Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Kevin Dahlman and Clifford Vrieze to the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council. 

Kevin Dahlman, of Cokato, is the president and part-owner of Dahlco Seeds/Dahlman Farms, a regional seed company and farm selling hybrid corn, soybeans, small grains, and alfalfa seeds in five states.  He also serves as president of the Independent Professional Seedsman Association and as a board member of the Wright County Farm Service Agency.  Dahlman currently serves as chair of the Dassel-Cokato School Board.  He is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Dahlman replaces Stanley Sahlstrom on the Council. 

Clifford Vrieze, of Trimont, currently serves as a farm business management instructor at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Truman.  He also works as the owner-operator of the Vrieze Crop Farm, a 250-acre farm in Trimont.  Vrieze is a past president of the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators and a past school board member for Trimont Public Schools and Martin County West Public Schools.  He is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Vrieze replaces Charles Funk on the Council. 

The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) was founded in 1997, and is dedicated to improving and restructuring Agricultural Education in Minnesota at all levels.  The Council consists of 16 members, including two members (representing agricultural education and business) appointed by the Governor.