Meet our Staff
Val Aarsvold, Executive Director
FFA helped me develop the skills that I need to be a leader. I am grateful for the opportunities that were provided to me as a student and have committed my professional life to ensuring today's young people have opportunities through FFA and agricultural education," states Aarsvold.
Val Aarsvold joined the Minnesota FFA Foundation as the Executive Director in 2001. Prior to this position, she was an agricultural education instructor for Plainview and Willmar High Schools. Following her years of service to the Goodhue FFA Chapter, she served as a Regional and State FFA Officer.
Val Aarsvold
val.aarsvold(at)mnffafoundation(dot)org
507-259-3586
Amanda Sommers, Program Coordinator
My experience in FFA developed my leadership skills I've used to develop our next generation of leaders. I am eternally grateful for the experiences I was able to partake in throughout my years as an FFA member and am committed to ensure our young people today are able to take part in all of the opportunities available to them through the FFA and Agricultural Education," states Sommers.
Amanda Sommers joined the Minnesota FFA Foundation in 2018. Prior to this position, she worked for twelve years as the Blue Earth County 4-H Program Coordinator. Amanda strongly believes in the value of agriculture making a difference in the lives of youth. She grew up on a farm where she was active in both 4-H and FFA. She received her degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota, and her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Amanda Sommers
amanda.sommers(at)mnffafoundation(dot)org
507-461-2214