Autumn is a Food Safety Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota, where she leads the development and implementation of statewide food safety programs tailored for food businesses operating under the Cottage Food Exemption law. Her mission is to empower cottage food producers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to grow their business safely. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Food and Nutrition from San Diego State University and a Master’s of Science in Food Science from Purdue University.

Monica McConkey has 28 years of experience in the behavioral health field as a counselor, program supervisor and administrator. She currently works as one of two Ag Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota providing support to farmers, ranchers and their families.  She is the owner of Eyes on the Horizon Consulting, a business through which she focuses on helping individuals and organizations increase resilience and mental wellness.  

Tarah Young is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Hubbard County who recently completed her M.S. in Applied Plant Science at the University of Minnesota. She grew up on a small Hereford cattle farm in Buffalo, MN, and specializes in forages, soil fertility, and pasture management.

Mercedes grew up on her family’s registered Black Angus operation in northeastern Minnesota, where she gained firsthand experience in breeding bulls, direct meat sales, and managing perennial forage systems for both pasture and hay. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from North Dakota State University and later became a Licensed Veterinary Technician through Dakota County Technical College. Now serving as a University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Carlton County, Mercedes combines her background in livestock production and animal health with her passion for forage management. She works closely with local farmers to improve the productivity and sustainability of their pasture and hay ground—helping them get the most out of their perennial forage systems.

Star Nelson, a 2019 graduate of South Dakota State University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural education, began her career teaching agricultural education before transitioning to a coordinator role at MNGLCA. For the past four years, she has served as the organization’s coordinator, planning events, managing finances, and connecting with farmers around the state. Star is passionate about agriculture and manages a hobby farm where she raises sheep, goats, cattle, poultry, rabbits, and hogs. She and her husband are proud parents to their two sons, Bailey and Tucker, and are joyfully embracing life as a busy family of four.

Deb Thooft lives near Lynd, Minnesota, where she and her husband, Scott, run a diversified cow-calf, hog, and crop farm. Their 120-head cow herd grazes 250 acres along 3 Mile Creek, and in 2019, they installed a pasture watering system to protect the creek and provide fresh water for their livestock. They also custom feed hogs and grow corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Deb has been involved with the Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association since 2007 and enjoys connecting with other producers to support sustainable agriculture. She and Scott have four children—Tanner, Taylor, Tara, and Tucker—and are proud grandparents to their grandson, Silas.

Sabrina Florentino grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Minnesota. Her family prioritizes soil health and expanding the acres grazed by livestock now including beef, sheep and poultry. Florentino brings her appreciation for integrated, resilient livestock systems to her day job as an Extension educator. Her passion for producing healthy food and her master’s research in agrivoltaics drive her Extension work providing learning opportunities on alternative livestock systems that return animals to the land.

Angela Varnum is an Extension Livestock Veterinarian for the University of MN Extension service, where she leads educational programs for new and experienced beef, dairy, sheep, and goat producers. She earned her undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University, followed by her DVM and MPH degrees from Colorado State University. Before joining Extension, Angie practiced large animal veterinary medicine in Minnesota and served as a temporary assistant professor in the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine at SDSU. Her journey into veterinary medicine was preceded by a career teaching middle and high school Spanish, and she continues to work internationally with working livestock and veterinary students.