MAELC RELEASES 2030 MINNESOTA AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES (AFNR) EDUCATION BLUEPRINT
For Immediate Release
For more information:
Sarah Dornink
Executive Director, Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council
tesm0010@umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624 - 6249
ST. PAUL, Minn. (March 10, 2025) - The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) is pleased to release its 2030 Minnesota Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Education Blueprint - a statewide strategic plan for promoting, expanding, and improving AFNR education across the state. It was made possible through the combined input and efforts of approximately 200 stakeholders.
The 2030 Blueprint specifically focuses on four sectors of AFNR education:
- School-Based Agricultural Education
- Agriculture Teacher Preparation
- Post-Secondary AFNR Education
- Farm Business Management (FBM)
While the final strategies within the Blueprint are specific to each AFNR educational sector, there were common themes identified across the sectors. Overall strategies are related to improving student engagement and broadening opportunities for applied learning, ensuring educational programs align with industry standards, growing efforts to attract and retain quality instructors, increasing communications to students about opportunities available across all sectors, and securing resources to ensure Minnesota students at all levels have access to industry-aligned technology, equipment and facilities.
“The strategies in the Blueprint will serve as a foundation for MAELC’s work moving forward and are intended to guide all AFNR education efforts while increasing collaboration among stakeholders. MAELC looks forward to engaging with its numerous partners to implement this vision over the next five years,” said Sarah Dornink, Executive Director of MAELC.
MAELC will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 2 at 3:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the 2030 AFNR Education Blueprint and explore the strategies within each sector. Register for this event at z.umn.edu/2030blueprintwebinar.
To learn more about the 2030 Minnesota AFNR Education Blueprint and access an electronic version, visit the MAELC website at www.mn.gov/maelc/initiatives/2030_AFNR_Blueprint.html.
About MAELC - MAELC is a 16-member legislative council that provides leadership to promote and expand agricultural education in Minnesota. The state legislature, agricultural educators, and agriculture industry leaders are all represented on the council.