Mr. Nelson — Founder / Superintendent / Lead Teacher

Mr. Nelson grew up on a diversified farm and ranch in northeastern Montana, near the Canadian border. He attended school and graduated from the Peerless School in Peerless, Montana. Mr. Nelson attended UND Williston and began an associates degree in farm and ranch management. After his first year at UND Williston, he decided to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, and began studying photography. Mr. Nelson soon realized he missed his agricultural roots and decided to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Agriculture Education in 1984. He spent the next 15 years teaching agriculture and advising FFA chapters in Scobey, Culbertson, Peerless and Opheim Montana. He was fortunate to have advised five Montana State FFA Officers during his teaching career. In 2004, Mr. Nelson began his administrative career as Superintendent of the Opheim School District. He obtained a masters degree from Montana State University in Educational Leadership. Mr. Nelson also obtained his superintendent endorsement from the University of Montana. Mr. Nelson feels it’s important that high school and adult students who do not have an opportunity to receive agriculture courses have the opportunity to do so in a convenient and flexible online format.

“I look forward to teaching all who have an interest in agriculture and want good, high quality courses. Join me in this great venture into the amazing world of agriculture!”

Kristen Reinhardt — South Carolina Teacher

I grew up in Brevard, North Carolina.  My family has had a farm since 1901.  In the past it has been a dairy and burley tobacco farm. Today, it is a beef cattle farm, where meat and eggs are sold onsite!  We also have a corn maze, that is open from August till October.  I have been around horses since I was young, mostly trail riding.  I worked for the Cliffs Communities Equestrian Center, teaching horseback riding lessons, leading trail rides and helping with other equestrian events. I also worked for a small animal veterinarian office, before starting college.  I attended Clemson University in South Carolina and graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture Education. While at Clemson I also worked at the LeMaster Dairy, which is the dairy farm at Clemson.  After graduation I received a job teaching Animal Science at Fort Mill High in SC.  This is my ninth year teaching at Fort Mill!  We have a very active FFA chapter and participate in many CDE’s and state events.  I run an internship program for my 4th level completers and also manage our school greenhouse.  I currently live in Rock Hill, SC; which is the hometown of my wonderful husband Chase.  We met at Clemson, where he graduated with a B.S. in Ag. Mech.  We have been married for 6 years and have one son Boyd who is a year old and keeps us very active.  We also have 1 quarter horse, HP, he is my husbands team roping horse, 1 donkey, Gus, he is used for trail riding and 2 dogs; Georgia a Blue Heeler and Preacher a Catahoula.  I am excited about being a part of the Nelson Agriculture Academy Online family!

April Fix — North Carolina Teacher

I grew up just outside of Reidsville, in the rural community of Bethany, North Carolina and come from a long line of farmers. Most of my life, my family raised tobacco, corn, wheat, beef cattle, hogs and chickens. We have had a few dairy cows, as well. We also had horses for riding pleasures. I have always enjoyed agriculture and working the land with my family. During my high school career, I was an active FFA member serving as chapter Reporter and President. I am also a National FFA Degree Recipient. I attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated with a B.S. and Master’s in Agriculture and Extension Education with minors in Animal Science and Agribusiness Management. While studying at NCSU, I also worked at the Dairy Education Unit, which is the dairy farm at NCSU. During my summers at home, I worked for the Upper Piedmont Research Station conducting extensive research on beef cattle and crops such as tobacco and grapes. After graduation I began my teaching career at Eastern Randolph High School in Ramseur, NC. I taught Agriscience, Animal Science I&II and Equine Science I&II. At the time, we had the top FFA Program in the state of NC and participated in numerous CDE’s. A few years later, I had the opportunity to move back home and spent two years teaching at McMichael High School in Mayodan, NC where I taught Agriscience, Animal Science I&II, Horticulture I&II and Ag Mechanics. I was able to re-build the FFA Chapter and start the Alumni Program while at McMichael. I currently live in Summerfield, NC with my husband, Andrew. Together, we have seven kids: Ansley, Lennon, Addison, Maggie, Jackson, Josie and Olivia. I decided to take a step back from teaching when my first child was born and take the time to be a mommy but have now been in the classroom over 15 years. I absolutely love teaching agriculture!

April Pittman – Director of Curriculum

April Pittman enjoyed ten years in the agriculture education classroom in Hope Mills, North Carolina. She has a love for horticulture, natural resources, and helping students live up to their full potential through agriculture education. Over the years, she has gained a Masters Degree and National Board Certification in Agriculture Education. This expertise will now be used in creating curriculum for the Nelson Agriculture Academy online. After enjoying her time in the classroom, April will now be working from home and taking care of her small children. She is here to help with any of your curriculum needs. She may be reached at april.pittman@allagonline.com.

Crystal Johnson — Teaching Assistant

Mrs. Johnson grew up on a hobby farm in west central Wisconsin. As she started her freshman year of high school in a new school, she was introduced to her first agriculture class – the first of many! After a wonderful job shadowing experience with a local veterinarian, Mrs. Johnson decided to change her original desire of becoming a veterinarian to a focus on TEACHING people about agriculture. As a high school student, she was highly involved in every aspect of the local FFA chapter.  To pursue her degree in Agricultural Education (with a minor in Animal Science), she attended the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, the state’s renowned agriculture university. Throughout college, Mrs. Johnson was involved in several agriculture clubs and enjoyed spending her summers trying out new opportunities. These ranged from serving on a Colorado dude ranch as a children’s counselor leading horseback rides in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to crop scouting green beans and peas for human consumption in Wisconsin’s popular tourist attraction area, Door County.

Upon graduation from college, Mrs. Johnson moved to eastern Montana where she taught middle school and high school agriculture in a small, rural school. She loved the classroom, the community, and learning an entirely different type of agriculture than from the dairy cows and corn she was raised amongst. During her time in Montana, she married a dairy farmer, also from Wisconsin, and they started a family. In 2012, Mrs. Johnson and her family moved back to Wisconsin to begin the succession of her husband’s family farm to the 5th generation. After that move, she did not return to the classroom. She was able to stay home raising her growing family and helping on the farm as well as volunteering in the local school through the county Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program. Currently, Mrs. Johnson is staying busy by raising her 4 children (3 boys and a girl), homeschooling two of them, milking cows, serving as the church secretary, and living life to the fullest!

Ann Newhouse —  Teaching Assistant

Ms. Newhouse grew up in southern Wisconsin, often spending time on her cousins’ dairy farms.  In high school, she followed in their footsteps taking Agriculture Education classes and joining the FFA.  She attended the University of WI – Platteville receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education.  She began her teaching career in eastern Iowa.  After two years, a yearning to move west took her to Montana where she continued teaching for over 20 years. In addition, she spent five years as a county extension agent and two years as a grain buyer at the local elevator. Ms. Newhouse recently moved back to Iowa.  She is currently substitute teaching.  When not at school, she spends her time quilting, gardening, canning and hopes to return to community theater.

Kaylee Follman — North Dakota Teacher

My name is Kaylee Follman, and I’m currently a sophomore at North Dakota State University majoring in Agriculture Education with a minor in Agriculture Extension and Equine Science. I am a certified equine and canine massage therapist and own my own business called Rafter F Animal Body Balancing. I enjoy barrel racing and spending time with my family and dog.