LINCOLN, Neb. — A new class of agricultural leaders is stepping forward in Nebraska after completing a two-year development program designed to strengthen leadership across the state’s rural communities and agricultural industry.
The Nebraska LEAD Program honored the 30 Fellows of Class 43 during the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council’s Annual Recognition Banquet on Friday, March 13, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Hosted in partnership with UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the banquet marked the completion of the two-year leadership development program and recognized supporters of the program.
During the evening, Class 43 Fellows shared insights from their experiences and highlighted key takeaways from their two-year journey. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel offered congratulatory remarks in a prerecorded video shown during the event. Nebraska LEAD Class 14 also was recognized as 2026 marks 30 years since that cohort graduated from the program…