Members of NACTA are asked to review the candidates' qualifications and thoughtfully consider the course each candidate would take to achieve our NACTA goals.

On March 23, 2026, the electronic ballot from ElectionBuddy will be activated and voting instructions will be emailed to you. Please also note that the 2026 slate page presents the qualifications and personal statements of each candidate only as submitted by the candidate. The slate is NOT the actual ballot.

To view the 2026 slate, click here.

We are pleased to announce that registration for the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) 2026 Conference, to be held June 22-25, 2026, at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, USA, is now open! This year's conference theme is "Ringing in the Future: Innovations in Teaching & Learning for Agriculture."

The Annual NACTA Conference offers many opportunities for education and networking and brings agricultural education across the continuum together. This conference offers workshops, poster and oral presentations, Keynote and Blue Ribbon presentations, and many networking opportunities each day. At this annual conference of NACTA, you will be able to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for the improvement of teaching and learning in agriculture, food and natural resources.

The Annual NACTA Conference will provide you with new teaching techniques, ideas and resources. It is also one of the best professional development activities for networking with other teaching professionals where the common discipline is "teaching."

Additional conference details, including speakers, presenters, schedule, hotel and tour information, awards, and more, along with registration can be found at www.nactaconference.org.

The Early Bird Deadline to register for the NACTA 2025 Annual Conference is April 25, 2026.

NACTA is excited to announce that the Blue Ribbon and Keynote Speakers for the NACTA 2026 Annual Conference, to be held June 22-25, 2026, at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, USA are confirmed! The 72nd Annual NACTA Conference will serve as a venue for faculty and graduate students in agricultural, environmental, natural, and life sciences to share their scholarship of teaching, innovative teaching and advising ideas, and other relevant teaching and learning information.

Blue Ribbon Speaker

Michel Wattiaux,
Professor - Dairy Systems Management Teaching & Research,
University of Wisconsin - Madison

From a Family Dairy Farm in Belgium to a PhD in Dairy Science
Michel was very involved in the daily work of the family dairy farm where he grew up in Belgium in the sixties and seventies. The thirst for knowledge to better manage the farm was a powerful motivator as he became a first-generation college student. In 1985, Michel came to UW-Madison and earned a PhD in Dairy Science. 

Ten years of International Dairy Extension
Michel began to work with the "Babcock Institute for International Research and Development" of the University of Wisconsin, Madison shortly after its inception in 1992. While at the Institute, he authored four dairy management-related books in a series of "Technical Dairy Guides" and 35 "Dairy Essentials," which have been translated in six languages (Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese and Turkish) and have been distributed in more than 80 countries.

Assistant Professor in Dairy Science
In 2000, Michel joined the faculty of the Department of Dairy Science as an assistant professor with responsibilities in instruction (70%) and Dairy Management research (30%). He revamped a senior level ruminant nutrition course and created five other undergraduate courses. His research focused on the use of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) as a nutritional and environmental management tool for dairy producers. Michel was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure on the basis of excellence in teaching in the spring of 2006. 

Associate Professor: Research and Teaching at a more "Global Scale"
Michel's research program has focused on cow-level and farm-level nutritional strategies that reduce the undesirable impact of dairy production on air and water quality. His research seeks to enhance animal productivity and efficiency of production while reducing the emission of compounds known to have negative impacts on human health, the balance of natural ecosystems, and climate change (including for example, ammonia, nitrate, nitrous oxide and methane). This research seeks to create "win-win" situations, making farms more economically profitable (reducing feed costs) and more friendly to the environmental and human health. To address these issues at a more "global scale," Michel has forged networks of collaborations with scientists from Canada, France, Mexico, Costa-Rica, Peru, and Columbia. Michel's meritorious activities during this period of his career have been recognized by a series of honors and awards. Michel was promoted to Full Professor in the spring of 2011. 

Full Professor: Sustainability of Agriculture and Food Systems
As a full professor, Michel continued to expand the boundaries of his scholarship. His research focused increasingly on holistic assessments of farm sustainability that are in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set forth by the United Nations. His teaching included new courses on the roles of livestock in sustainable development, on the environmental and social dimensions of agriculture and food systems and on effective teaching in internationally diverse college classroom (for PhD candidates only). From 2019 to 2021, Michel served as interim Director of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS). In 2021, Michel received a Fulbright Award to work with colleagues in Québec on a project titled: “toward more equitable, resilient, and sustainable dairy systems.”

Wattiaux's Blue Ribbon Presentation will be Monday, June 22, 2026, from 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM CDT during the NACTA 2026 Conference!

Keynote Speaker

Mark Keenum,
President,
Mississippi State University

Dr. Mark E. Keenum became Mississippi State University's (MSU) 19th President on January 5, 2009, and he has guided his alma mater to unprecedented heights with an unwavering focus on students — preparing them for success in a rapidly changing world and instilling in them the timeless values of integrity, hard work, and respect for others. The university has experienced record growth in enrollment, fundraising and research during his tenure.

In 2018, he was named chairman of the College Football Playoff’s (CFP) Board of Managers. The CFP determines the national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and is chairman of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).

Keenum began his professional life at MSU as a faculty member with the Extension Service and the Department of Agricultural Economics, and he continues to teach a leadership class to students in MSU’s Shackouls Honors College every fall. He went on to serve as chief of staff to Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) in Washington, D.C. and was Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture prior to returning home to Mississippi State.

Dr. Keenum's Keynote Presentation will be Tuesday, June 23, 2026 from8:15AM - 9:15 AM CDT during the NACTA 2026 Conference!

NACTA is excited to feature Michel Wattiaux and Mark Keenum as the Blue Ribbon and Keynote Speakers for the NACTA 2026 Annual Conference!

Registration for #NACTA26 will be opening soon, as well as features on sessions, presenters, and more! Keep an eye on your inbox!

Registration for the NACTA 2026 Judging Conference, April 22-25, 2026, hosted by Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, USA, is NOW OPEN! As a reminder, the NACTA Judging Contest is only open to all NACTA institutional member schools.

The deadline to register is March 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. Please note that there will be no on-site registration.

The rules for each contest are linked in the list below. For questions about specific contests, please see the contact information provided in the posted rules. We look forward to providing quality contests for all students in both the 2- and 4-year divisions, and plan to host the following 17 contests:

• Agribusiness
• Ag Computers
• Ag Education
• Crops
• Dairy Cattle Judging
• Hippology
• Horse Judging
• Horticulture
• Knowledge Bowl
• Livestock Judging
• Livestock Management
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Portfolio
• Poster
• Precision Ag
• Soils
  - 2-Year
  - 4-Year
• Veterinary Science

We look forward to seeing you April 22nd!

Occupation: Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Description: Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries, management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. 

A random sample of respondents will be invited to complete an online questionnaire. Participants will receive a $75 token of appreciation upon submission, redeemable as a gift card or charitable donation.

To learn more or volunteer, please visit the ONET Volunteer Information Page.

The deadline to respond is Monday, February 9, 2026.

• Agribusiness
• Ag Computers
• Ag Education
• Crops
• Dairy Cattle Judging
• Hippology
• Horse Judging
• Horticulture
• Knowledge Bowl
• Livestock Judging
• Livestock Management
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Portfolio
• Poster
• Precision Ag
• Soils
  - 2-Year
  - 4-Year
• Veterinary Science

The rules for each contest are linked in the list above. For questions about specific contests, please see the contact information provided in the posted rules.

Registration for the NACTA 2026 Judging Contest will be opening soon. Keep an eye on your email for more information!

We look forward to seeing you April 22nd!

Thank you,
NACTA

Did you miss the webinar last month about the awards program? No problem! Click this link to view the recording. 

For information on how to nominate an educator for any of the following awards, please visit our website here and select the award you are interested in under the "Member Info" dropdown menu. The deadline to submit nominations is January 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

Submit a Teaching Award Nomination

View the Awards Webinar Recording

NACTA President Liz Karcher's Message
#NACTA26 Poster and Oral Abstracts Due January 30
NACTA Journal Updates
New NACTA Members
Renew Your NACTA Membership

NACTA Roundup with President Elizabeth Karcher

As the holiday season is here, I hope this time of year brings you moments of rest, celebration, and connection on your campuses and beyond. thank you all for the dedication and energy you bring to advancing agricultural teaching and learning. Your contributions continue to strengthen our NACTA community and shape the future of our organization. I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members—we're delighted to have you as part of the NACTA community. to all of our members, I encourage you to stay engaged with NACTA through our committees, social media, and upcoming events as we continue to share resources and celebrate member accomplishments. 

There is a great deal of exciting work happening as we look ahead to the new year, including planning for the 2026 conference, developing upcoming webinars, and continuing committee efforts. We also continue to work on the strategic planning document that we hope to share for your valued input this spring. As we begin planning for the year ahead, we welcome your ideas, feedback, and participation. Your insights help us create opportunities that reflect the needs of our membership. 

We look forward to building on our momentum in the new year and continuing to expand opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and innovation. From al of us on the Leadership Team, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, reflection, and time spent with those who matter most.

Thank you,
Liz Karcher,
NACTA President

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#NACTA26 Poster & Oral Abstracts Due January 30! Don't Miss Your Chance to Submit!

North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is pleased to announce the call for abstracts for poster and oral presentations for the NACTA Conference to be held in Starkville, Mississippi, USA, from June 22-25, 2026. The NACTA conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for the improvement of teaching and learning in agriculture, food, and natural resources. The Annual NACTA Conference will provide you with new teaching techniques, ideas, and resources. It is also one of the best professional development activities for networking with other teaching professionals where the common discipline is “teaching.” The theme for the NACTA 2026 Conference is Ringing in the Future: Innovations in Teaching & Learning for Agriculture.

For more information and how to submit, click here.

To submit your abstract, click here.

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NACTA Journal Updates

Founded in 1963, The NACTA Journal  is a professional refereed journal published by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). It is directed toward the scholarship of teaching and learning and the professional advancement of the teaching of agriculture and related disciplines. The NACTA Journal presents papers on all aspects of teaching, including methods, problems, philosophy, and rewards.  The Journal offers something for every teacher in agriculture or a related discipline. Whether traditional classroom or extension-related, its primary purpose is to strengthen professional competence in college and adult teaching.

September 2025:

• 11 Submissions Received
• 4 Published

October 2025:

• 9 Submissions Received
• 9 Published

November 2025:

• 3 Submissions Received
• 3 Published

For more information on the NACTA Journal, and to submit a manuscript or teaching tip, click here.

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New NACTA Members

NACTA has 13 new members since our last newsletter. We hope you will join us in welcoming them!

Southern
Rachel Kalicharan, FL
Hunter Carson, FL
Tyler Granberry, TN
Jennifer Kordigen, FL
Sam Funk, TX
Logan Dale, LA
Janiece Pigg, TN

Eastern
Sara Allen, IN
Jody Kull, PA

Western
Pooja Potdar, UT
Elizabeth Malobicky, CO

Central
Marlin Burcham, KS
Reagan Suubi, IA

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Renew Your NACTA Membership

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Each reviewer will receive about 10 abstracts to review and the deadline for reviews will be two weeks after assignments are sent. The deadline for submission of abstracts is January 30, 2026, so assignments will be sent shortly after that date to the email address you provide. It is critical that abstract reviews be returned by the deadline, so if you feel you will be unable to return your reviews in the timeframe outlined above, please reconsider volunteering for this cycle. We would be happy to have you review next year if you have increased availability!

We ask that if you are able to volunteer that you submit your form before December 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. 

If you have any questions regarding volunteering, please contact the address listed on the volunteer form. 

North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is pleased to announce the call for abstracts for poster and oral presentations for the NACTA Conference to be held in Starkville, Mississippi, USA, from June 22-26, 2026. The NACTA conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for the improvement of teaching and learning in agriculture, food, and natural resources. The Annual NACTA Conference will provide you with new teaching techniques, ideas, and resources. It is also one of the best professional development activities for networking with other teaching professionals where the common discipline is “teaching.” The theme for the NACTA 2026 Conference is Ringing in the Future: Innovations in Teaching & Learning for Agriculture.

To streamline the categorization process to types of abstracts in 2025 we are asking authors to identify if their submission is scholarship or practice. These two categories closely reflect the differences between research manuscripts and teaching tips published in the NACTA Journal.

1. Scholarship abstract – the systematic study and investigation of teaching and learning methods to gain deeper understanding and improve practice; scholarship generally includes the collection of evidence and analysis of the results to inform future practice. This category includes quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method studies and may be small- or large-scale projects.
2. Practice abstract – the day-to-day actions and methods a teacher uses in a classroom to deliver instruction. Practice is often based on what we have learned from scholarship or may be a pre-cursor to a future scholarly process. This category provides the opportunity to share a teaching practice with reflection on how it could be implemented in other classrooms/disciplines but relies on the instructor’s first-person perspective rather than using systematic evidence, similar to a NACTA Journal Teaching Tip.

Guidelines and Format for NACTA Abstracts
Your 300-word abstract should be a concise summary of factual information and not simply a general description of what the author plans to present. Abstracts must be over a completed project with conclusions and not an in-progress or yet-to-begin project. A high-quality abstract contains the following key elements (without designating them as such):

1. A brief introduction, including objectives of the presentation.
2. Relevant conditions indicating the scope of study, survey, or use of techniques in existing coursework (authors of predominately philosophical works should use appropriate criteria).
3. Evidence may include observations, reflections, results, or data (however, data should be in summary form and not presented in tables or graphs) - philosophical abstracts must demonstrate application of said philosophy.
4. A concise summary.

Please note if you use Microsoft Word to write your abstract: Microsoft formatting sometimes adds hidden characters that will throw off the word count. We have found that if you paste your work into Notepad, then copy from there to the abstract form, it will clean up the formatting and the word count will be accurate. Please DO NOT include your title/author information within the abstract body.

Although you may submit as many abstracts as you wish, scheduling more than one accepted oral presentation or poster may result in complexities for the authors. We are unable to take requests for specific presentation days/times.

Questions? Contact NACTA at support@nactateachers.org

Deadline: January 30, 2026

All abstracts will be peer-reviewed and considered for poster presentation. If desired, authors may indicate a preference for oral presentation upon submission. Based on peer reviews and indicated author preference, the Review Committee will invite a select number of abstracts to be presented as oral presentations. Abstracts not invited for oral presentation will automatically be considered for poster presentation. Authors will be notified of presentation mode in their acceptance. The corresponding author will be notified of its status in April 2026. Feedback on rejected abstracts will be available by request only. If accepted, the presenter must be registered for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline of April 25, 2026. Failure to do so will result in your presentation being pulled from the conference program.

As a reminder, the NACTA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations and self-nominations for President-Elect, Canadian Regional Director, Central Regional Director, Educator Recognition Committee Chair, Global Engagement Committee Chair, Judging Conference Director, and a member of the Finance Committee from among the NACTA membership.

We encourage you to consider self-nominating for one of these positions, or to reach out to someone you feel would be a worthy candidate to inquire about their willingness to be nominated. 

The Executive Committee is the governing body that provides leadership and direction for NACTA, and all of our various programs and activities. Details and a short introduction video on each position can be found on our website here.

The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

The committee is once again inviting any interested NACTA member to join this meeting. More details are listed below:

NACTA Global Engagement Committee
The NACTA Global Engagement Committee promotes global perspectives in the scholarship of teaching and learning agriculture and related disciplines among NACTA members; encourages publication of global agriculture articles and global engagement tips in the NACTA Journal; cultivates and nurtures connections between NACTA and other organizations involved with international agriculture; increases awareness among NACTA members how global engagement promotes diversity and inclusion in agriculture and related disciplines; and enhances collaboration leading to global agriculture curriculum development and exchange programs, including identification of potential funding sources.

Thursday, November 20, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
To join this meeting, click here.
Meeting ID: 874 3594 5434
Passcode: 603579

We look forward to seeing you!

For information on how to nominate an educator for any of the following awards, please visit our website here and select the award you are interested in under the "Member Info" dropdown menu. The deadline to submit nominations is January 15, 2026.

Your leadership, your voice, your organization.
Organizational leadership positions seeking enthusiastic nominees

The NACTA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations and self-nominations for President-Elect, Canadian Regional Director, Central Regional Director, Educator Recognition Committee Chair, Global Engagement Committee Chair, Judging Conference Director, and a member of the Finance Committee from among the NACTA membership.

We encourage you to consider self-nominating for one of these positions, or to reach out to someone you feel would be a worthy candidate to inquire about their willingness to be nominated. 

The Executive Committee is the governing body that provides leadership and direction for NACTA, and all of our various programs and activities. Details and a short introduction video on each position can be found on our website here.

The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

Thank you,
NACTA Nominating Committee

NACTA President Liz Karcher's Message
#NACTA26 Workshop Abstracts - Due Nov. 1!
NACTA Central Region News
NACTA Journal Updates
New NACTA Members
Renew Your NACTA Membership

NACTA Roundup with President Elizabeth Karcher

We are now well underway into the fall semester, and I hope everyone is enjoying both the classroom experience and the many activities happening on your campuses. I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our new members. We are glad to have you as part of the NACTA community! There's a great deal of exciting work happening right now. Planning is well underway for the 2026 conference, upcoming webinars are in development, and our communities are actively working to create new opportunities for all members.

You have probably received an email containing our membership survey over the past month. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and will help guide the development of our next strategic plan. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to anyone on the NACTA Leadership Team! 

Thank you,
Liz Karcher
NACTA President

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#NACTA26 Workshop Abstracts Due November 1! Don't Miss Your Chance to Submit!

NACTA is excited to welcome workshop abstract submissions for the NACTA 2026 Annual Conference to be held June 22-26, 2026, in Starkville, Mississippi, USA. The 72nd Annual NACTA Conference will serve as a venue for faculty and graduate students in agricultural, environmental, natural, and life sciences to share their scholarship of teaching, innovative teaching and advising ideas, and other relevant teaching and learning information.

For more information and the full guidelines, click here.

To submit your abstract, click here.

NACTA Central Region News

Happy Fall Semester, NACTA Central Region!

I hope the new academic year is off to a strong and inspiring start for each of you. It is always exciting to see our campuses come alive again with students, ideas, and opportunities for growth. As your Regional Director, I am grateful for the continued energy and innovation our community brings to agricultural teaching, learning, and leadership.

This semester, I am reaching out to invite you—or someone you know—to get more involved with NACTA by serving in one of our open leadership roles. We currently have three Assistant Regional Director positions available. These roles are a great way to help shape regional activities, connect with fellow educators, and contribute to NACTA’s mission of advancing excellence in postsecondary teaching in agriculture.

In addition, we are also seeking Campus Ambassadors from across the Central Region. Campus Ambassadors serve as vital links between NACTA and their home institutions, sharing opportunities, promoting events, and helping us keep our network strong and engaged.

If you are interested in either opportunity—or if you would like to nominate a colleague—please reach out to me. Your involvement can make a meaningful difference, and it is a rewarding way to connect with other passionate educators in our field.

Wishing you a productive and fulfilling fall semester. I look forward to working with many of you in the months ahead.

Warm regards,
Gaurav Jha
Central Regional Director, NACTA

NACTA Central Region Student Member: Bo Garcia

Bo Garcia is a doctoral candidate and Extension Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, dedicated to empowering students through agricultural education. He designs accessible, hands-on learning experiences that connect learners with the meat industry and prepare them for meaningful, skill-based careers. Rooted in a philosophy of providing students with opportunities greater than his own, Bo applies innovative teaching strategies that foster both technical proficiency and personal growth. His passion for student success was sparked by his time in the Meat Judging Program and continues to grow through collaboration with educators, industry professionals, and community partners.
Fun Story: One of the most memorable teaching moments came during a meat science workshop with high school students. I was demonstrating protein extraction using a hands-on mixing method, and a group of baseball players were the first to give it a try. Let’s just say their enthusiasm translated into velocity! The meat was flung with such force that it splattered across the floor, walls, ceiling… you name it. The classroom looked like an explosion had gone off. It was a mess, but also the perfect reminder of how impactful, messy, and hilarious experiential learning can be.

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NACTA Journal Updates

Founded in 1963, The NACTA Journal  is a professional refereed journal published by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). It is directed toward the scholarship of teaching and learning and the professional advancement of the teaching of agriculture and related disciplines. The NACTA Journal presents papers on all aspects of teaching, including methods, problems, philosophy, and rewards.  The Journal offers something for every teacher in agriculture or a related discipline. Whether traditional classroom or extension-related, its primary purpose is to strengthen professional competence in college and adult teaching.

June 2025:

• 4 Submissions Received
• 2 Published

July 2025:

• 7 Submissions Received
• 3 Published

August 2025:

• 7 Submissions Received
• 2 Published

For more information on the NACTA Journal, and to submit a manuscript or teaching tip, click here.

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New NACTA Members

Southern
Adelia Bovell-Benjamin, AL
Gregory MacDonald, FL
Norma Dawkins, AL
Courtney Meyers, TX
Walker Anttila, AL
Catherine DiBendetto, SC
Savannah Douglas, AL
Paul Jackson, LA
Chandler Kyle
Ross Neles

Central
Hayden Wilder, IL
Thomas Burkey, NE
Nicholas Heller, IL
Steven Prewitt, MO
Steve Keeley, KS

Western
Matheus Cezarotto, NM
Sophie Ano

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Renew Your NACTA Membership

The North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is pleased to invite you to our 2026 Annual Conference, June 22-26, 2026, in Starkville, Mississippi, USA! Below are some important dates and deadlines to know as we move closer to next year's conference.

Dates and Deadlines for the 2026 Annual Conference:

• Call for Workshops Deadline - November 1, 2025
  For more information, and to submit a Workshop Abstract, click here.
• Call for Awards Deadline - January 15, 2026
• Call for Poster and Oral Abstracts Deadline - January 15, 2026
• Registration Open - January 2026
• Early Bird Registration Deadline - April 25, 2026
• Presenter Registration Deadline - April 25, 2026

Be on the lookout for further updates and more information on each of these deadlines. We look forward to seeing you next year in Starkville!

NACTA is excited to welcome workshop abstract submissions for the NACTA 2026 Annual Conference to be held June 22-26, 2026, in Starkville, Mississippi, USA. The 72nd Annual NACTA Conference will serve as a venue for faculty and graduate students in agricultural, environmental, natural, and life sciences to share their scholarship of teaching, innovative teaching and advising ideas, and other relevant teaching and learning information.

Workshop Guidelines
Workshops usually have a narrow focus or interest that will appeal to a smaller audience and are to be 1.5 hours in duration. All workshop proposals must have a workshop coordinator. The workshop coordinator will submit the abstract and work with the Conference Program Committee on workshop logistics. All workshop speakers must be registered for the annual conference. Abstracts are reviewed and selected by the Educational Issues & Teaching Improvement (EITI) Committee and a representative of the host institution planning committee.

Workshop Submission

Workshop submissions will be evaluated using this rubric and selected based on the following criteria: interactivity and planned hands-on activities, broad impact, multi-institutional team, highlights host institution and/or local resources, and it is sponsored by a NACTA committee. All workshop submissions must include the following information:

• Workshop coordinator and contact information (Institution, email address, phone)
• Workshop Title
• Presenters – a list of presenters or individuals who will be presenting the workshop; this list should include their name, title, institution/organization, and email address. This will be printed in the list of attendees.
• Abstract – a brief description of the goals, objectives or topics to be covered in the workshop. Connections to the role and mission of NACTA should be incorporated into the abstract narrative. Abstract information will be used in the program.

Deadline: November 1, 2025

Workshop coordinators will be notified in December 2025. Please contact support@nactateachers.org for any questions about your submission.

We hope to see you in Starkville next year!

Murray Brown NACTA Leadership Award

Do you know a member of the NACTA leadership who has gone above and beyond for the Association? Someone who has made a lasting impact on us and whose contributions will benefit NACTA for years to come? If you gave someone in mind, please consider nominating them for the Murray Brown NACTA Leadership Award. Nominations are due November 1, 2025.

Objective: To recognize one member per year for a distinguished and sustained record of NACTA leadership.

Eligibility: Nominee must be a current or emeritus NACTA member who has served in a leadership role in the organization.

Criteria: Nominations will be accepted from any NACTA member. The President-Elect (who shall chair the committee), President, and Past President shall serve as the selection committee and are not eligible for the award during their time of service on the selection committee.

Materials:

• A letter of nomination with a maximum of two pages in length documenting the nominee's exemplary leadership in NACTA.
• Three letters of support, each one page in length.
• Nominee's CV

Recognition: The recipient will be recognized at the Annual NACTA Conference with a plaque and a cash award supported by the Murray Brown endowment.

Submission: Nomination materials must be received on or before November 1, 2025. Please submit the materials here.

Deadline: November 1, 2025

For any questions regarding Murray Brown nomination materials, please email NACTA President-Elect Don Mulvaney at mulvadr@auburn.edu.

Past Blue Ribbon Speakers include Dr. Kevin Donnelly, of Kansas State University, Dr. Mark Russell, of Purdue University, Dr. Elaine Turner, of the University of Florida, Dr. Jeanette Moore, of North Carolina State University, Dr. J. Marcos Fernandez, of Purdue University, and more! Our most recent Blue Ribbon Speaker at 2025's Annual Conference was Dr. Frank Robinson, of the University of Alberta.

Any member of NACTA can nominate a Blue Ribbon Speaker, and nominations are reviewed by voting members of the EITI Committee. Click here to submit your nominations!

The deadline to submit Blue Ribbon Speaker nominations is September 15, 2025.

E.B. Knight Journal Award
Article:Examining Sense of Belonging Among Freshmen College of Agriculture Students
Published: NACTA Journal 2023 Volume 67
Authors: Christopher Estepp, Will Doss, Sarah James, Lucas Simmons, and Donald Johnson

Jack Everly Journal Award
Article: Environmental Perception: A Comparison Between Southeastern U.S. and Honduras Agricultural-Related College Students
Published: NACTA Journal 2023 Volume 67
Authors: Pablo Lamino, Carla Millares Forno, Bernardo Trejos, Shisbeth Tabora Sarimento, and Amy Boren-Alpízar

Bob Gough Teaching Tip Award
Article: Snapshots of a Wild Goosechase: Using Virtual Scavenger Hunts for Enhanced Classroom Engagement
Published: NACTA Journal 2024 Volume 68
Authors: Madison Dyment, Carrie N. Baker, and Ricky W. Telg

Congratulations to all the award winners this year!

Frank Robinson, University of Alberta

NACTA Murray Brown Award    
The Murray Brown Leadership Award recognizes one member each year for a distinguished and sustained record of NACTA leadership. The award is named in honor of Dr. Murray Brown, who served as president of NACTA in 1969-1970 and as secretary-treasurer from 1972-1999. Dr. Brown received the Teacher Fellowship Award in 1972, the Distinguished Educator Award in 1978, and a Distinguished Service Award in 1999. Dr. Brown began teaching dairy science as a graduate assistant in 1953 at Texas A&M, and served for 30 years as an administrator and teacher of animal and dairy science at Sam Houston State University. The award is supported by generous donations from NACTA members and family and friends of Murray Brown following his passing in 2005.

Dr. Frank Robinson, who started at the University of Alberta as a Professor of Poultry Production and Physiology in 1986, has served the University of Alberta in several administrative positions, including Vice-Provost and Dean of Students (2008 - 2014). He was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame and the Canadian Poultry Research Hall of Fame, was awarded a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, and is a Fellow of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and the Poultry Science Association.

It is with sincere appreciation and gratitude for his continued efforts and outstanding service that we bestow this award to our dear friend and colleague, Frank Robinson. Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do for NACTA and higher education.

NACTA President Elizabeth Karcher's Message
NACTA Past-President Cheryl Wachenheim's Outgoing Message
NACTA 2025 Conference Photos
NACTA Journal Updates
USDA Teaching Awards Nominations Process Reopens
New NACTA Members
Renew Your NACTA Membership
Featured NACTA Eastern Region Member: Michael Mashtare
NACTA Eastern Region Open Content

NACTA Roundup with President Elizabeth Karcher

A warm welcome to our newest members and a heartfelt greeting to our returning colleagues. It was wonderful to see so many excited faces at our Annual Conference in Edmonton. It was a fantastic and inspiring conference. As we prepare for the fall semester, I hope you're bringing with you fresh insights and renewed enthusiasm for our time together. Thank you to the University of Alberta and the NACTA Program Planning Committee for making the event such a success.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to Cheryl Wachenheim for her leadership over the past year, as well as to all members of our Executive Committee. I am truly honored and excited to step into this role and look forward to the year ahead. NACTA is a community that gives us a space to share our passion for teaching and learning. In the coming year, we aim to finalize our strategic plan and continue fostering opportunities for engagement and innovation within our membership.

I look forward to working with each of you. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback or questions. Thank you for the opportunity to serve an organization that has given so much to me.

Elizabeth Karcher,
NACTA President

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NACTA Eastern Region News

Featured Member: Michael Mashtare

Highlight an experience that has impacted you as a NACTA member.
One of the highlights of the past year was meeting and working with my co-director, Dr. Tasia Kendrick. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to collaborate with her and get to know her, and I hope, even as our term as co-directors ends, that our friendship continues for years to come. While many of our ideas did not receive approval from the President’s Council, we’re proud to have successfully advocated for each region to have space in the newsletter—a step toward building and strengthening our community.

Is there something about yourself would you like to share with the group to introduce yourself?
Despite containing enough sodium to fell a horse, my favorite food is Hamburger Helper Lasagna. It’s pure comfort food from my childhood and has become my go-to for celebrating milestones—birthdays, graduations, starting a new job, and even the day my daughter came home from the hospital. In fact, there’s a photo of her in my kitchen taken the day she came home posed in front of a Hamburger Helper Lasagna box. Is it the most delicious food in the world? Probably not. But I love it. As a side note, my daughter—now eight—won’t touch it and absolutely hates that picture.

Describe your most memorable mentorship/teaching moment with (a) student(s)
Like many others during the pandemic, my course transitioned to a virtual format and was delivered via Zoom. At the end of my final lecture in Fall 2020, I thanked the students for their engagement—with me and with one another—for their hard work, and for making the best of a difficult situation. I was about to end the Zoom session when I noticed that everyone was still logged in, each holding up a “thank you” sign to their camera. I’ll admit, I got emotional—and I still do whenever I look at the screenshot of that moment, now printed, framed, and hanging in my office. Like the cards, letters, and emails we receive throughout our careers, it is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—even when the world feels (and may actually be) upside down.

What icebreaker have you used in the classroom that you really enjoyed (or have you participated in that made an impact and resonated with you)?
At the start of the semester, I have students create a slide that represents their favorite movie, TV show, or song using only images—no text/words and no direct visuals from the original source. I incorporate these icebreaker slides throughout my lectures to break them into segments, offering students a mental pause, re-engaging their attention, and creating opportunities for them to learn about one another (helping foster a stronger sense of community in the classroom).

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M. Susie Whittington, The Ohio State University

NACTA Distinguished Educator Award    
This award is meant to recognize meritorious service to NACTA and to higher education through teaching, educational research, and/or administration. Those eligible must be current or retired NACTA members and have ten or more years of service to higher education. M. Susie Whittington was nominated and supported by several NACTA members, coworkers, students and friends.

Dr. M. Susie Whittington holds the honorific title, Distinguished Professor, in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, at The Ohio State University, where she served the university as Executive Director of Academic Enrichment and the Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP). She was the first woman Fellow inducted into the American Association for Agricultural Education, to whom she delivered the esteemed Invited Distinguished Lecture in 2023.

For more than 25 years, she taught Methods of Teaching, and created a university gen ed course, Toward Cultural Proficiency. She teaches Advanced Methods of Teaching. Susie directed award- winning research, “Improving the Cognitive Capacity of Students”. She is the junior author of Methods of Teaching Agriculture and Toward Cultural Proficiency. She is the lead editor for The Art and Science of Teaching Agriculture: Four Keys to Dynamic Learning.

Susie earned the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Teaching Excellence Award, as well as the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture’s (NACTA) Teaching Award of Excellence, and OSU’s Plimpton and Pomerene Teaching Awards. From OSU’s Alumni Association, she received The Josephine Sitterle Failer Award for Outstanding Service to Students where she is a co-advisor to the university-wide, Ohio Staters, Inc. Susie was bestowed the prestigious Murray Brown Leadership Award from NACTA, and their highest honor, The Distinguished Educator Award.

Dr. Whittington was a co-creator of the proposal to establish OSU’s Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning and co-led an international project to establish The Center for Teaching and Learning at Edgarton University, Kenya.

It is with sincere appreciation and gratitude for her continued efforts and outstanding service that we bestow this award to our dear friend and colleague, M. Susie Whittington. Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do for NACTA and higher education.