Wednesday April 16 Ag News

New board members and officers elected to the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council

Following its annual meeting on March 21, 2025, the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council (NALC), which governs the Nebraska LEAD Program, has announced leadership changes that will take effect with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2025.

Four individuals have been appointed to join the NALC Board of Directors beginning this summer:
    Darrell Kahler, David City, Nebraska – Director of the Protein Ingredient Division at Thomas Foods International and a graduate of Nebraska LEAD Class 32.
    Josh Frizzell, Kearney, Nebraska – Broker/Cash Advisor for AgWest Commodities in Holdrege and a graduate of Nebraska LEAD Class 35.
    Boone McAfee, Omaha, Nebraska – Director of Stakeholder Relations for Bayer Crop Science and a graduate of Nebraska LEAD Class 38.
    David Moss, Lincoln, Nebraska – Developing Markets Officer with Farm Credit Services of America and a graduate of Nebraska LEAD Class 40.

In addition to these appointments, Kevin Peterson, a farmer from Osceola, Nebraska, was reelected to serve a second term on the board, beginning July 1.

The Nebraska LEAD Program and NALC extend heartfelt thanks to the four outgoing board members—Jay Rempe, Scott Meradith, Raymond Morse and Nicole Bohuslavsky—for their dedicated service. Their terms will conclude on June 30, 2025.

Additionally, during a brief third-quarter meeting held after the annual gathering, the NALC Board elected new officers who will begin their leadership roles with the new fiscal year:
    Jessica Groskopf, Chair
    Matt Dolch, Vice Chair
    Bobbie Kriz-Wickham, Secretary
    Scott Blehm, Treasurer

“We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding leaders to the NALC Board,” said Kurtis Harms, Director of the Nebraska LEAD Program. “Each brings a deep understanding of Nebraska agriculture and a strong commitment to developing future leaders. We’re also incredibly grateful to our outgoing board members whose service and insight have helped shape the continued success of the Nebraska LEAD Program.”

The Nebraska LEAD Program is the state’s premier two-year agricultural leadership development program. Through seminars, study/travel experiences and in-depth training, the program prepares individuals in agriculture for future leadership roles in the state, nation and world.

For more information about the Nebraska LEAD Program, visit lead.unl.edu.



90 students awarded scholarships through Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

Ninety bold and driven students have been awarded scholarships through the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for the 2025-26 academic year. A total of $175,000 in one-time scholarships will support these aspiring builders in their pursuit of purpose and entrepreneurial growth.

Rooted in a gift from the Paul and Virginia Engler Foundation, the Engler program was founded in 2010 with a mission to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. Today, Engler is more than a program—it’s a community where students from all majors and backgrounds converge to build purpose-driven enterprises, turn problems into solutions, and chase down the American Dream.

2025-26 Scholarship Recipients:
Incoming Freshman Scholarship Winners:
Bladen: Aidyn Bonifas
Chadron: Jadyn Tidyman
Cook: Nolan Wellensiek
Denton: Addison Woods & Micah Pracheil
Fort Lupton, Colo.: Vincent Gittlein
Friend: Zach Spohn & Baylor Behrens
Gothenburg: Maxwell Wyatt
Harrisburg: Isaac Olsen
Herman: Mason Stoddard
Hildreth: Alex Casper
Kennard: Jack Pohlmann
Long Pine: Miah Ortner
Loomis: Garrett Scholz
Monroe: Clara Preister
North Platte: Landan Greeno
Ord: Claire Cargill
Pender: Alex Roth
Scribner: Aubree Schlueter
Tryon: Peyton Paxton
Waco: Josephine Turnbull

Continuing Student Scholarship Winners:
Adams: Trevor Parde
Ainsworth: Libby Wilkins
Albion: Braden Benes & Brant Benes
Amherst: Breanna Bosshamer
Ashland: Jessie Lamp
Aurora: Morgan Bonifas
Avoca: Jenna Knake
Azle, Texas: Kaytlynn Lemley
Bartley: Bryn Lampe
Beatrice: Kaden Van Winkle
Blair: Alexis Warner
Blue Hill: Libby Macklin
Brainerd, Minn.: Addison Hillman
Bridgeport: Laura Albro & Bethany Nichols
Broadwater: Alexis Harding
Burwell: Jaci Larsen
Chambers: Claire Woeppel
Cozad: Sarah Treffer
David City: Lydia Ockander
Deshler: Colten Isernhagen
Dodge: Meg Anderson
Eddyville: Adi McFarland
Fairbury: Alexis Mau
Firth: Erin Oldemeyer
Fremont: Adelaide Witte
Gering: Mackenzie Liakos
Gothenburg: Jake Burge, Elissa Foley & Braeden Anderson
Hamilton, Mich.: Nate Freyhof
Hay Springs: Braydon Binger
Hooper: Ashley Abrahams
Indianola: Nathan Rippe
Julian: Abby Hodges
Kearney: Logan Greeno & Gage Fryda
Lincoln: Riley Dinslage & Austin Kamm
Loomis: Allison Walbrecht
McCook: Charlie Bortner
Morse Bluff: Nolan Williams
North Bend: Paige Bunn
North Platte: Ceidan Childears
Oakland: Isabella Benne
Ogallala: Caleb Most
O'Neill: Emma Wrede
Orchard: Karter Otte
Ord: Adam Knapp
Osmond: Reagan Choat
Pender: Brieann Bruns
Rising City: Rylie Carter & Alexa Carter
Roseland: Ashley Bonifas
Saint Paul: Madison Hirschman & Zach Hirschman
Seward: Crayton Koranda
Shelby: Eli Kreikemeier
Shickley: Lynley Swartzendruber
St. Paul: Abby Hirschman
Stapleton: Lance Jones & Caleb Burnside
Steinauer: Leah Christen
Sumner: Mattie Beattie
Sutton: Carson Mau
Waco: Cora Hoffschneider
Waverly: Emelia Rourke

These scholarships reflect our commitment to investing in the people who are ready to build—people willing to take risks, solve real problems, and lead with grit and humility. For more information, contact program director Tom Field at 402-472-5643 or tfield2@unl.edu.



Antelope-Pierce Livestock Producers Education Meeting 
Hosted by the Antelope Pierce Cattlemen

Date: April 17, 2025
Networking: 6:30 p.m. CT
Program: 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: Pierce Public Library (207 W Court St, Pierce, NE 68767)

Learn more about EQIP, CSP, LRP and farm succession and estate planning.

Contact: Eric Woita, (402) 340-3620 or Bonita Lederer, (402) 450-0223



BQA Training - Columbus
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Time: 4 PM
Venue: Ag Park - 822 15th Street, Columbus, NE 68601
Registration Link: https://cvent.me/mvMgMD



Northeast Nebraska Cattlemen Steak Fry
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Social: 6:00 p.m. CT
Steaks: 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: Wayne Co Fairgrounds (301 Pheasant Run, Wayne)
Contact: Joel Bruns, (402) 922-0112 or Russ Urbanec, (402) 369-4972



PSC ISSUES PRO-AG GRANTS REOPENS APPLICATION PERIOD

The Nebraska Public Service Commission has awarded 14 grants for the 2024-2025 Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grant (PRO-AG) program (C-5600) and is reopening the process to receive additional applications.

Created by the legislature’s Precision Agriculture Grant Act, the PRO-AG program makes available nearly one million dollars in grants annually to boost rural economic development through connectivity, sustainability, traceability, and autonomy for farm sites in unserved areas of Nebraska.

The PRO-AG program is divided into two distinct subprograms: Connectivity and Devices and Technology. Grant funding is separated equally between the two subprograms. During the 2024-2025 grant cycle the Commission received 31 applications for funding. Upon review of the applications received the Commission determined 14 submissions would be funded. All 14 grants awarded were in the Devices and Technology subprogram for a total of $552,363.52.

Four applications were received for the Connectivity subprogram. However, upon review by the Commission it was determined that each of the four Connectivity subprogram applications describe a general-purpose connectivity project rather than one specific enough to meet the criteria for the PRO-AG grant funding as required by statute.

As a result, and in order to utilize the remaining funding allocated for the 2024-2025 PRO-AG program, the application period will be reopened. Applications for the second round of the 2024-2025 PRO-AG grant application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m.(CT), on or before May 6, 2025.

Commissioner Schram said, “Our goal is to award all of the available funding. We encourage those interested in participating in this second go round to reach out to Commission staff should they have questions about a project’s qualifications.”

Questions can be directed to Commission staff at psc.broadband@nebraska.gov. Projects funded through today’s awards must be completed on or before April 15, 2026. A list of the projects approved through the PRO-AG program can be found on the PSC website https://psc.nebraska.gov/precision-agriculture.



E15 Momentum Continues with Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program

Tuesday Iowa’s cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) awarded almost $1 million in grants to add E15 to 94 Iowa retail fuel sites throughout the state. Momentum toward compliance with Iowa’s E15 Access Standard continues to build as these 94 grant follow the record 111 grants awarded just last month. To date, there have been a total of 297 E15 projects awarded this fiscal year, which began last July 1. The RFIP board is expected to hold at least one more meeting to award grants before the fiscal year ends on June 30.

“This continued momentum is reflected all across Iowa from retailers, to consumers, to farmers who are all asking for increased access to E15,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Monte Shaw. “Today’s grants follow the recent Higher Blends Infrastructure Program announcement of $537 million in grants and the release of the 2024 Iowa Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report that showed an increase of E15 sales to 257 million gallons, up 45% year-to-year. This attests to the push to make E15 a standard option at the pump.”

For this fiscal year, RFIP has awarded just over $10 million in grants which includes 297 E15 projects and 39 biodiesel grants to date.

“IRFA continues to urge the Legislature to fully fund the RFIP program for next fiscal year,” said Shaw. “With over $10 million in grants already out the door this year, we hope the Legislature will appropriate at least $10 million to the program for next year. This has been the typical amount and, if anything, they should increase it to cover the high demand. Retailers are working hard to meet the E15 Access Standard, so one more round of RFIP grant funding is necessary to help get them across the finish line.”

In total to date, the program has distributed over $58 million, which has leveraged an ever greater amount of private funds, to help fund ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure across Iowa. The program has led to millions of dollars of private economic investment and hundreds of new stations offering higher blends of renewable fuels at the pump.