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Minnesota Farm Bureau ag educator of the year credits FFA for career path
Minnesota Farm Bureau’s post-secondary ag educator of the year credits FFA for putting him on his career path.
Keith Olander is the dean of agricultural studies at Central Lakes College.
“I grew up on a diversified farm (with) multiple species of livestock and crops, and I loved agriculture (and food production.) But really when I got in and experienced FFA, Green Hand Camp really kind of initiated things. And my advisor, I just looked at what he was doing at the time and I identified that as the pathway I wanted to go.”
Olander, who is attending the American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta as a guest of Minnesota Farm Bureau, says he wants to make a similar impact.
“I love when we can get youth, particularly when you’re visiting with them six, eight, ten years after high school or college and you listen to where their pathway has been. It’s really fun to see that, and not that I’m the only sole one, but you had a little piece of the puzzle so to speak in their life to help them step forward. That’s always a rewarding experience.”
Olander’s son Ben was last year’s Minnesota FFA state president.
