Mecosta-Osceola Career Center (MOCC) teacher Katie Courtade received Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 2025 Educator of the Year Award during the organization’s 106th State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids on Dec. 2.
Since its launch in 2023, Courtade has been the driving force behind the AgriScience and Natural Resources program at MOCC. It offers students in five area schools hands-on experiences and skill development in diverse agricultural fields, including agribusiness, animal science, environmental science, food processing, natural resources, horticulture and technical systems.
“I was raised on a 300-acre registered Ayrshire farm in Conklin, Michigan, and my parents got me very involved in the farm, and soon I had my own herd of cattle,” Courtade said.
“I really liked educating youth about agriculture, so I went to Michigan State, and my academic advisor said, ‘Hey, how about a career in ag education?’ So, 17 and a half years later, here I am and loving every day of it, and every day is a new adventure.”
Under Courtade’s leadership, the program at MOCC has developed a new barn, a greenhouse and a 10-acre apple orchard she and her students are actively revitalizing — both as an educational resource and to provide fresh fruit for the greater community. She has also reestablished an FFA chapter at MOCC, offering students invaluable leadership opportunities and a platform for showcasing their agricultural skills.
Beyond the classroom, Courtade’s dedication extends into her efforts to forge strong partnerships with key organizations, including the Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, MSU Extension, county Farm Bureaus, and local farmers and businesses.
These collaborations ensure students get a well-rounded education and are connected to vital resources for future success. Her unwavering commitment to agricultural education prepares students for promising careers while strengthening the agricultural community in Mecosta and Osceola counties.
“My goal is to have these students walk out of here with skills to be successful in the workforce, career opportunities, and also those life skills to be successful in their job,” Courtade said.
“If I can get kids, every kid, to learn one new thing every day, I've done my job.”
In recognition of her achievements, Courtade received a grant to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference and a $500 classroom grant from the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture sponsored by AgroLiquid.
MFB’s Educator of the Year award honors teachers who excel at integrating agriculture and natural-resource concepts into their curricula while challenging students to develop critical-thinking skills through the analysis of agricultural issues and information.
Promising teachers are nominated annually by county Farm Bureaus.
Sponsorship comes from the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, a 501(c)(3) governed by Michigan Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors, which contributes to the future of Michigan agriculture through leadership and educational programming.