Investing in Future Leaders for Careers in Nebraska Agriculture
The I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign serves as an outlet for local FFA chapters to receive donations and matching funds for innovative projects in their classrooms, leadership programming, community service projects, and field trips to advance agriculture education in their schools. Donors to the 2024-25 I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign chose which chapter they supported, and 100% of each local donation was sent back to the designated chapter. Over $350,000 was donated to local FFA chapters this year.
Additionally, Nebraska FFA chapters that participated in the 2024-25 campaign had the opportunity to participate in the sponsor engagement contest. The sponsor engagement contest provided opportunities for chapters to connect with campaign sponsors through a variety of activities, including tours, speakers, podcasts, and professional development. The Nebraska FFA chapters who participated in the most sponsor engagement activities and received at least $500 in donations were recognized at the Nebraska FFA State Convention and received cash prizes, with first place receiving $1,000 in addition to the matching funds.
Osmond FFA received first, High Plains FFA second, and Rock County FFA third. “The sponsor engagement opportunities have benefited my students by exposing them to a wide variety of career opportunities they might have otherwise never heard about,” said Shelly Kubicek, advisor at Aquinas FFA. “Through guest speakers, virtual field trips, and career connection podcasts, we have heard from a multitude of business professionals. Learning about their path through education, internships, and early employment has shown my students that no two paths are the same in addition to the importance of relationship building.”
“The sponsor engagement contest activities have opened up my student's eyes to a plethora of job opportunities they didn’t realize existed or didn't think were options at particular businesses,” shared Dylan Huber, advisor at Emerson-Hubbard FFA. “Tallgrass is an interesting and innovative company that my students really found interesting because they are finding ways to solve our current world problems by repurposing old infrastructure. I really appreciate what the foundation has made available with the sponsor engagement contest and hope to continue utilizing it.”
Agricultural Producers Have Until April 15 to Enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs for the 2025 Crop Year
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2025 crop year. In Nebraska, producers have completed 74,763 contracts to date, representing 84 % of the more than 89,474 expected contracts.
“Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs provide excellent risk protection, for market declines, at no cost to the producer,” said Tim Divis, Deputy State Executive Director for FSA in Nebraska. “If you haven’t made your program election or signed a contract, please contact your local FSA county office as soon as possible to set an appointment so you don’t miss the April 15 deadline.”
Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm. Although election changes for 2025 are optional, producers must enroll, with a signed contract, each year. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm, the contract will continue for 2025 unless an election change is made.
If producers do not submit their election revision by the April 15, 2025, deadline, the election remains the same as their 2024 election for eligible commodities on the farm. Also, producers who do not complete enrollment and sign their contract by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2025 year and will not receive a payment if one is triggered. Farm owners can only enroll in these programs if they have a share interest in the commodity.
Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities: barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
AFAN and Lincoln Premium Poultry Meetings Scheduled
Please join the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, lending partners, and area agriculture groups for an educational meeting about the opportunity to grow poultry for Costco’s dedicated poultry partner, Lincoln Premium Poultry. During this informational meeting, Lincoln Premium Poultry officials will share financial and contract details, as well as explain the opportunity for a unique partnership with area farmers.
Informational meetings are being held:
April 8, 2025: 10-Noon Wayne, NE – Wayne Country Club, 302 E 21st St
April 8, 2025: 3-5 PM Norfolk, NE – Norfolk Public Library, 308 W Prospect Ave
April 9, 2025: 10-Noon Aurora, NE – Bremer Center, 1604 L St
April 9, 2025: 2-4 PM Central City, NE – City Hall, 1702 31st S
To RSVP or for Questions, reach out at 402.421.4472 or mindyr@a-fan.org
Saunders Co Livestock & Ag Association meeting
Spring is in the air, which means planting is just around the corner! Please join us for an informational meeting:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Pre-Planting Meeting
Valparaiso Legion Hall
6:30 PM Social
7:00 PM Dinner
Sponsors and speakers are:
Booth Feed and Supply, Beatrice, NE
Mussmann Ag, Jon Mussmann, Raymond, NE
Ag-Technologies, Tyler Rezac, Valparaiso, NE
The Saunders County Livestock & Ag Association Twilight Tour is being planned for June 30, 2025. More details to follow in the near future.
IANR Listening Sessions
The Institute of Ag and Natural Resources (IANR) will be hosting a series of listening sessions across the state regarding meeting the demand of Nebraska’s agricultural workforce. Below are the dates / times with a request to RSVP by clicking on the link....
Community Listening Session - Norfolk
April 8, 2025
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Divots Conference Center
4200 West Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701
https://nuramp.nebraska.edu/ems/event.php?EMSEventUUID=433d4de7-ca3d-4892-a435-f3a210a2fd85
Community Listening Session - Fremont
April 9, 2025
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Fremont Golf Club
2710 N Somers Ave, Fremont, NE 68025
https://nuramp.nebraska.edu/ems/event.php?EMSEventUUID=bfc44ef6-8021-49cf-bb21-0ed19c841e2a
Smith Statement on USTR Trade Barriers Report
Monday, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) submitted its 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to Congress. The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers.
"This annual report is a critical tool to identify tariff and non-tariff barriers to American products in the global marketplace, clearly indicating where we need increased engagement with our partners. Whether it related to market access for agriculture, manufacturing, intellectual property, digital regulations, or investor protections, the previous administration did next to nothing to address such unfair trade practices. By contrast, the current administration is more than willing to engage with our partners on trade. As they work to level the playing field, I urge President Trump and Ambassador Greer to promote market access for our hardworking producers through comprehensive, enforceable trade agreements which elevate certainty in the marketplace and rules-based economic security."
I-LEAD Class 11 International Learning Mission to Vietnam and South Korea Expands Global Perspectives
In February, the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) program traveled to Vietnam and South Korea on an international learning mission as part of the two-year program. The group studied local agriculture and visited trading partners to better understand the important role Iowa grown corn plays in global markets. The mission explored corn trade in all forms from grain to ethanol to livestock feed. I-LEAD and the Iowa Corn staff work closely with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) to dive into each market to better understand global economies and the value of trade to each market.
Throughout their travels, participants visited a commercial banana farm, worm and rubber tree farm, wet market, fish farm, feed mill and more. Each of these stops gave participants a look at trade and agricultural practices within the country and opened the door for conversations about sustainable agriculture, animal nutrition and global markets.
I-LEAD class members walked away with new perspectives, ready to use their new skills to continue driving corn demand. View key takeaways from I-LEAD members below.
Katie Jorgensen:
“Our international learning mission to South Korea and Vietnam has been incredibly impactful, strengthening trade relationships and expanding opportunities for Iowa Corn. By meeting directly with buyers and industry leaders, we gained valuable insights into their market needs and how U.S. agriculture can better serve them. This experience not only reinforced the importance of global trade but also highlighted the role of strong partnerships in securing a future for American farmers. The mission has deepened my understanding of international markets and inspired me to continue advocating for agricultural growth and innovation.”
Darin Proffit:
“The recent I-LEAD international learning mission was a life changing trip to Vietnam and Korea! Getting fully immersed in the local culture and hearing firsthand from buyers and users of our products showed me why international trade is so critical to success on our own farms. Having representatives from the U.S. Grains Council come along with us on different tours helped to show context and was very insightful. I’m honored to have represented Iowa along with my other classmates as we gained further understanding of agriculture in Asia!”
Derek Kemper:
“I had a wonderful experience traveling to Vietnam and South Korea. The hospitality that was shown to our group throughout the trip was amazing and allowed us to really experience the country’s culture. A big takeaway I had was learning how they utilize their local markets to help drive their economy. I will use this experience as I think about how I can do a better job of supporting local businesses here in Iowa.”
I-LEAD is a two-year program for talented farmers and friends of the industry who want to become strong leaders and spokespeople for Iowa agriculture. The I-LEAD 12 application cycle will open in July 2025. If you are interested in learning more about the program, visit: https://www.iowacorn.org/leadership-programs/i-lead/.
ISU Extension and Outreach Offers Women Marketing Cattle Courses
The farm management team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering three Women Marketing Cattle courses this spring.
Evening courses are offered in Decorah beginning April 8 and in Mt. Ayr beginning April 29. An all-day Saturday course is offered in Guthrie Center on May 31. The registration fee is $25.
Cattle and calves are Iowa’s fourth largest agricultural commodity, contributing more than $5 billion in agricultural sales to the economy annually. Women and beginning farmers are finding economic opportunities through beef production.
This women-centered program offers an opportunity to meet area cattle producers and learn with others in a comfortable setting. A team of instructors will provide different perspectives.
“Cattle producers have more marketing options today than ever before. They don’t have to wait and see what they get. Producers now have tools to reduce price risk in the market,” stated Tim Christensen, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist.
This course is about capturing more value from beef production by understanding the true costs of production and developing an overall marketing strategy. Instructors will compare and contrast different market channels and pricing strategies. Sales at weaning, backgrounding and finishing will be discussed. A refresher on carcass value and its relationship to price will be included.
Producers will learn how they can utilize futures prices to help them manage price risk and develop a marketing plan. They will learn more about livestock risk insurance plans, diversification and other risk management tools. Producers will gain new insights and access tools to help them analyze and understand profitability.
The course includes an interactive market simulation activity. Class members will work together in small groups to practice news skills and try out a marketing strategy.
“We will take producers through a marketing year simulation where they will make key decisions and discover how those impact their profitability,” stated Joseph Lensing, farm management specialist.
Courses
April 8-22, Decorah: Women Marketing Cattle begins at 5 p.m. with a light meal at the ISU Extension and Outreach Winneshiek County office. The course starts at 5:30 p.m. and concludes by 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday night for three weeks. The lead instructor is Joseph Lensing.
April 29 - May 13, Mt. Ayr: Women Marketing Cattle begins at 5:30 p.m. with a light meal at the ISU Extension and Outreach Ringgold County office. The course starts at 6 p.m. and concludes by 9 p.m. each Tuesday for three weeks. The lead instructor is Tim Christensen.
May 31, Guthrie Center: Women Marketing Cattle begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. A light lunch is provided during this all-day Saturday program. The lead instructor is Tim Christensen.
Registration for the courses includes meals and course materials. Registration scholarships are available by writing to Madeline Schultz at schultz@iastate.edu.
Funding for this project was provided by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under Award Number 2023-70027-40444.
More information about this and other programs for women can be found at the ISU Extension and Outreach Farm Management Team Women in Ag Program website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag/.
$537 Million in USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Grants Released for 543 Projects in 29 States
Monday U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is releasing obligated funding of $537 million under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects in 29 states, upholding President Trump’s vision of unleashing American energy. Sec. Rollins made the announcement while visiting Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) member Elite Octane in Atlantic, Iowa.
“This is very good news and IRFA members appreciate Sec. Rollins’s announcement as construction season is upon us,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “E15 is the largest untapped domestic market for American agriculture. Today’s announcement means farmers will benefit from higher demand and consumers will benefit from lower-cost options at the pump. HBIIP, a program created by USDA during President Trump’s first term, is key to helping retailers navigate current regulations on dispensing equipment for higher blends. Moving forward, we urge Sec. Rollins to work with her counterparts at EPA to implement President Trump’s previous directive to allow all current equipment to store and dispense E15 blends. By streamlining regulations, this will greatly speed up the adoption of E15 across the country while saving hundreds of millions of dollars in unneeded expenditures.”
HBIIP provides cost-share grants to retailers who are working to expand access to biofuel blends, aiming to significantly increase the sale and use of ethanol and biodiesel. On average each grant dollar has leveraged four dollars in private investment. Iowa retailers can also apply to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program for cost-share grants to offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Believes E15 Access Plays Key Part in Vision of Unleashing American Energy
Last night, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins delivered the keynote address at the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny, Iowa where she said she believes E15 plays a key part in President Trump’s vision of unleashing American energy. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:
“E15 is the only untapped, near-term market opportunity for American farmers and producers large enough to make a meaningful difference to today’s low prices. Nationwide year-round E15 would unlock a 7-billion gallon per year market opportunity for ethanol, thereby advancing President Trump’s vision of American energy dominance. Further, the production would require more than 2-billion bushels of corn, thereby boosting demand at a critical time for American farmers.
“IRFA members thank Sec. Rollins for seeing first-hand the value of biofuels while visiting Elite Octane today, an ethanol plant in Atlantic, Iowa. We also thank her for recognizing the value in HBIIP funding, as she announced today USDA would release $537 million in funding for 543 projects in 29 states. IRFA looks forward to working with Sec. Rollins to continue building this momentum and working to put farmers first by expanding access to homegrown biofuels.”
Consider Alternative to Port Entry Fees for Chinese Ships, Coalition Urges USTR
Over 300 agriculture and business organizations are asking the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to “refrain from imposing” port entry fees for all Chinese-built or flagged ships.
USTR proposed the fees after an investigation of China’s dominance of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sector – requested by five national labor unions – found the country’s subsidies and policies have enabled the Asian nation to capture more than 50% of the global shipbuilding market. China builds 83% of the big ships and container ships in the world, according to the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, which sent a letter last week to USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer, urging that USTR consider “alternative and more effective measures.”
The World Shipping Council said the fees, which could be up to $1.5 million per port entry, likely would reduce the competitiveness of U.S. exports, raise prices for U.S. consumers, and divert port traffic to Canada and Mexico.
USTR held a public hearing on the proposed fees March 24 and 26 in Washington, DC.
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