The Herd
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The Herd is for members ages 18-23 who enjoy social media and want to share their love of agriculture with the world. Members gain valuable skills in agriculture communication by learning from industry professionals and through hands-on experiences. Herd members are selected in the summer and participate in the program for one year.
This year’s class includes Lauren Hopkins, Zoe Jones, Savannah Selin, Cole Sundeen, and Kloe Wadd
Lauren Hopkins lives in Darwin and attended Dassel-Cokato High School. This fall she will be a freshman at Alexandria Technical and Community College majoring in communication design. Lauren was introduced to agriculture through her involvement in FFA and continues to be involved through work. She is currently working at a flower farm where they grow and sell flowers and vegetables to their community and bring fresh products into the city. Lauren also works at a winery where products come from local businesses, helping the community connect. She wants to be an advocate for agriculture to inform everyone from the city about the country that they are impacted by and connected to agriculture.
Follow Lauren's Herd experience on Facebook @llaurenHopkins Instagram @hopkins_llauren
Zoe Jones is originally from Chaska but recently moved to Bird Island when she graduated from Ridgewater College with a diploma in farm operations and management with a crop emphasis. Zoe does not come from a farm background but now works as a farm hand on a crop farm in Hector. Zoe recognizes it’s important to advocate for agriculture because she has personally experienced the disconnect most of the world has from ag. She wants to shed light on agriculture to the rest of the country because without farmers and ranchers, our country would go without so many things like food and fuel. Being able to join and be welcomed into this agriculture has been one of the biggest blessings God has given her, and that is something that is worth sharing. She has a passion to share the life we live, being surrounded by agriculture, with those who lack a connection to our industry.
Follow Zoe’s Herd experience on Facebook @zoe.jones.948392 and Instagram @dopewizard23
Savannah Selin is from Chisago County and recently graduated from North Branch Area High School. She will be attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities this fall to study animal science and agricultural education. Savannah's involvement in agriculture began on her own backyard hobby farm where her family raised highland cows, chickens, guineas, quail, goats, sheep, rabbits, and pigs. She was able to find a sense of belonging as well as many friends in the Chisago County 4-H program, where she first began showing livestock. To this day, Savannah continues to show rabbits and sheep in 4-H and has since joined the MN 4-H Agriculture Ambassador program, North Branch FFA, and Chisago County Farm Bureau. She believes it is important to advocate for agriculture because agriculture has always been a vital part of her life, and she wants to share the joy and knowledge of farming with others.
Follow Savannah’s Herd Experience on Facebook @savannah.selin.2025 and Instagram @savvyselin
Cole Sundeen is from Wright County. He is currently attending the University of Minnesota-Crookston, where he is majoring in agricultural education. Cole has been heavily involved in FFA, which sparked his passion for agriculture and teaching. This passion has led to an understanding that agriculture educators play a vital role in shaping the next generation by teaching not just about farming, but about leadership, responsibility, and the impact of agriculture on our daily lives. Being an advocate for agriculture starts in the classroom. When students understand the importance of agriculture, they’re more likely to support it and advocate for industry.
Follow Cole’s Herd experience on Facebook @cole.sundeen.79 and Instagram @sundeencole
K
loe Wadd is a sixth-generation farmer from Waseca County, Minnesota, currently entering her third year at the University of Minnesota-Crookston with a double major in agribusiness and agricultural communications. Kloe grew up on her family's crop production farm with a sweet corn business and was actively involved in FFA and 4-H, showing sheep, swine, and cattle. As both farm help and future operator of the family farm, Kloe is passionate about agricultural advocacy with a clear mission: getting correct information out to the public. Through her hands-on farming experience and communication studies, she is preparing to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, ensuring accurate information about agriculture reaches all communities.
Follow Kloe’s Herd experience on Facebook @kloe.wadd.2025 and Instagram @rooted_by_kloe
Past participants:
Lily Krona, University of Minnesota-Crookston
Mary Lanoue, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Aly Dieball, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Katelyn Kobbermann, Mitchell Technical College
Kestlyn Willert, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Jacob Runge, Ridgewater College-Willmar
Melissa Hammer, University of Minnesota-Crookston
Past networking call speakers:
Chandler Mulvaney, National Cattleman’s Beef Association
Paige Roberts, Paige Farms
Saydee Longhurst, Cleo’s Cuttings
Annaliese Wegner, Modern-day Farm Chick
Natalie Kovarik, Discover Ag Podcast
Greg Peterson, Machinery Pete
Kennedy Youngren, The Legendairy Dietician