What is your educational training and background?
I received my Veterinary Degree and a Master of Public Health in Food Safety and Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I grew up around agriculture, on a farm, and it just happened (this is too long of a story to tell)!
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
I have an excellent team of people to work with who are sincerely interested in teaming up with livestock producers to achieve better outcomes in food safety.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Stewardship of antibiotics is a big part of demonstrating your commitment to both animal and human health.
What is your educational training and background?
I received my Veterinary Degree and a Master of Public Health in Food Safety and Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I grew up around agriculture, on a farm, and it just happened (this is too long of a story to tell)!
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
I have an excellent team of people to work with who are sincerely interested in teaming up with livestock producers to achieve better outcomes in food safety.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Stewardship of antibiotics is a big part of demonstrating your commitment to both animal and human health.
What is your educational training and background?
I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota Veterinary School. Previously, I worked as a private practice veterinarian for over twenty years before joining the MDA.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I was looking for a professional challenge. Food safety provided an opportunity to combine my interest in drug residues and my veterinary knowledge gained from my years in private practice.
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
I truly enjoy visiting with the producers while providing useful information they can immediately put into practice. I also appreciate the Drug Residue Prevention Program team of practical, knowledgeable people who are willing to put in the extra effort in partnership with producers to make a change in food safety.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Read and follow the FDA-approved drug label, and periodically discuss animal health treatment protocols (including withdrawal times!) with your veterinarian.
What is your educational training and background?
I have a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, both from the University of Minnesota.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I have always had a strong personal and professional interest in agriculture. Working with training and outreach for the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division seemed to be a great melding of my interests and education.
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
It is wonderful to work with and get to know all of the hardworking people in our agricultural community. These people really have a passion for what they do, and they take the responsibility of raising a safe and abundant food supply very seriously.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Take advantage of the services our program’s Outreach Veterinarians can provide. They have years of practical experience and are very down to earth and easy to work with.
What is your educational training and background?
I received my Veterinary Degree and a Master of Public Health in Food Safety and Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I grew up around agriculture, on a farm, and it just happened (this is too long of a story to tell)!
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
I have an excellent team of people to work with who are sincerely interested in teaming up with livestock producers to achieve better outcomes in food safety.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Stewardship of antibiotics is a big part of demonstrating your commitment to both animal and human health.
October is Farm to School and Early Care Month, a time to celebrate food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with healthy, locally sourced foods from Minnesota’s producers.
In recognition of this month, today the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) unveiled the state’s first-ever Farm to Kids Strategic Plan. Developed collaboratively by Farm to School and Early Care partners across Minnesota, this plan is a 5-year roadmap for advancing local procurement and agricultural education in K-12 schools and early care settings.
Using insights collected from robust stakeholder engagement with producers, school food service professionals, educators, early care providers, youth, and other members of the public, the Farm to Kids Strategic Plan outlines specific goals, strategies, and actions for future Farm to School and Early Care efforts. The high-level priorities of the plan include:
- Increase purchases of Minnesota-grown and -raised foods by schools and early care settings.
- Improve integration of food and agricultural education in classrooms, cafeterias, and other educational environments.
- Build and activate a strong Farm to Kids network to foster shared, collaborative leadership among Farm to School and Early Care partners.
“For over a decade, state agencies, institutions, and organizations have been working together to support and expand participation in Farm to School and Early Care programs within Minnesota,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We thank all partners — including producers, school staff, and early care providers — for successfully bringing more local foods to students, and we look forward to further progress thanks to the steps outlined in the new Farm to Kids Strategic Plan.”
“Kids who receive nutritious foods at school are kids who are ready learn and grow,” said Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett. “By connecting our youngest learners with fresh, locally grown foods, we’re not only fueling their bodies but also planting the seeds for a lifetime of healthy choices. This program is about more than what’s on the plate — it’s about building stronger communities and ensuring that Minnesota’s children thrive both in and out of the classroom.”
The MDA will host two free webinars via Microsoft Teams to provide an in-depth overview of the strategic plan for interested members of the public, scheduled for:
- Thursday, October 24, 3-4 p.m.
Register for this event. - Tuesday, October 29, 6-7 p.m.
Register for this event.
To review the full Farm to Kids Strategic Plan and learn more about Farm to School and Early Care in Minnesota, visit the MDA website.
Partners in developing and implementing the plan include the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Health, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Renewing the Countryside, University of Minnesota Extension, and additional members of the Minnesota Farm to School Leadership Team and Minnesota Farm to Early Care Advisory Group.
The development of the Farm to Kids Strategic Plan was funded by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant received by the MDA.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Minnesota's agricultural landscape includes a vibrant mix of farms and agribusinesses that sell into local and regional ma
