8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2024 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Dick Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 VICE PRESIDENT: Craig Uden*, (308) 325-0285 TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 475-2333 SECRETARY: Melody Benjamin, Lakeside, (308) 760-6464 PAST PRESIDENT: Steve Hanson*, Elsie, (308) 289-0225 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 2 – Kat Kennedy, Purdum, (308) 645-7036 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – John Ecklund, Atkinson, (408) 602-5905 5 – Scott Reynolds, Berwyn, (308) 870-0970 6 – Chuck Graff, Ogallala, (308) 289-5841 7 – Heath Clausen, Leigh, (402) 750-4433 8 – Allen Bruntz, Friend, (402) 525-2651 9 – Shannon Peterson, Gothenburg, (308) 529-2116 COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 VICE CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Marc Hanson, Morrowville, Kan., (402) 729-7174 VICE CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Ryan Danehey, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 VICE CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: Reiss Bruning, Bruning, (402) 768-3332 VICE CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Jake Pullen, Aurora, (308) 380-9040 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jared Walahoski*, Overton, (308) 746-1965 CHAIR-ELECT: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Brock Terrell, Hay Springs, (308) 430-1213 CHAIR-ELECT: Matt Blackford, Brownlee, (402) 322-1377 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Marcus Urban, Leigh, (402) 276-3830 CHAIR-ELECT: Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Joe Eisenmenger, Humphrey, (402) 920-0665 CHAIR-ELECT: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Eric Hansen*, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 CHAIR-ELECT: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 TAXATION CHAIR: Scott Peterson, Valentine, (402) 322-0225 CHAIR-ELECT: Steve Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 MEMBER SERVICES CHAIR: Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 NEBRASKA LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION REP. Bryce Dibbern, Interior, S.D., (308) 293-7766 UNL EXTENSION REPRESENATIVE Erin Laborie, Beaver City, (419) 494-3872 UNL REPRESENTATIVE Deb VanOverbeke, Lincoln, (402) 714-5879 * member of the Executive & Finance Committee INSIGHTS INVOLVEMENT AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL CHAYLEE TONNIGES | YOUNG NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN-LINCOLN BOARD MEMBER Young Nebraska Cattlemen-Lincoln (YNC) is a collegiate affiliate of the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) and exists to provide opportunities to our members and shape future leaders of the beef industry. Students from 18-24 years of age gain hands-on experience, leadership development and communication skills through membership in YNC. The organization is made up of nine board members: five officers and four at-large directors. We have expanded our membership by inviting students from other Nebraska colleges like Northeast Community College and Concordia University to be involved. Nebraska Cattlemen has allowed YNC to utilize their resources, including having meetings at the NC office and tapping into the vast policy experience of Laura Field, NC executive vice president. We are extremely grateful for NC’s support. During monthly meetings, we invite speakers to come and give insight into their business or organization. In January, Merck Animal Health hosted us at their new manufacturing site in Elkhorn and took us through the process of how vaccines are produced. Mitch Rippe from the Nebraska Beef Council educated us on the council’s purpose and the programs they utilize to promote, educate and research beef at our April meeting. Involvement in a grassroots organization is how the next generation can voice their opinion and shape the future of the industry. These organizations foster social change and community development, being deeply rooted in knowledge that tailors initiatives to effectively address specific issues. YNC highlights the importance of voicing concerns to the board to solve problems and be the changemakers of tomorrow. To accomplish goals and solve issues, we consulted with NC to build our bylaws and run our meetings utilizing parliamentary procedure. We hold monthly meetings where we address old and new business and open the floor to questions and concerns from our members. I am using my experiences from YNC to pursue a career in the beef industry. Alternatively, I represented the state as a Nebraska Beef Ambassador. That role led to an opportunity to intern with NC assisting with planning their Annual Convention and Trade show. As an intern, I was treated as an equal and utilized my skills to execute daily duties, while also being tasked to plan the student career fair at the annual convention. My engagement with YNC, as well as growing up in the industry as many of our members did, is one reason I feel so passionately about this organization. My generation takes advocating for the industry personally. YNC is a great organization to be involved with and we welcome all young people with curiosity and passion for the beef industry! ~NC~ Membership in Nebraska Cattlemen or any of its numerous affiliates is a great way to get involved in the cattle industry and affect change. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining Nebraska Cattlemen using the membership application on page 12.
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