Minnesota FFA Convention Spotlights Future Agriculture Teachers

The annual event will feature a new career development event and a signing ceremony for students committed to agriculture education.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:39pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring repeated images of a teacher's desk with an apple, a chalkboard, and a textbook, rendered in a bold, neon color palette that captures the energy and creativity of the Minnesota FFA's initiatives to develop new agriculture educators.The Minnesota FFA's efforts to cultivate the next generation of agriculture teachers are as bold and eye-catching as a Warhol-inspired pop art print.Minneapolis Today

The Minnesota FFA State Convention in 2026 will include a new Agricultural Education Career Development Event, where high school FFA members will develop and teach sample lessons to encourage careers in agriculture education. The convention will also feature a signing ceremony for students who have already committed to pursuing agriculture education degrees at colleges and universities.

Why it matters

With a clear need for more exceptional agriculture teachers in Minnesota and across the country, the FFA is taking proactive steps to cultivate the next generation of educators by exposing high school students to the profession and celebrating those who have already chosen that path.

The details

The Agricultural Education Career Development Event will challenge 12 teams of two FFA members each to create and teach a 12-15 minute lesson on animal systems. They will also respond to questions from a panel of judges. Meanwhile, 16 FFA members who have already committed to agriculture education degrees will participate in a signing ceremony similar to those for high school athletes choosing their college pathways.

  • The Agricultural Education Career Development Event will take place on Monday, April 20, 2026 during the Minnesota FFA State Convention.
  • The signing ceremony for future agriculture educators will occur on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at the 3M Arena at Mariucci.

The players

Natasha Mortenson

The Minnesota FFA career and alumni program director, who stated there is a clear need for exceptional agriculture teachers in Minnesota and elsewhere.

Maren Hulden

The Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner, who will be present at the signing ceremony for future agriculture educators.

Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators

The organization that will have representatives present at the signing ceremony for future agriculture educators.

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What they’re saying

“We have a clear need for exceptional agriculture teachers here in Minnesota and elsewhere.”

— Natasha Mortenson, Minnesota FFA career and alumni program director

“FFA members are the perfect students to consider this important career because of their own opportunities and knowledge gained through FFA.”

— Natasha Mortenson, Minnesota FFA career and alumni program director

What’s next

Over the course of the Teach Ag program, 174 students have signed their commitment to pursue agriculture education degrees. The 2026 signing ceremony is expected to add more students to this growing pipeline of future agriculture teachers.

The takeaway

By engaging high school FFA members through a new career development event and celebrating those who have already chosen the path of agriculture education, the Minnesota FFA is taking proactive steps to address the shortage of qualified teachers in this vital field and ensure a strong future for agricultural instruction.