10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2025 LAURA FIELD | NC EVP RUMINATIONS 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 Phone (402) 475-2333 | Fax (402) 475-0822 nc@necattlemen.org | www.nebraskacattlemen.org NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN STAFF EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | Laura Field lfield@necattlemen.org VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING | Jeff Stolle DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | John Roberts DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Libby Schaneman DIRECTOR OF PRODUCER EDUCATION | Bonita Lederer DIRECTOR OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Matthew Melchor ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER | Kathy Abel OFFICE MANAGER | Ashley McClinton MEMBERSHIP FIELD STAFF | Hannah Pearson Nebraska Cattleman is published monthly, except for May and July, by the Nebraska Cattlemen, 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 – (402) 475-2333. --------------------------------------------------------------------- MAGAZINE PRODUCTION: CINCHED UP LLC ncmag@necattlemen.org EDITOR | Lisa Bard MANAGING EDITOR | Jessie Topp-Becker COPY EDITOR | Larisa Willrett DESIGNER & MATERIALS COORDINATOR | Megan Field ADMINISTRATION | Leslie McKibben CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bill Coe | Natalie Jones STATE & REGIONAL ADVERTISING Amber Coleman | (402) 340-1588 acoleman@necattlemen.org NATIONAL ADVERTISING Wendy McFarland | (334) 271-6100 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Working for Nebraska Beef Producers PASTURE TO PLATE TO PLATE NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN VIEW NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN DIGITAL VERSION BY SCANNING THE QR CODE. WHAT’S YOUR CREED? LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT “I believe in the future of agriculture. With a faith born not of words, but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturalists …” This is the opening line of the FFA Creed written by E.M Tiffany in 1928 and adopted by the third national FFA Convention in 1930. I first learned the FFA Creed as a freshman member of the Wharton (Texas) FFA chapter in the late 1980s, and I can still remember most of the words. Our seventh-grade twins joined the Raymond Central FFA Chapter this year, and they had the chance to attend their first State FFA Convention. As the school year ended, we had the pleasure of attending the chapter FFA banquet. From the opening ceremony by the chapter officers to the long list of awards presented to some incredible members of the chapter, it reminded me of the many doors FFA opened for me, and I’ve spent time this year thinking about what I learned and what I want them to learn from this experience. A creed is a foundational component of an organization. It serves to establish vision and goals with the intent of providing direction to both individuals and the organization. The five paragraphs of the FFA Creed have been memorized and recited by thousands and thousands of young members as they learn the benefits and rich heritage of agriculture and their roles in the future. It references the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and the need for charity and cooperation in producing and marketing a product and playing square with others. It’s remarkable to think that these words from 1928 have only been changed twice and still ring so true almost 100 years later. According to the National FFA Association, Mr. Tiffany was asked to send a message to the national convention delegates in 1932. He wrote, “The Future Farmers of America are required to memorize something we call a creed. Ever since thinking, hopeful men have inhabited the earth, they have been gibbering creeds. If any good has come from it, the virtue is not in the creed, nor in the gibbering, but in the nobility of mind, which prompts men to ponder over their ideals.” The final comment of his statement to the convention was clear. He stated, “If the creed is an expression of faith worthy of so vigorous an organization, it must be more than a part of a prescribed ceremony; it must be an active force of thought working its way anew through the minds of everyone who makes its words their own.” And the final words of the FFA Creed wrap up the sentiment clearly: “I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.” The future of agriculture is our youth. Through hands-on learning, education and adopting creeds to live by, the future is bright! ~NC~
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