November 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 13 Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association and the Engler Federation – the alumni arm of the Engler Entrepreneurship Program. Through her volunteer roles and life on a family operation, she encourages others to look at entrepreneurial ideas while also keeping their operation profitable and sharing agriculture’s story. “A lot of people will relate to being involved in a family operation and trying to look at it through a new lens of entrepreneurial ideas to apply to an already established business or operation,” Rebel says. “Those are things that my husband and I talk about often. We’re not in the driver’s seat of our operation yet, but it sure is fun to throw things at the wall and see what sticks.” In talking specifically about women in agriculture and what role they play in helping tell agriculture’s story, Rebel shares from her own experience that women are natural storytellers. “Women are the glue – at least in my view – that holds communities and families together,” she says. “So, I think it’s only natural that we kind of assume the role of communicating what we do on our operations every day to the public, and I think where that comes in is just being able to have really honest, candid conversations with people.” Rebel was able to encounter these experiences in her role as Miss Rodeo Nebraska and now as a volunteer. “Traveling as Miss Rodeo Nebraska was really interesting; there is such a direct line from our ranching roots to the rodeo arena, so it was really easy to tie to that,” Rebel conveys. “But now, as a volunteer with the organization, it’s really gratifying to see so many young women excited about and promoting rodeo while also being able to make the connection to agriculture and what our values are. The cherry on top is having a front-row seat in watching these young women progress through their education and careers.” Invested in Ag and Community Ainsworth is home to Haley Miles and her husband, Mark, where they are part of the fifth generation working on the family operation, Miles Feedlot. Raised on a diversified farm and ranch, Haley was active in FFA before attending UNL, where she studied agricultural economics and was part of the second class to participate in the Engler Entrepreneurship Program. “The Engler program was a really foundational experience for not just college, but really how I approach a lot of things in life now,” Haley recalls. “It was an instrumental program that still pays dividends from the networking and lens of view on life I have now.” After graduation, she went to work for an agricultural chemical company in a sales role, followed by a job with an ag tech startup, gaining experiences in both corporate settings. She had the opportunity to return home to Ainsworth to work remotely shortly after she married Mark. Returning to her local rural community sparked a deeper passion for not only the place she calls home, but also for the people, connections and way of life that make rural communities special. “I’ve always been really passionate about promoting the rural lifestyle and everything about what living in rural communities can offer – not just for families – but for young professionals, too,” Haley says. Much of her passion and involvement in community started when she interned for the local economic development office during school. She began to understand the backbone and behind the scenes of her community, helping rural communities grow and thrive. Her love for community and entrepreneurial spirit grew as she and Mark became more involved in the family operation. The couple ventured out on their own, building a cow herd through local pasture leases and expanding their yearling operation. Along the way, Haley found a creative outlet in photography, building a wedding photography business over nearly 10 years. Since welcoming her fourth child, she has scaled back her business, but photography remains an important part of her professional journey. Haley’s role in the community grew even larger when she had an opportunity to help bring a childcare center to Ainsworth. Haley Miles and her husband, Mark, are raising their four children on the family operation in Ainsworth. Haley is very passionate and involved in her community; she even helped bring a childcare center to Ainsworth. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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