Nick was chosen for this award by the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE).   Agriculture educators from both secondary and postsecondary levels in Minnesota are considered for this award. 

Nick will now advance to the regional competition. Regional winners advance to the National Association of Agricultural Educators competition.

Nick teaches in Riverland's Agriculture programs and serves as the advisor for the Agricultural and Food Science Technology Club.  Riverland's club is the only club in the state that combines  Collegiate FFA with Post-Secondary Opportunities in Agriculture (PAS.) He is also the coordinator of Riverland's R-STEP Summer Academy which is a pre-engineering academy focused on science, technology, and engineering.  Nick helps host the FFA Region 8 competitions in Dairy, Poultry, and Leadership at the Austin campus each year.

From Nick's Riverland profile: "I have been privileged to work as a teacher and educator in a multitude of roles and am excited to teach an area near and dear to my heart: agriculture. Growing up on a local family farm, I learned the 'why's' and 'how's' of what made agriculture so dynamic. Today, I work as a faculty instructor within the Center for Agriculture and Food Science Technology at Riverland Community College, very close to where I grew up. I am passionate about working with students and seeing them have success. Our hope is that students will embrace the concept of being lifelong learners, never forgetting that life is a journey and there is an exciting world to learn more about."

Nick received a Master's of Science degree in Agronomy with a specialization in Precision Agriculture from South Dakota State University (SDSU). He is very active in professional organizations and volunteers with many organizations.  Congratulations Nick!