The Farmers & Ranchers College was formed in January, 2000 with the purpose of providing high quality, dynamic, up to date educational workshops for area agricultural producers in south central Nebraska 
through a collaborative effort between business, industry and higher education leaders. Furthermore, the Farmers & Ranchers College will provide the tools necessary so that agricultural producers will be able to respond positively to these changes using a profitable decision making process.
The Farmers and Ranchers College is a unique opportunity to educate agricultural producers in south central Nebraska. Approximately three hundred producers from fourteen counties and three states participated in the 2013-2014 Farmers & Ranchers College programs. Producers attending these workshops managed over 184,000 acres. Participants (21%) surveyed indicated an average of $11.00/acre of knowledge gained from participating for a potential impact of $2 million.
The thirteenth annual Partners in Progress- Beef Seminar featured a variety of industry, University and agricultural organization presenters. Participants managed over 32,000 head of cattle and indicated that on average the information presented will increase their profitability $12.25/head with a total potential impact of over $500,000.
Contributions and support of area businesses allow participants to attend at no cost, however for programs that have meals, it is requested that people RSVP at least a week in advance for an accurate meal count by calling Fillmore County Extension at (402) 759-3712.
The Farmers and Ranchers College Committee consists of Fred Bruning of Bruning, Bryan Dohrman of Grafton, Sarah Miller of Carleton, Jennifer Engle of Fairmont, Ryne Norton of York, Jim Donovan of Geneva, Bryce Kassik of Geneva, Eric Kamler of Geneva, and Brandy VanDeWalle of Ohiowa.
2014 -2015 Farmers & Ranchers College Programming
- December 11, 2014 – “Ag Outlook” Featuring Dr. David Kohl Professor Emeritus, Dept. of AAEC, VA TECH at the Bruning Opera House – Bruning, NE at 1:00 p.m.
- January 27, 2015 – “Partners In Progress – Beef Seminar”* at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., registration at 9:30 a.m.
- February 4, 2015 – Ag: Trends, Topics & Tomorrow (High Content & Very Entertaining) with Damian Mason: “Agriculture’s Professional Funny Man”* at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva with meal starting at 6:00 p.m. and program to follow. Registration starting at 5:30 p.m.
Programs are provided at no cost to the public, but registration is appreciated for a meal count. Please call the Fillmore Co. Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 one week prior to the program.
Views from VanDeWalle 