
A Chat with Sarah Dornink MAELC Executive Director
Farm Market News: What is your professional affiliation? How long have you served in this position?
Sarah Dornink: I am the executive director of the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council. I have served as the director since 2013; however, I started with MAELC in the assistant role in 2006.
FMN: What are your organization’s primary objectives?
SD: MAELC is a 17-member legislative council that provides leadership to promote and expand agricultural education in Minnesota. The state Legislature, agricultural educators and agriculture industry leaders are all represented on the council. Our work is based around key goals and strategies to enhance agriculture, food and natural resource education, which can be categorized into four broad themes, including quality of instruction, increasing the numbers and types of those involved in AFNR education, improving the understanding of AFNR systems and supporting AFNR programs locally and statewide.
FMN: How does your organization benefit its members?
SD: Although we do not have specific “members,” we work with the agricultural instructors and programs across the state at multiple levels including agricultural literacy, school-based AFNR education, postsecondary AFNR education, teacher preparation in agricultural education and farm business management. We support their work providing quality AFNR instruction to as many individuals as possible. This is done through advocacy to improve the understanding and needs of AFNR programming, engaging stakeholders to advance our statewide goals and strategies and financially supporting AFNR programs and individuals who want to become agriculture teachers through legislative dollars.
FMN: Where did you grow up?
SD: I grew up on a small swine and sheep farm near Harmony.
FMN: Do you farm currently? If so where?
SD: No, we do not currently farm as we live in the metro area; however, my husband and I do own a few head of cattle that are housed with my in-laws’ beef herd near Preston.
FMN: Family?
SD: My husband, Dallas, is employed at the University of Minnesota Meat Laboratory, and we are raising two children, Evelyn and Bryson.
FMN: Outside interests?
SD: With chasing two small children and working, there isn’t much time for outside interests, but I do like traveling, reading, golfing and spending time with family and friends.
FMN: What advice would you give young people looking at a career in agriculture?
SD: Do your research — job shadow, intern, visit college campuses — start building your network, find multiple mentors, get involved in agriculture organizations and be open to careers you’ve never considered.
Sarah Dornink: I am the executive director of the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council. I have served as the director since 2013; however, I started with MAELC in the assistant role in 2006.
FMN: What are your organization’s primary objectives?
SD: MAELC is a 17-member legislative council that provides leadership to promote and expand agricultural education in Minnesota. The state Legislature, agricultural educators and agriculture industry leaders are all represented on the council. Our work is based around key goals and strategies to enhance agriculture, food and natural resource education, which can be categorized into four broad themes, including quality of instruction, increasing the numbers and types of those involved in AFNR education, improving the understanding of AFNR systems and supporting AFNR programs locally and statewide.
FMN: How does your organization benefit its members?
SD: Although we do not have specific “members,” we work with the agricultural instructors and programs across the state at multiple levels including agricultural literacy, school-based AFNR education, postsecondary AFNR education, teacher preparation in agricultural education and farm business management. We support their work providing quality AFNR instruction to as many individuals as possible. This is done through advocacy to improve the understanding and needs of AFNR programming, engaging stakeholders to advance our statewide goals and strategies and financially supporting AFNR programs and individuals who want to become agriculture teachers through legislative dollars.
FMN: Where did you grow up?
SD: I grew up on a small swine and sheep farm near Harmony.
FMN: Do you farm currently? If so where?
SD: No, we do not currently farm as we live in the metro area; however, my husband and I do own a few head of cattle that are housed with my in-laws’ beef herd near Preston.
FMN: Family?
SD: My husband, Dallas, is employed at the University of Minnesota Meat Laboratory, and we are raising two children, Evelyn and Bryson.
FMN: Outside interests?
SD: With chasing two small children and working, there isn’t much time for outside interests, but I do like traveling, reading, golfing and spending time with family and friends.
FMN: What advice would you give young people looking at a career in agriculture?
SD: Do your research — job shadow, intern, visit college campuses — start building your network, find multiple mentors, get involved in agriculture organizations and be open to careers you’ve never considered.