ALEC in the News Archive

Local Leaders Gather for Transformative Leadership Chautauqua Event

Lindsay Hastings

Lincoln, Neb. —Rural Prosperity Nebraska successfully organized a groundbreaking Leadership Chautauqua in Kearney, bringing together approximately 120 community leaders from Nebraska and Iowa for a day of transformative discussions. The think-tank-style discussions aimed to reshape community leadership development (CLD) in Nebraska, focusing on innovative strategies and collaborative approaches.

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The latest Rural Poll: Rural Nebraskans feel the country is more divided

Photo by Grant Gerlock, Nebraska Public Media News/Harvest Public Media

About two-thirds of Rural Nebraskans’ think a lack of civil discourse is a somewhat serious (33%) or very serious (32%) problem in America. That’s according to the latest results of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rural Poll.

UNL professor, L.J. McElravy, says this feeling of missing constructive forums reflects interparty and intraparty conflict in the state capitol and in Washington D.C..

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Poll: Rural Nebraskans see lack of civility in politics as serious problem

Rural Poll News

Most rural Nebraskans see the lack of civil discourse in the political system as at least a somewhat serious problem, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll. About one-third of rural Nebraskans surveyed rate this lack of respectful discourse as either a very serious (32%) or somewhat serious problem (33%). Only 5% say it is not a serious problem.

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Chautauqua aims to revolutionize rural leadership development

Lindsay Hastings in classroom

Rural Prosperity Nebraska is leading the charge on revolutionizing leadership development for Nebraska’s rural communities by hosting a leadership Chautauqua on Nov. 8 in Kearney, which kicks off a multi-step revisioning of traditional leadership development programs.

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Attend the ALEC Dissertation Final Oral Examination for Matt Kreifels

Matt Kreifels

The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication

Presents

Matt Kreifels

ALEC Dissertation Final Oral Examination

Monday, November 13, 2023

3:00 PM

Zoom: unl.zoom.us/my/neaged

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Strategic investments facilitating UNL-Chadron State partnership

Sydney Linse

A new joint agreement between Chadron State and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication is maximizing the educational opportunities for students at Chadron State College aiming to become ag educators.

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The Ag Ed Roadshow is a truly project-based experience for our ALEC 135

Ag Education students in front of school

The Ag Ed Roadshow is a truly project-based experience for our ALEC 135: Introduction to Agricultural Education course students.

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Upbringing sparks passion for education in Tercero

Isela Tercero, agricultural education and applied science double major, is from Broken Bow, Nebraska.

Editor’s Note — This is part of a weekly student conversation series highlighted as part of Hispanic Heritage Month on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Medium page. The series will feature students who are making impacts on campus and beyond.

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Faculty, team excellence recognized during 2023 IANR Distinguished Faculty Celebration

Group photo

Recipients of the 2023 IANR faculty awards, along with all IANR faculty members who hold endowed chairs or professorships, were celebrated on Sept. 21 at the annual IANR Distinguished Faculty Celebration.

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Join us for ALEC 805: Advanced Teaching Strategies (in person or online)!

Graduate students studying

Join us for ALEC 805: Advanced Teaching Strategies (in person or online)!

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ALEC hosts wide-ranging CASE food science training for Nebraska ag teachers

Agricultural teachers participating in the CASE Food Science and Safety event in Wayne are challenged to vary the key ingredients in a cookie recipe, then see how the changes affect taste, flavor, texture and aroma. (Monty Larsen | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department)

In Nebraska, the training sessions since 2011 “have allowed nearly 200 classroom teachers to gain hands-on experience in utilizing the CASE curriculum,” said Monty Larsen, an ALEC faculty lecturer who provides outreach support for Nebraska agricultural and skilled technical science educators.

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Dr. Nathan Conner, ALEC Faculty, earns faculty Fulbright to teach, develop curriculum in Jamaica

Dr. Nathan Conner

Nathan Conner, associate professor in agricultural leadership, education and communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has been selected for a Fulbright Fellowship.

Conner will be teaching and conducting research at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, from August through June 2024.

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Q&A with Brytany Gama, former UNL MANRRS Chapter President and ALEC Alumni

Brytany Gama

Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Brytany Gama is a senior Agricultural Education-Leadership major. During her time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she helped establish the UNL Chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) to create a space that promotes diversity and inclusion for underrepresented students on campus. She has also served as a National Ambassador for MANRRS.

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Dr. Mary Emery is leading the way for The Heartland Regional Food Business Center

Dr. Mary Emery and USDA Grant partners

Led by Mary Emery, Rural Prosperity Nebraska will work with 33 partners to create a resource hub for regional food systems that serves residents of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The center is one of 12 that the USDA is establishing across the country with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Nebraska Today | May 25, 2023

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Nebraska-led center aimed at strengthening food supply chain featured on RFD-TV

Dr. Mary Emery

Mary Emery, director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska, recently talked with RFD-TV about a University of Nebraska–Lincoln led program that will establish 12 Regional Food Business Centers to help strengthen local food supply chains.  Nebraska Today | May 17, 2023

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Rural Prosperity Nebraska receives $25M USDA award for Regional Food Center

An employee of Pekarek’s Produce, from Dwight, Nebraska, sets up a table to sell produce at the Haymarket Farmers Market in Lincoln.

Mary Emery, executive director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska, said the award would help paint a clear picture of the farmers, distributors and other major players in the region’s local food system.

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ALEC student, Brytany Gama Romo, is honored with the Student Luminary Award!

People at the Student Luminary Awards

Brytany Gama Romo, a senior agricultural education leadership (ALEC) major from Omaha, was honored as a Student Luminary for her resiliency and leadership as a New Student Enrollment Orientation Leader Spanish Language Specialist and National Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) ambassador.

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Students talk about food insecurity at the Western Nebraska Youth Institute competition

Students at the Western Nebraska Youth Institute

Students that compete in the Western Nebraska Youth Institute competition research about living conditions and food insecurity in different countries. The students submit their solutions to food insecurity in the different countries and present those solutions to a panel of food insecurity global experts.

Renee Donner, ALEC Recruiter, talks about the competition and it's impact.

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ALEC Ag Education and STS Preservice Teachers utilize backpacks in early field experience

ALEC Preservice Teachers

ALEC Agricultural Education and Skilled and Technical Science preservice teachers and faculty show off their new ALEC backpacks!  Each backpack is customized with their “teacher names” (Ms. or Mr.

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