Members of Nebraska LEAD Program’s Class 43 recently embarked on a 10-day National Study/Travel Seminar, gaining firsthand exposure to national and regional agricultural systems, policymaking and advocacy. One of those LEAD class members is Lucy Kimball of Callaway. The seminar, held Feb. 5-14, took Fellows to Kansas City, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Moline, Illinois, for a series of immersive experiences. “This seminar broadens the perspectives of Nebraska’s agricultural leaders by exposing them to key institutions, industry leaders and policymakers,” said Nebraska LEAD Program Director Kurtis Harms. “By seeing and engaging with agriculture beyond our state, Fellows gain knowledge that helps them advocate for the industry in new and meaningful ways.”

The itinerary featured a visit to MyCo Planet, an urban mushroom farm in Chicago, and discussions with the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 7 Director. The Fellows also engaged with policymakers in Washington, D.C., including meetings with Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, as well as representatives from the embassies of Canada and Spain.

A guided visit to the historic site of the Battle of Gettysburg provided valuable insights into leadership under pressure, while stops at the American Farm Bureau Federation and the U.S. Capitol deepened their understanding of national agricultural policy. The seminar concluded with a visit to the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and a tour of John Deere in Moline, showcasing advancements in education and agricultural machinery.

“This opportunity has been incredible. My biggest takeaway from the National Seminar has been just how important it is for us to tell our story and the story of agriculture,” said Kimball. “More and more people are being further removed from the agriculture industry, and if we don’t tell our story, someone else will, and we probably won’t like how it is being told. We are pretty lucky in Nebraska that our Senators realize how important agriculture is and are advocates for ag, but not all states are that way. As an industry, we have to keep advocating for ourselves and holding our elected officials accountable.”

For more than four decades, the Nebraska LEAD Program has been committed to cultivating knowledgeable and engaged leaders in agriculture. Through hands-on learning and exposure to key decision-makers, Fellows graduate from the program equipped to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. Learn more about the Nebraska LEAD Program at lead.unl.edu.