www.nefb.org FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 | VOL. 38 | ISSUE 1 FARM BUREAU NEWS 4 Trade Victories NEFB-PAC Friends 6 of Agriculture SWEET SIXTEEN YF&R Conference LEADERSHIP FINALIST 9 Success ACADEMY PAGE 8 INSIDE 10 Teacher of the Year PAGE 5 Nebraska Farm Bureau board sets 2020 agriculture policy priorities he Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors has set the organization’s public policy priorities for 2020. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s state policy Nebraska Farm Bureau’s national policy TEach year the Board identifies priorities to guide the priority list for 2020 includes: priority list for 2020 includes: organization in its efforts to support Nebraska’s farm and l Reducing Nebraska’s overreliance on l Continuing to promote and work to expand international ranch families. property taxes and seeking a more markets for Nebraska agricultural products. “There are many issues that impact our farms and balanced system to fund education. l Ensuring federal regulations and federal programs work ranches. It’s no secret that when agriculture does well, our l Growing Nebraska’s livestock sector for farm and ranch families including: rural communities thrive, and our entire state benefits. To and value-added agriculture. l Appropriate allocation of federal assistance to expand that end, it’s imperative we focus on the areas where we l Expanding farm and ranch access broadband access in rural areas; can do the most good in helping our members be success- to high-quality broadband service l Protecting farmers’ access to modern farming technology, ful,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president. statewide. veterinary medications and crop protection tools; Every policy issue Farm Bureau works on is connected in l Proactive engagement on both state l Proper implementation of renewable energy mandates; some way to helping members keep their operations viable water quality and quantity issues. l Monitoring conservation compliance implementation in a world where weather, markets, technology and other l Making sure regulations are workable and appeals process; economic forces are constantly changing, he said. for Nebraska farms and ranches. l Defending animal agriculture production and supporting “Our mission is to enrich the lives of Nebraska’s farm policies to enhance profitability. and ranch families, and by working in these areas we can l Ensuring farmers and ranchers can meet their labor/ help create opportunities for our members to prosper,” workforce needs. said Nelson. NEFB President Steve Nelson thanks Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn for her work on LB 974, making sure property tax relief is the top priority this session, and K-12 school funding is addressed. SEE MORE NEFB DAY AT THE CAPITOL PHOTOS ON PAGE 15. 2 OPINIONS NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU NEWS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 The power of positive relationships s I write this column, it’s fair responsibility for funding K-12 schools know than someone you don’t. That’s why I want to to say Nebraska Farm Bureau and addresses inequities where the state is thank all our Farm Bureau members who are taking A is chest deep in our support funding the majority of education costs for similar steps to build relationships with their elected for LB 974, the main property tax some Nebraska students, while providing leaders. We’ve had members participating in County relief bill under consideration by the little to no resources for others (namely those Farm Bureau Days at the Capitol, where individu- Legislature. While no bill is perfect, who attend rural schools). By using more als can personally interact with their senator in the LB 974 is a good bill that checks many state monies to replace local property taxes legislative environment. Making a call to your senator of the boxes for us in terms of what that fund K-12 schools, LB 974 finds a balance or attending a town hall event is another great way we’d like to see happen with property that respects schools and the taxpayers who to make a connection and put a face to a name. When tax relief and school funding reform. support them. our elected leaders are faced with tough decisions For starters, it provides more than Steve Nelson As we’ve continued to push LB 974, it’s that impact farm and ranch families, it makes a world $336 million in property tax relief for PRESIDENT, no secret that good relationships with our of difference when they’re contacted by someone they NEBRASKA Nebraskans. It would lower statewide FARM BUREAU elected officials matter. Nebraska Farm Bu- know, trust, and have a relationship with. Make no property tax collections by more than reau has been fortunate to have built a strong mistake, getting to know those who are elected to 8 percent across the board. Owners of agricultural working relationship with Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of represent us is always time well spent. land could see as much as an 11 percent reduction Elkhorn who chairs the Legislature’s Revenue Com- in taxes once LB 974 is fully implemented. The mittee and is a main architect of LB 974. When you Until Next Time, bill also puts our state on path of taking greater need help, it’s always easier to call on someone you County Farm Bureau ‘Day at the Capitol’ DOUGLAS COUNTY The Douglas County Farm Bureau Board of Directors participated in a SAUNDERS COUNTY County Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol and County Board training in Lin- coln Feb. 18. Bruce Rieker, NEFB vice president of governmental relations Members of Saunders County Farm Bureau came to the State Capitol (left), Sally Habrock, Ryan Ueberrhein, Fred Tonack, Rob Gottsch, and Brady Feb. 10 to attend a County Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol. Joe Vasa Revels participate in a Q&A about property tax relief for agriculture. (left), visited with state Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard; Jay Ferris, NEFB director of grassroots; Larry Heyen and Paul Cernik. Sen. Bostel- man was asked for his support for LB 974, Farm Bureau’s top state legislative priority, which would lower property taxes and reform K-12 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 1 NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU NEWS is published school funding. February/March 2020 ten times per year by Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, 5225 South 16th St., Lincoln, NE USPS 375-780 ISSN 0745-6522 68512. Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, NE, Official publication of and additional entry offices. Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation MISSION (402) 421-4400 To enrich the lives of Nebraska farm and ranch www.nefb.org families and enhance Nebraska agriculture through meaningful advocacy, education, POSTMASTER: and leadership development. Send address changes to: Nebraska Farm Bureau News VISION Attn: Tina Henderson To achieve a great quality of life and prosperity P.O. Box 80299, Lincoln, NE 68501 for Nebraska farm and ranch families. EDITORIAL STAFF NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION Editor/Advertising/Writer: Tina Henderson Steve Nelson, president (Axtell) [email protected] — or ext. 4446 Mark McHargue, first vice president (Central City) Rob Robertson, chief administrator Writer: Craig Head /secretary-treasurer (Lincoln) [email protected] — or ext. 4435 Writer: Cassie Hoebelheinrich BOARD OF DIRECTORS [email protected] — or ext. 4730 Bill Baldwin, second vice president (Mitchell) Dennis Beethe (Elk Creek) Writer: Erin Stieren Kevin Peterson (Osceola) HOLT COUNTY [email protected] — or ext. 4428 Martey Stewart (Dixon) David Grimes (Minden) Graphics Web/Layout: Oscar Diaz Members of Holt County Farm Bureau came to Lincoln Feb. 3 to attend [email protected] — or ext. 4448 Katie Olson (Atkinson) a County Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol. Members watched the leg- Dustin Ladenburger (Stratton) Want Ads & County Annual Meeting Notices: Hilary Maricle (Albion) islature in action, and were able to visit with their state senator and Kylee Planer Dave Nielsen (Lincoln) represent rural Nebraska. [email protected] — or ext. 4485 Lance Atwater (Ayr) NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU NEWS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 COUNTY NEWS 3 CLAY COUNTY Clay County Farm Bureau holds annual meeting lay County Farm Bureau held their annual meeting on Jan. 12 at the Sutton Community Senior Center in Sutton. Sen. Dave Murman talked Cabout the upcoming legislative session. Pictured from left is Sen. Dave Murman; Lyle Nunnenkamp, Clay County Farm Bureau Board member; Neal Cloet, Clay County Farm Bureau member; Jay Ferris, director of Grassroots; and David Grimes, NEFB state board member. MERRICK COUNTY Farm Bureau hosts Town Hall with Sen. Friesen errick County Farm Bureau, along with Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery and the Central City Area Chamber of Commerce, M sponsored a Town Hall with Sen. Curt Friesen of District 34. Sen. Friesen answered questions from constituents and give an update on the 2020 legislative session. SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY Harry and Marie Safford receive Pioneer Farm Award ongratulations to longtime Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau members Harry Safford Jr. and Marie Stafford Cof Bayard for receiving the Pioneer Farm Award from the AkSarBen Foundation along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers. The Pioneer Farm Award recognizes Nebraska farm families who have purchased his father’s cow herd. They raised their with a porch that his mother and father lived in is consecutively held ownership of their land for at least 100 years. four children on the farm. The farm has grown still standing, along with a 10-by-60 addition on Safford’s father, Harry Safford Sr., purchased 160 acres of farm to 480 acres, but the original 160 acres purchased the north side. The Saffords are proud to receive ground in Horseshoe Bend in Banner County in April of 1919. by Safford’s father are still in the family. Safford the Pioneer Farm Award. He and his wife, Bertha, raised four children, along with wheat, continues to maintain pasture and raise cattle Applications are now open.