(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman has declared March 4-10 Nebraska Agriculture Week. Nebraska Agriculture Week coincides with National Agriculture Week.
“Nebraska Agriculture Week offers a time to acknowledge our appreciation for the hard working farmers and ranchers in our state,” said Gov. Heineman. “Agriculture plays an essential role in our daily lives. Nebraskans greatly appreciate our farmers and ranchers, and I encourage all to recognize the significance the agricultural industry plays in our state.”
To celebrate, Gov. Heineman will be joined by representatives of Nebraska Farm Bureau and Greg Ibach, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture for an agriculture tour on Friday, March 16. The tour stops are open to the public and will start at 9 a.m. CT in Ainsworth at Ainsworth High School. At 10 a.m. MT there will an event in Alliance at the Performing Arts Center. The final event will be 1:30 p.m. CT in Grand Island at Northwest High School.
“In Nebraska, our farmers and ranchers provide us with a safe and wholesome food supply each and every day. Their commitment to their animals and the land is greatly appreciated,” said Dir. Ibach. “I encourage everyone to learn more about how Nebraska producers are feeding the world, and take the time to say thank you.”
Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said, “We very much appreciate the Governor taking the time to celebrate and recognize agriculture week. Although we work in agriculture every day of the year, we enjoy this week long celebration as it gives us an opportunity to recognize agriculture and the important role it plays in our lives and in the Nebraska economy.”
Nebraska’s largest industry is agriculture. Each year, cash receipts from farm marketing contribute over $17 billion dollars to Nebraska’s economy. Nebraska is first in the nation for red meat, Great Northern bean and popcorn production. Nebraska consistently ranks in the nation’s top five producers of corn, soybeans, hay, and dry edible beans, and top 10 for production of hogs, grain sorghum, winter wheat and table egg layers. Additionally, Nebraska consistently ranks in the top four states in the nation in agricultural exports.
According to Nebraska Farm Bureau, one of every three jobs in Nebraska exists because of Nebraska agriculture – in farming and ranching, food and fuel processing, marketing, distribution, research, and regulation.
As part of Nebraska’s celebration of National Ag Week, Governor Dave Heineman and Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced the winners of the 2012 NDA poster contest.
In its ninth year, the contest generated 1,400 entries from first through sixth grade students from across Nebraska. This year’s theme was: “Nebraska Agriculture: Feeding My Family.”
The winners are:
1st - 2nd grade
1st Place – Johnny Kaczmarek a second grader from Holy Ghost Catholic School in Omaha
2nd Place – Matt Cover a first grader from Weeping Water Public Schools in Weeping Water
3rd Place – Alexis Mogensen a first grader from Weeping Water Public Schools in Weeping Water
Governor’s Choice Award – Tally Madej a first grader from Holy Ghost Catholic School in Omaha
3rd - 4th grade
1st Place – Ethan Dunn a fourth grader from Rohwer Elementary in Omaha
2nd Place – Jocelyn Lambert a third grader from Calvert Elementary in Auburn
3rd Place – Sofia Atkins a third grader from McDaid Elementary in North Platte
Governor’s Choice Award – Shalyn Harris a third grader from Calvert Elementary in Auburn
5th - 6th grade
1st Place – Dustin Hovanec a fifth grader from Arbor Park in Blair
2nd Place – Malec Quandt a fifth grader from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
3rd Place – Juan Torres a fifth grader from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
Governor’s Choice Award – Jake Meister a fifth grader from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
The winning posters can be viewed at the NDA web site at http://www.agr.ne.gov/.
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