Nebraska Farm Bureau Members Set Policy on Key Issues and Elect Leadersat Annual Meeting and Convention

Bree DeMontigny, a Cherry County Farm Bureau member, was re-elected to serve as the North Central Region representative.

Nebraska Farm Bureau -

Delegates representing farm and ranch families from all 93

Nebraska counties outlined key agricultural policy priorities and elected

leaders for Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) as part of the organization’s 108th

Annual Meeting and Convention held Dec. 7-9 in Kearney. Delegates discussed a

broad spectrum of agricultural policy issues to provide direction for the

organization.

At the heart of their discussion were the challenges and opportunities facing

farm and ranch families. From taxes and water to data and regulations, members

expressed their shared commitment to preserve and protect what makes Nebraska

farming and ranching strong.

“It’s no secret that Nebraskan’s pay some of the highest property taxes in the

nation. As an organization, we’re committed to finding ways to lessen that

burden. Delegates discussed ideas to better control property taxes, including

issues around transparency in taxation as it relates to local tax collection

and local bonds, to ensure the public is better informed” said Katie Olson,

NEFB First Vice President.

Delegates adopted policy to support economic development by placing greater

emphasis on supporting sparsely populated villages, towns, and counties,

focusing on workforce housing and childcare.

As farming and ranching modernize, operations are producing more digital data.

Members addressed a growing concern about how that information is used, who

owns it, and what’s being done to keep it protected. Delegates adopted policy

to ensure farmers and ranchers retain all rights to their data, while also

calling for standards of care and protection of data by third parties with

access to the information.

Water is critical to agriculture, and effective water management is just as

important. Nebraska continues to examine water quality, quantity, and the

infrastructure behind it.

“Delegates discussed the best path forward to safeguard irrigation, support

sustainable water use, and preserve natural resources. Farmers and ranchers

understand how important it is to be proactive in addressing natural resources

challenges in our state, but any initiative needs to be backed by sound

science and should work for farm and ranch families,” said Olson.

Another top issue discussed at the meeting was regulations related to the

Nebraska Livestock Brand Act. Last year, the Legislature engaged in

discussions about changes to Nebraska’s brand laws. That topic will be back on

the table this session.

“Members had a long and heathy discussion about the Brand Act, discussing

ideas that could bring clarity or modernization while balancing tradition and

protection of livestock operations. Delegates ultimately voted to stand on our

current policy, which supports the work of the Brand Committee,” said Olson.

Delegates turned a spotlight on the Make America Health Again (MAHA) movement

by advancing policy which will be discussed at the national level during the

American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in January. From food labeling

to school food programs to agriculture practices, the MAHA movement has raised

several policy questions that matter to agriculture and rural Nebraska.

“In a time when urban and rural interests sometimes feel at odds, delegates

emphasized the need for policies grounded in fairness, transparency, and

respect for agriculture’s role in feeding the nation. Their effective

leadership is essential for advancing agriculture and ensuring the overall

prosperity of our state and our nation,” said Olson.

In addition to setting state and making national policy recommendations,

delegates also held elections for positions on the Nebraska Farm Bureau board

of directors.

Lance Atwater, an Adams/Webster County Farm Bureau member, was elected to

serve as the South-Central Region representative. Atwater and his wife,

Krystal, have a row crop farm near Ayr.

Bree DeMontigny, a Cherry County Farm Bureau member, was re-elected to serve

as the North Central Region representative. DeMontigny has a commercial

cow/calf ranch near Valentine.

Steve Stroup, a Dundy County Farm Bureau member, was re-elected to serve as

the Southwest Region representative. Stroup and his wife Julie have a cow/calf

operation along with a feed lot and grow irrigated corn and hay near

Benkelman.

Dawn Kucera, a Madison County Farm Bureau member, was re-elected to serve as

the Ag Promotion At-Large representative. Kucera and her husband, Regan, have

a row crop farm, growing corn and soybeans near Madison.

Matthew Erickson, a Johnson County Farm Bureau member, was newly elected to

serve as the Youth At-Large representative. Erickson and his wife, Riley, have

a row crop farm and they custom farm. They also raise chickens for Smart

Chicken near Sterling.