NACTA Newsletter - February 2025 (Central Region)

February 2025 (Central Region)

NACTA President Cheryl Wachenheim's Message
NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar
NACTA 2025 Conference Tour Information
New NACTA Members
Renew Your NACTA Membership
Featured NACTA Central Region Member: Laura Rice
Featured NACTA Central Region Student Member: Jayden Lawrence
Central Region Open Content

NACTA Roundup with President Cheryl Wachenheim

Greetings!

By now we have settled into courses for the term, getting to know new students and having heard about winter break activities from returning students and colleagues. Teacher recognition and abstract deadlines have passed, and we have enjoyed our first of the series of five Experiential Learning Webinars. 

Other than the annual NACTA Conference and the NACTA Judging Conference, NACTA members most often gather via videoconferencing, where it is not uncommon to begin the discussion with topics about which we share commonalities, such as the beginning of the term and being in the midst of grading final exams. I learn the most about colleagues when we turn in discussion towards topics about which our experiences are divergent, such as the weather and, especially for me, the reaction of our localities to that the weather which is unusual or unexpected. 

As we interact within our organization, it occurs to me that there is so much to learn from one another because of our differences. Our membership represents a very broad range of individuals, colleges, and locations, among many other attributes. I challenge you to get to know one of two members each month from other schools, whether through a committee meeting, a regional activity, or simply reaching out because you read their article or teaching tip in the NACTA Journal or attended the same webinar. We are always learning!

Enjoy February.

Cheryl

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NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar

NACTA is excited to welcome Dr. Meghan Sindelar, of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, as the second presenter for the NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar! Sindelar's presentation is titled "How Do We Assess our Experiential Learning?" and will take place for the second session of the webinar series at 1:00 PM EST Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Megan Sindelar, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

In this session, Dr. Sindelar will explore different methods for assessing experiential learning outcomes, including rubrics, self-assessments, group work, peer assessment, and portfolio assessment.

For more information on the NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar Series, click here.

To register for the series, click here.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further updates and information about the 2025 NACTA Experiential Learning Webinar Series!

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NACTA 2025 Conference Tour Information

North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is pleased to announce information regarding the available tours at the upcoming NACTA Conference, June 2-6, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!

Alberta Food Processing Centre/Rig Hand Distillery
Part 1: Overview of Alberta Food Centre programs and services
Part 2: Walking Tour

Elk Island Backstage Bison and Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Bison Backstage is the exclusive, behind the scenes look at bison conservation at Elk Island. Visitors will be led through the Plains Bison Handling Facility and along the way will learn about the history of bison, how they affect the prairie landscape around them, and how parks staff herd these magnificent wild animals through the world-class plains bison handling facility as a tool to connect visitors to Canada’s bison story and Parks Canada’s ongoing role in bison conservation efforts.

The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village Society was founded in 1971 to develop a heritage village commemorating the settlement of east central Alberta by Ukrainians. Soon after, the Society bought the present site and began relocating buildings there from farms and towns of east central Alberta. The Province of Alberta acquired the site in 1975, and continues to interpret the major theme of “Early Ukrainian Settlement in East Central Alberta to 1930.” Since that time, more than 40 buildings have been moved to the UCHV where they have been researched, restored, and furnished to their early 20th century appearance. The museum also has a multi-purpose visitor centre with exhibit gallery spaces to provide a closer understanding of early Ukrainian settlement in east central Alberta.

Indigenous Teaching Experience
A conversation with a Native Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper- about food, land, survival, and agriculture that would rooted in cultural knowledge, respect for the environment, and the interconnections between native peoples and Mother Earth .

University of Alberta Botanic Garden
The garden is located 15 minutes from Edmonton. It has 80 cultivated acres, over 4000 plant species and three indoor show houses. Participants will undertake a guided tour through the gardens. See where lush and diverse landscapes blend seamlessly with rich cultural and educational experiences. Wander through cultural gardens — like the Kurimoto Japanese Garden and Aga Khan Garden — or let curiosity lead you through our collections. View thousands of plant species or take in an event designed to awaken the senses. A visit to the Garden will rekindle your connection with nature and rejuvenate your spirit - in any season.

Vermeer's Dairy/Detention Brewery
Vermeer’s Dairy is a 700 cow dairy south east of Camrose, Alberta which milks predominately Holstein cows. In addition to the dairy, they crop approximately 2,500 acres and are one the only farms in Alberta to harvest high moisture corn.

Detention Brewing is a craft brewery located in the former school in Rosalind, a village with a population of approximately 180 people. In addition to brewing some great beers they host a wide variety of community events from Beers and Blooms (flower arranging) to Crokicurl.

Warburg Hutterite Colony
Warburg colony is a member of Dariusleut sect of hutterites. They live communally and are intensive agriculture innovators. They grow crops, have cattle, layers, a green house, meat processing plant and a store. For biosecurity reasons, participants of this tour will not be able to enter into animal housing facilities. This colony considers their colony to be a university for their kids to learn many different trades and job opportunities right here on their farm.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further updates and information about the NACTA 2025 Conference, including registration opening, speakers, more tour information, and more!

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New NACTA Members

NACTA has 33 new members since our last newsletter. We hope you will join us in welcoming them!

Southern
Daniel Hirmas, TX
Jessie Fernandez, FL
Elaine Mason, FL
Grace Ogden, TX
Ranjith Ramanathan, OK
Kati Migliaccio, FL
Lameace Hussain, FL
Suzanna Browning, FL
Christopher Clemons, AL
Vinicius Alvez Cruz
Caroline Barnett, FL
Kyleigh Hilburn, FL
Jessica Switzer, FL
Cassandra Goff, FL
Amethyst Merchant, FL
Tyler Foote, GA
Grace Carapezza, FL
Allyson Fleischer, FL
Shannon Phillips, NC
Noah Jewell, OK
Laura Fischer, TX

Eastern
Jennifer Koehl, PA
Kendrick Spencer, VA
Kimberly Tarvis, NY
Abigail Cheng, VA
Cara Lawson, OH

Central
Dan Hoge, IL
Bo Garcia, NE
Jason Bergtold, KS
Gaea Hock, KS
Christian Stephenson, NE

Western
Ryan Spurling, UT
Courtney Berghoff, UT

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Renew Your NACTA Membership

NACTA is the largest professional development organization that focuses specifically on the scholarship of teaching and learning in agriculture, food and natural resources. Need to renew your membership? Want to invite a colleague to join? Want to change your membership status? Visit the membership page here. We appreciate your NACTA membership!

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NACTA Central Region News

Featured Member: Dr. Laura Rice

Dr. Laura Rice is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing at the University of Minnesota. With a deep passion for creating lasting impact through education, Dr. Rice's career began as a high school Natural Resource Management teacher before transitioning to become an agricultural mechanics teacher, a role that ignited her passion for teacher preparation. Her focus is on facilitating authentic, experiential learning opportunities that drive personal development and bridge the gap between secondary, post-secondary, and industry-centered education in food, fiber, and natural resources.

As a teacher educator, Dr. Rice is committed to building teacher candidates' confidence in pedagogical practices and technical skill acquisition, especially in agricultural mechanics. She integrates STEM disciplines into agriculture education through instruction, exploration, and hands-on activities, aiming to create learner-centered environments that foster critical thinking and self-directed learning.

Her research interests include discipline-specific pedagogies, pedagogical content knowledge, and enhancing technical skill development and confidence in agricultural mechanics. She is particularly interested in identifying the teaching practices that best support students in becoming active participants in their fields of study. Additionally,Dr. Rice's work as a leader in the Global TeachAg Network emphasizes advancing scholarship in the field and ensuring that agricultural education continues to evolve to meet the needs of students and educators around the world.

Dr. Rice also serves as the Assistant Regional Director for the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). In this role, she contributes to advancing the mission of NACTA by supporting agricultural educators, fostering professional development, and promoting best practices in teaching and learning across the agricultural education community. Her work with NACTA focuses on creating a collaborative environment that helps educators share innovative strategies, improve teaching effectiveness, and enhance student engagement in agricultural disciplines. Through her involvement with NACTA, Laura continues to be a strong advocate for the importance of agricultural education and its impact on shaping the future of the industry.

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Featured Student Member: Jayden Lawrence

Jayden Lawrence grew up in a small town in central Illinois, where her passion for agriculture began through her involvement in 4-H. This experience sparked an interest in both livestock and teaching, setting the foundation for her future academic and professional pursuits. Jayden began her educational journey at Lincoln College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Initially planning to attend veterinary school, she soon discovered that her true interests lay in research and education, prompting a shift toward graduate studies.

She pursued a Master’s degree in Animal Science at Illinois State University, working under the guidance of Dr. Drew Lugar. During her time there, Jayden focused on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning research, specifically studying student stress within the Animal Science discipline. Dr. Lugar provided a supportive mentorship environment, allowing Jayden creative freedom to explore her interests. This led to the completion of three manuscripts, two study abroad experiences, and an opportunity to observe a variety of courses, particularly in the field of animal reproduction.

Illinois State University also introduced Jayden to NACTA, marking a pivotal moment in her professional development. Her first journal article was published in the NACTA Journal, and she presented her research at both the 2023 NACTA Conference in New Mexico and the 2024 conference in Ohio. These conferences allowed her to network, share her findings, and learn from others in the field.

While at Illinois State, Jayden participated in a finisher pig research project, which deepened her interest in working with swine. This inspired her to pursue doctoral studies, leading her to Iowa State University, where she joined Dr. Anna Johnson’s research team. Currently, her research focuses on stakeholders’ perceptions of swine welfare in the United States, combining her expertise in animal science with her background in social science.

Jayden envisions a career in academia, where she plans to teach and continue research in this interdisciplinary area. Her commitment to professional development extends to her recent appointment as a graduate student representative on the NACTA Strategic Planning Committee. In this role, she is eager to collaborate with the board to enhance opportunities for graduate students, fostering networking and mentorship within the field.

Jayden remains passionate about NACTA, valuing the organization as a platform for learning, networking, and collaboration. She looks forward to contributing to the field of agricultural education and inspiring others to engage in meaningful scholarship and research.

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Open Content

Dear Central Region NACTA Members,

Happy New Year! 🎉 As we step into 2025, I want to extend my warmest wishes for a year filled with growth, success, and joy in all aspects of your professional and personal lives. Let’s make this a year of innovation and inspiration in agricultural education!

As we embark on another exciting year together, let us remember the incredible impact we have as educators in shaping the future of agriculture. Whether it’s sparking curiosity in students, advancing research, or building stronger communities, the work we do matters immensely. Let us continue to support and uplift each other in this shared mission.

This year, I would love to feature more of the amazing work happening across the Central Region in our NACTA newsletter. Here’s how you can get involved:
Have a fun teaching tip? Share it to inspire others!
Published something recently? Let us celebrate your scholarship.
Hosting an event or workshop? Share it so we can support and learn from one another.
Know a standout student or faculty member? Let us highlight their story and achievements!
Your contributions help us showcase the vibrant energy of our region and keep our community engaged. If you’d like to share anything or if you just want to say hello please email me at gjha@ksu.edu. I would love to hear from you!

Together, let us make 2025 a year of excellence in teaching, innovation in learning, and meaningful collaboration.

Wishing you a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead!

Warm regards,
Dr. Gaurav Jha
Central Region Director, NACTA
Assistant Professor - Precision Agriculture, Kansas State University

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