The Leading Object (IANR)
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University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Agriculture and Natural Resources, Institute of The Leading Object (IANR) November 2007 The Leading Object: November 2007 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/leadingobject Part of the Agriculture Commons "The Leading Object: November 2007" (2007). The Leading Object. 24. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/leadingobject/24 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Institute of (IANR) at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Leading Object by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Perspectives I always enjoy my travels throughout Nebraska, and each fall take keen interest in observing the harvest. November 2007 As fields yield their bounty, John C. Owens as loaded farm NU Vice President and NCTA’s 100 Cow Program Aims trucks rumble Harlan Vice Chancellor, IANR down country to Help Beginning Farmers, Ranchers roads and highways, the rewards of many people’s labor are apparent. Getting started in farming and Frequent rains have complicated ranching can be tough — and harvest for many Nebraska farmers this expensive. It can cost up to $1 year, yet progress is made each time a field million to buy land, livestock, and dries enough to let harvest continue. As equipment. we move through the weeks we see more Oftentimes, young farmers and fields picked clean, more cattle grazing cornstalks, more acres settling in for win- ranchers start out as hired hands, ter rest and the promise of spring. but that doesn’t give them the When I drive harvest roads I think business experience they need of the hard work, tenacity, and overall to truly get their own operations “smarts” of the Nebraskans who bring going. those crops in, and of IANR’s role in The Nebraska College of Tech- Nebraska’s harvest. nical Agriculture’s new “100 Beef Hampton Brett Our role in crop, soil, pest, water, Cow Ownership Advantage” program up to 100 cows. Then they are to strive and livestock research and education, gives graduates low-interest loans to to become partners in a farm or ranch in new product development, and best purchase cattle as well as an education in operation, taking their own cattle with management practices. getting their businesses started, said Dean them, Sleight said. The program provides Our role in building entrepreneurs, in Weldon Sleight. an income tax credit to resident produc- leadership development, in strengthening “We want them to leave with an asset ers who rent land to the participants. youth, families, and communities. large enough that will let them be part- The thinking is that these young farm- Our role in disseminating what we ners rather than hired hands,” Sleight ers will be more involved in the farming learn through research as quickly as said. operation knowing they own some of possible in our campus classrooms and The program will give new graduates the cattle than if they were employed as a laboratories, and throughout our state the guidance they need to become rural hired hand, he said. through extension education. entrepreneurs, he said. While students The program also provides the edu- President Milliken often says his goal have access to beginning farmer work- cational background students need to for the University of Nebraska is that we shops, they too often take the information get their own operations started, Sleight will be the best university in the country home and put it aside, never receiving the said. Students learn how to put a business in terms of serving the interests of the push they need to get started. plan together and seek financing. They citizens of our state. The 100 Cow program is designed to also will learn about succession planning, Amen to that. give them that push. so they will be knowledgeable should a It’s why land-grant universities were NCTA is partnering with USDA’s business partner get out of farming or created. It’s why we are needed. And we Farm Service Agency, which is making ranching. will go right on being needed as long as loans available at 5 percent interest to Succession plans are important because we fulfill our land-grant responsibility participating students. Upon graduation, oftentimes when a producer dies, his continued on page 2 the participants use the money to buy continued on page 2 Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources • University of Nebraska–Lincoln Perspectives continued from page 1 of taking the resources of Nebraska’s a variety of IANR programs carry a Web Longtime university to Nebraska’s residents, of address readers can use to learn more. Agronomist listening to their needs, and delivering Also new to the At Work for Nebraska highly-valued programs. Web site are IANR Conversations, short Furrer Dies We hear concerns expressed locally videos in which members of our IANR John Furrer, a and nationally that as state tax dollars community talk about how we in the longtime University supporting research decline, more research Institute are at work for our state. New of Nebraska–Lincoln video is added weekly. will follow research dollars, meeting the Extension special- Please share these with others. Help needs of granting agencies, rather than the ist and a former needs of the citizens of the states. tell the story of how IANR is at work for “Backyard Farmer” Let me be very clear on this: IANR’s Nebraska. panelist, died October commitment is, and will remain, firmly The At Work for Nebraska Web site 3. He was 87. focused on Nebraskans’ needs, through carries many tools for us to use, but the Furrer, a retired John Furrer both applied and basic research. thing about tools is, no matter how good agronomist, served As Nebraska’s land-grant university, we they are, they can’t do the job if we don’t with the University’s Cooperative Extension are at work for Nebraska. use them. Please do. Service for 41 years. He was a “Backyard So when I think about harvest in IANR has a wonderful story to tell, Farmer” panelist for 33 years. He was past Nebraska, I also think about harvest for of planting and bountiful harvest for president of the Nebraska Cooperative Nebraska. Such as the conservative 15-to- Nebraska, of benefit and a proud tradition Extension Association and received its 1 return Nebraskans receive for each state of providing strong return on investment. Distinguished Service Award. tax dollar invested with IANR. Every day the work of our faculty and staff Furrer also served on the board of We contribute to both Nebraska’s shows our commitment to being the best directors of the Lower Platte South Natural economy, and way of life. We are at work university in the country in terms of serving Resources District and is in the Hall of for Nebraska in a variety of ways. the interests of the people of our state. Agricultural Achievement. Some of these ways we capture four times It’s why we’re here. It’s how we’re at a year in the brief, eye-catching At Work work for Nebraska. for Nebraska newsletter first published in Public Service to June. June and September issues are on the atworkfornebraska.unl.edu Web site, to Ag Awards Given be followed with issues in December and University of Nebraska–Lincoln Exten- March. Brief, well-written nuggets about sion Dean Elbert Dickey has received one of three Public Service to Agriculture Awards from the Nebraska Agribusiness Club. NCTA’s 100 Cow Program Aims to Help Steven Wright, a corn and soybean producer from Benedict, also was honored Beginning Farmers, Ranchers (continued from page 1) at the club’s 41st annual awards banquet or her children don’t want to take over Rich Barta, Farm Loan Chief with FSA, November 1st in Lincoln. ownership of the operation but do want said the agency’s goal is to help beginning The late Neal E. Harlan of Valley was the money from it. A sibling or even a farmers and ranchers. He worked with honored posthumously. Harlan, who died in 2003, and his wife, Leone, made non-relative who does want to take it over Sleight to develop the program. numerous contributions to the Institute usually doesn’t have the money to buy the “This particular program fits into our of Agriculture and Natural Resources and others out, Sleight said. mission perfectly,” Barta said. other entities at UNL. The business plan and actual experience Thirty-six NCTA students attended an in running a business will better equip the October 10 seminar on the program. Sleight students to get future business loans, and hopes NCTA students view the 100 Cow Need to meet with the the cattle ownership will give them col- program as a means of eventually growing a lateral, Sleight said. small business into a larger operation. Vice President/Vice Chancellor? Drop-ins each Friday from 3-5 p.m.* – Lori McGinnis John C. Owens Editor - Lori McGinnis • Layout - Anne Moore The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, NU Vice President for religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation. Agriculture and Natural Resources and Harlan Vice Chancellor of IANR The Leading Object is published monthly for all IANR staff members by Communications & Information Technology. Questions or story ideas may be 202 Ag Hall • (402) 472-2871 directed to the editor at *Occasionally Dr. Owens will be 103 ACB, 0918; via e-mail ([email protected]) or via fax (402-472-0025).