Board of Trustees
Minnesota FFA Foundation's Board of Trustees are comprised of business and industry professionals from across Minnesota.
All who come together voluntarily to support one cause: engaging partners to build strong Agricultural Education programs across Minnesota. Supporting Minnesota's youth, one student at a time.
Message from Board Chair Jenny Doering
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As a proud former farmer, FFA and 4-H member, and parent and spouse to FFA alumni, my connection to the value of FFA and agriculture runs deep and began early. I now have the privilege of supporting future generations of leaders through my role with the Minnesota FFA Foundation.
FFA provides meaningful experiences to youth across our state, offering a broad range of agricultural education. Personally, opportunities in public speaking, holding office and participating in events not only created lasting friendships and pride in the blue jacket but also laid the foundation for the confidence, collaboration and deep-rooted values that are central to my leadership and career today. In college, I continued this passion through my involvement in PAS at the state and national levels. In my career, I see daily the interconnectedness of agriculture, rural communities and consumers, and I appreciate how FFA brings together students from all backgrounds to showcase the diverse opportunities available in agriculture and related industries.
Our family supports the FFA Foundation because we see the meaningful impact our donations have on the programs and students in FFA. Whether through scholarships, program and teacher support, or event coordination, we are able to directly support students and programs that might otherwise go unserved. We are proud to make a meaningful difference in the future of agriculture, and we encourage you to consider contributing to the Minnesota FFA Foundation.
Jenny Doering, Board Chair Minnesota FFA Foundation
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Jenny Doering
Chair - Board of Trustees
Managing Director of Animal Agriculture
Compeer Financial
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Meet our Board of Trustees
Jenny doering - Board Chair
managing director of animal agriculture, compeer financial
I am honored to serve as the Minnesota FFA Foundation Board Chair and to help lead and support the many initiatives of FFA. As a proud FFA alumnus, I see the leadership, talent and values the program instills in students. I support FFA both financially and with my time because I know that this contribution and legacy will have lasting impact on the future of agriculture.." - Doering
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Julie Tesch - Past Chair
President & Ceo - Center for Rural Policy & Development
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"I support the MN FFA Foundation because I have witnessed first-hand the impact that their dollars make in the lives of students and teachers. I know that my donations are being used to help develop the next generation of leaders in agriculture and across America. It is an honor to be a donor." - Tesch
Staci martin - Chair Elect
Director of Government Relations - AgriBank
"FFA is one of the premier leadership organizations available for young adults. Joining the board was an easy decision. Having the opportunity to support FFA by being part of the Foundation is an honor." - Martin
Peter Grundman - Treasurer
Assistant Controller, CHS
"My parents are farmers, and I would not be the person I am today without my background in agriculture. I feel called to support the next generation of students- whether it be those in rural Minnesota that may be contemplating how they can make a career in Ag, or those in the city that are yearning for some exposure to it." - Grundman
Erin Larson - Secretary
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Human Resources, Riverview, LLP
"The pillars of the Minnesota FFA Foundation run parallel to pillars I was raised around in my family, community and career. I'm grateful it's a natural fit to be part of. By supporting the MN FFA Foundation, I have the opportunity to see and be part of the impact financial contributions provides to students and agricultural education programs as these leaders grow into working professionals and agricultural enthusiasts" - Larsen
Gary Sloan - Executive Sponsors Board Chair
Senior Vice President, Commercial, Food & Agribusiness, BMO Harris Bank
"Today’s typical news stories don’t accurately reflect our communities or want we can be. Minnesota FFA Foundation creates opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds to grow and engage in agriculture. Being a resource through volunteering with the MN FFA Foundation allows me to make a direct, positive impact in our Ag community." -Sloan
Executive Director, Minnesota FFA Association
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T.J. BRown
Patrice Bailey
Assistant commissioner of agriculture - minnesota department of agriculture
"I choose to support Minnesota FFA Foundation because I believe that all students should know about Agriculture and where their food comes from. I choose to serve on the Board of Trustees to elevate why Agriculture is important through out the state." - Bailey
Andrew Cannon
Associate Director, Marketing - Crystal Farms
"I’m proud to support the FFA because it gives members the chance to develop leadership skills and confidence, deepen their understanding of the natural world, leverage their curiosity to develop solutions, and create community and friendship with peers. As members hone these skills and relationships, they lay the foundations for their own future, and ensure that our communities will continue to thrive." - Cannon
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Gail donkers
Vice Chair - Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
"I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact that FFA has on students across the state of Minnesota. FFA focuses on students during a very important time of their life – when they are learning and developing leadership skills in preparation for success in future careers. I’m excited to support Minnesota FFA by being a part of the Foundation." - Donkers
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Lara Durben
Communications & Assistant Executive Director
"I feel strongly that we all benefit from the life-long leadership skills and career development the FFA organization provides to students. Serving on the Minnesota FFA Foundation Board of Trustees is a natural fit for me and I’m committed to sharing my passion for agriculture and the opportunities it provides; putting my career experience to good use; and ensuring our state’s agriculture teachers and FFA student have what they need to succeed. When our young leaders are nurtured, our world becomes a better place for it." -Durben
Lisa Fischer
Customer Operations Manager Milk Replacer Enterprise - Land O'Lakes, Inc
"FFA is truly in my blood. My dad, brothers, nieces, nephew, and I have all been involved in FFA. Through FFA, I gained leadership skills that helped me grow in school and my career. It fosters good values of working hard to achieve your goals and being an active part of your community through volunteering. I believe in investing in the FFA, we will grow the next generation of leaders." - Fischer
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Mark Jirik
Owner, Valley Feed & Fiber - Minnesota FFA Alumni & Supporters
"I support the MN FFA Foundation because our communities are in need of leadership. FFA is the premier leadership program for young people from all backgrounds in the country. The Minnesota FFA Foundation provides the financial support to make that happen.." - Jirik
Nic Milbrandt
Agriculture Instructor, Blue Earth Area
Lauren Stoel
State FFA President, Minnesota FFA Association
Jasmine Stringer
Founder, Carpe Diem with Jasmine
"I’ve witnessed first hand how FFA prepares students to thrive outside the classroom, on the farm and off the farm. Agriculture is extremely important to our states economy and we need to support and develop the next generation of agriculture leaders." -Stringer
Mat Vaupel
Owner, Vaupel Farms
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Trudy Wastweet
Chief Strategy Officer, Midwest Dairy
"I owe so much to my years of wearing National Blue corduroy! My FFA experiences propelled a development path and eventually a career journey that I could never have predicted as a teenager. I'm delighted to offer my energy and time to ensure that any young person interested in food or agricultural sciences can find a place in this one-of-a-kind youth organization. The skills, knowledge, leadership development, friendships, and experiences that students gain from FFA are unparalleled and truly shape their futures." - Wastweet
Gary Wertish
President, Minnesota Farmers Union
Meet our Executive Sponsors Board
Gary Sloan - Executive Sponsors Board Chair
Senior Vice President, Commercial, Food & Agribusiness, BMO Harris Bank
"Today’s typical news stories don’t accurately reflect our communities or want we can be. Minnesota FFA Foundation creates opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds to grow and engage in agriculture. Being a resource through volunteering with the MN FFA Foundation allows me to make a direct, positive impact in our Ag community." -Sloan
Mark Davis
President, Cambria
Rod Hebrink
Former CEO, Compeer Financial Services
Dave Ladd
President, RDL & Associates
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"I support the MN FFA Foundation because I believe in agricultural education and efforts to expose student learners to ag-related careers. FFA is the ‘icing on the cake’ for ag students, allowing them the opportunity delve deeper as individuals and grow as future leaders who will contribute to their communities." - Ladd