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 four hundred producers participated in the 2015-16 Farmers & Ranchers College programs. Producers attending these workshops managed over 215,000 acres. Participants surveyed indicated an average of $15.00/acre of knowledge gained from participating for a potential impact of $3 million.
The fifteenth annual Partners in Progress- Beef Seminar featured a variety of industry, University and agricultural organization presenters. Participants managed over 10,000 head of cattle and indicated that on average the information presented will increase their profitability $17.80/head with a total potential impact of over $180,000.
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.
2016-17 Program Schedule:
December 14, 2016 – “Agriculture at the Crossroads” w/ Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of AAEC, VA TECH at the Opera House in Bruning, NE from 1-4:00 pm
January 31, 2017** – “Partners In Progress Beef Seminar” Cow/Calf College at U.S. MARC near Clay Center, NE from 10-3:30 a.m., Registration at 9:30
February 22, 2017** – Managing for Difficult Times (Cutting costs without cutting yields) at Fillmore Co. Fairgrounds- Geneva, NE from 9:30 – 3:00 p.m.,Registration at 9 a.m.
February 27, 2017** – Tips & Tricks for the Women of Agriculture at Lazy Horse Winery near Ohiowa, NE with registration at 5:45 and program starting at 6:00 p.m.
** Programs are free; however registration is appreciated for a meal count. Please call the Fillmore Co. Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 one-week prior to the program to reserve your spot.
Views from VanDeWalle 