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T TEACHINGEACHING

Spring 2026
MINNESOTA’S K–12 EDUCATION CONNECTIONTODAYTODAY MN ™
MN

Lac qui Parle Valley Schools Agriculture Program at Park Rapids

(LQPV) to Offer Unique Opportunity Schools named Outstanding Middle/

for Students Secondary Ag Ed Program by NAEE!

Lac qui Parle Valley students will gain valuable experience in Park Rapids Ag Going from no program to hiring a
Schools #2853 carpentry, construction management, team- Education has been second teacher in less than a year demon-
Lac qui Parle work, and problem-solving. This type of named the Region III strated the interest of the students and the need
Valley (LQPV) experiential learning not only strengthens Outstanding Middle/ to add more offerings and expand our space.
Schools is embark- technical competencies but also helps stu- High School Ag In the community listening sessions leading
ing on an exciting and meaningful initiative dents explore potential career pathways Program by the National Association of Agri- up to a referendum, the things that we teach in
that will provide students with a hands-on, in the trades—an area of growing demand cultural Educators! As a region winner, this our courses were exactly what the voters and
career-focused learning experience during across Minnesota and the nation. means that our program is one of only six out- taxpayers wanted to see more of. This resulted
the 2026–2027 school year. Through a col- The foundation of this project was standing programs across the nation! in a referendum, which failed the previous two
laborative effort involving local, regional, made possible through the efforts of LQPV The Park Rapids Agricultural Education times, passing by a wide margin in 2021.
and state partners, LQPV students will have Counselor Paul Lowry, who successfully Program was re-established in 2019, after a We have gone from one small class-
the unique opportunity to build a house from secured a $100,000 grant from the Min- 30-year hiatus, by Stephen Funk, who com- room to three classrooms, a welding shop, a
the ground up—an experience that blends nesota Housing Finance Agency. This pleted program approval and re-chartered the full industrial kitchen, a teacher’s office, and
technical skill development, community critical funding serves as a cornerstone for Park Rapids FFA Chapter. Stephen was joined a workspace for our officers. We are still in
engagement, and real-world application. the project, ensuring that students have the by teachers, Amber Seibert in 2020, and the process of securing funds to continue to
At the center of this initiative is newly resources necessary to engage in a high- Ashley Schmitz in 2022. Allison Offerdahl, a enhance our facilities and equipment. We hope
hired Industrial Technology teacher Tom quality building experience. graduate of Park Rapids Area Schools and one to add a greenhouse and outdoor learning labs
Walsh, who will lead students through the In addition to this funding, LQPV is of our FFA alumni, replaced Ashley Schmitz in the future!
construction process. Under his guidance, in the fall of 2025. Continued on Page 16
Continued on Page 4

THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

St. Cloud State University • Northeast Iowa Community College • MN Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association
North Dakota State College of Science • Hamline University • Viterbo University • Project Build Minnesota
University of Minnesota Crookston • Big Ideas USA • Ziegler Cat • LECET-MN/ND, LiUNA MN/ND
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture • FTIUM • Augsburg University