Support CFANS students on Give to the Max Day 2020

Suzanna Viau, Agricultural Communication & Marketing, BS '22

Students value CFANS for many reasons — the strong sense of community, the opportunity to conduct practical research that makes a tangible impact, and the globally-minded, interdisciplinary approach to solving the world’s grand challenges are just a few of the things that make their experiences here so meaningful and their futures so promising. At CFANS, students can tailor their educational paths to fit their interests and prepare themselves to be competitive in the marketplace and contributors to a better world.

Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances arise and students find themselves in need of some extra financial help as they pursue their undergraduate or graduate degrees. The CFANS Student Emergency Fund provides relief to students facing unexpected financial hardships at any time — and has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year, contributions to CFANS for Give to the Max Day on November 19 will go to the CFANS Student Emergency Fund, ensuring the CFANS community can continue to support students during difficult times. Meet a few of the students who’ve graciously shared stories of how the fund made a difference for them.

Jessica Jurcek, a third year undergraduate student in environmental science, policy and management, explains that CFANS provides the perfect blend of hard science and policy which prepares her to be a better communicator with scientists when she begins her career in policy. “College is expensive, and it's expensive to live in the Twin Cities. In order to be a student you do need that financial support to have the peace of mind to focus on your studies,” Jess explained. She underscored the importance of the CFANS Student Emergency Fund saying, “In terms of securing a better future for agriculture we need students to be learning and ready to take on leadership roles in the future, and we can’t do that if we’re not sure how we’re going to pay our rent.”

Michelle is a fourth year entomology PhD student. At the University of Minnesota and CFANS, Michelle has valued the opportunity to meet a variety of people and to promote diversity and inclusion within her department. When the pandemic forced her to work remotely, she needed reliable Wi-Fi at home. The CFANS Student Emergency Fund provided her financial support that helped pay for Wi-Fi so she could continue her education.

Lauren Kreager will graduate in 2021 with a major in animal science. Finding her place, even within such a large university, has made Lauren’s time at CFANS so special. “I get to see students and professors that know me. It's nice to know that people know who I am, which is what I was kind of nervous about going to a larger school, so I am glad I found that within CFANS.” Lauren loves the dedication that she sees as a CFANS student. “All of my professors and other faculty that I have interacted with have been super passionate about what they do and also about how I succeed,” she said. When her full time position as a research assistant was cut to less than ten hours a week, Lauren was left without a way to save up for fall semester. “My job gets me through paying for school each year, and student loans can only cover so much of that.”

Zacariah Booth is a third year agricultural, communications and marketing student. His time at CFANS has allowed him to connect with small clubs and Indigenous groups while enjoying his time on a campus full of greenery. “I liked the agriculture program here so much that I didn’t apply anywhere else,” Booth explained. His time at CFANS has also furthered his career goals. “My end goal is to own my own farm in the next five to ten years, and CFANS has definitely helped me lay the groundwork to be successful in that.” When it came to needing financial assistance, Zachariah’s old laptop wouldn’t work once classes were moved online. “It became abundantly clear that that laptop was not going to cut it. The emergency fund helped me almost completely pay for a new laptop.”

CFANS Alumna Tracy Linbo, BS ‘94, applied economics and agronomy, is a former donor to the CFANS Student Emergency Fund. She currently works in risk management for farmers and operates a pick-your-own berry farm with her husband. While she studied at CFANS, Linbo participated in the CFANS ambassador program and was in the first group of the CFANS Mentor Program. “If an emergency fund can help [students] have a balanced life while at college, I think that’s a great way to do it. Some people fall on really hard times that they weren’t expecting, and to be able to get them through school. It’s great that we can help them do that.”