16 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN November 2026 “After 2020, several local childcare providers closed, leaving very few options for families in our area,” Haley explains. “A group of six or seven moms came together because we were desperate for a solution. We realized that without childcare, we couldn’t recruit young professionals or keep families from leaving the community.” Along with a few others, Haley helped launch a $2 million capital campaign. “With my sales background, that part didn’t scare me – it was exciting to be part of creating a solution,” Haley says. “Today, our all-women board operates the childcare center full time, and we’ve created a space that has brought new life to Main Street. It’s pretty special to drive by and see kids playing outside right in the heart of our community.” She currently serves as vice president of the Ainsworth Child Development Center Board and helps oversee operations of the center, which employs nine staff and has been running full time for three years. Her other community involvements include supporting local 4-H programs and leading a weekly women’s Bible study at her church. Haley says women in agriculture bring the heart and soul to an industry that can sometimes appear rigid from the outside. She’s proud to have a role in their operation, bringing the kids along to work together, while also caring for their employees. “I’ve also found a lot of unexpected joy in supporting the people who work for us and their families,” Haley replies. “My role isn’t necessarily managing their day-to-day work, but I get to help create a workplace where young families can put down roots and grow. Whether that means helping with healthcare, housing or other needs, I really care about seeing our employees and their families succeed. That’s become a part of this operation that I didn’t expect, but it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about.” Grasslands, Cattle and Community Enthusiasm for cattle and the grasslands they are raised on has always been in Sheridan (Wilson) Brumback’s blood. Growing up on her family’s cow-calf operation, Two Bar Two Ranch Company near Arthur, this fifth-generation producer says her love for range management started with 4-H plant boards and range judging in FFA, leading her to study grassland systems under the grazing livestock systems option at UNL. She was also part of the Engler Entrepreneurship Program. Sheridan graduated last year and moved back home to begin her career with AgSpire. Based out of Brookings, S.D., AgSpire partners with farmers and ranchers to provide technical assistance and financial incentives for conservation and sustainability practices. Her role as a technical advisor for grazing systems allows her to work directly with producers on their grazing management plans for herd efficiency, while helping with financial incentives. Even though the company is in South Dakota, Sheridan is glad to be able to work remotely from the ranch while traveling some to the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest. “I’m very blessed to be back home, just getting started dipping my toes with the family operation while building my career,” Sheridan says. Being a producer herself, Sheridan uses her knowledge and expertise in range management to work directly to help other producers. “Most of my time is spent conducting ranch visits, developing grazing plans and putting together implementation plans for whatever changes or improvements producers want to try,” Sheridan explains. “A big part of my role is also simply being available – whether that’s answering questions, taking phone calls or helping producers work through the process.” While this is Sheridan’s first job out of college, she did have other experiences and internships that helped pave her path. She has worked with Nebraska Extension, the Natural Sheridan (Wilson) Brumback and her husband, Luke, live near Arthur where Sheridan is helping with the family operation while building her career with AgSpire. She has always been passionate about cattle and grasslands, so she enjoys helping with Nebraska Youth Range Camp and working with the Nebraska Grassland Alliance. ROOTS RUN DEEP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
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