8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 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 – 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: Stephen 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 A STORY WORTH TELLING ERIC HANSEN | NORTH PLATTE | NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Most producers reading this magazine don’t take time to think about conserving Nebraska’s natural resources. That’s because conservation is naturally a big part of our thought process every day. “Leave it better than you found it” is always a top priority. The story of natural resource conservation in Nebraska is one we should be proud to tell. There are some well-funded groups out there telling their version of our story, and we don’t like the way their story goes. I was recently reminded of this when my daughter, Emily, a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, came home for Christmas break and told me her biology professor encouraged the entire lecture hall full of students to embrace veganism because agriculture is ruining the environment. In a state made up of predominantly privately owned land, partnerships have been formed to accomplish the goals of diverse entities through practices that are beneficial to everyone involved. The Sandhills Task Force is a non-profit organization made up of mostly ranchers as well as representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Nebraska Game and Parks, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Nebraska Cattlemen, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and others sharing expertise and financial resources. With a focus in the Sandhills, they have raised more than $10.4 million in grant funds to cost share on grazing projects, eastern red cedar removal, stream and lake restoration and conservation easements over the past 30 years. These projects help soil, water and air quality, which is beneficial for cattle, wildlife and every citizen of Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) has been a Sandhills Task Force funding partner since near the beginning of both organizations. The NET is another great example of Nebraskans recognizing the importance of conserving our natural resources. Since its creation in 1992, the NET, funded through Nebraska Lottery proceeds, has awarded more than $375 million in grants covering all 93 counties to “conserve, enhance and restore the natural environments of Nebraska.” These are just two examples of how Nebraskans have decided to make conservation a top priority. Nebraskans have been known to be fiercely independent, which makes these partnerships and accomplishments even more impressive. I’ve been involved with the Sandhills Task Force for about 20 years and the NET for about two months, but both have been a big part of my personal conservation journey. It’s not about the organizations, it’s all about the people. It’s the discussions and the sharing of ideas, experiences and information. It’s the inspiration and the courage for change. These organizations are where great ideas and funding come together to make a significant impact on natural resource conservation. Be proud to tell your conservation story to whomever needs to hear it. By the way, a few years ago when I was a college student, I also had a professor who was convinced agriculture was going to ruin the environment. ~NC~ It’s not about the organizations, it’s all about the people.
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