gopher Dairy Club, Ag Education, Communications and Marketing Club, Ag Business Club, etc.) that I think hold great value for their members.” Specifically, Quigly notes how she is looking forward to joining campus organizations that will connect to her area of study and provide opportunities for future networking and friendships. 

Why CFANS (and future plans!)

“I chose the University of Minnesota CFANS because there is a lot of flexibility and overlap with majors," notes Quigly, emphasizing that she appreciates the ability to seamlessly combine classes across her majors. “I also love the community in CFANS. The people I know here are all amazing, kind people. It just solidified the thought that, ‘oh yeah, this is the place I want to be.’” Quigly goes on to explain that she appreciates how close the campus is to her hometown and the diversity of students that attend the University. 

As an ambitious young leader in agriculture, Quigly, like many students in CFANS, is thrilled to see what a future in the College will hold. From exclaiming how excited she is to take agriculture-focused courses to meeting new people who are also passionate about agriculture, Quigly is ready to embrace all that CFANS has to offer.