Nebraska Farm Bureau Awards Student Project Grants to 4-H and FFA students in Antelope, Lancaster, Saunders, Hall, Fillmore, Saline, and Merrick Counties

LINCOLN, NEB. – From horticulture and dog breeding to show pigs and chickens, the passion of the winners of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants shine through in each of their projects.

Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants, supported by the Charles Marshall Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, were awarded to eight deserving student Farm Bureau members in Antelope, Lancaster, Saunders, Hall, Fillmore, Saline, and Merrick counties. Nebraska Farm Bureau awards $4,000 in grants for students to begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project. The grants are in the amounts of $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 until funds are exhausted.

“We are proud of the entrepreneurial spirit our student members embrace and are very impressed by the dedication they have shown with their projects,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement. “Nebraska Farm Bureau is thrilled to support these students and hopes these funds will help them achieve their goals. We look forward to watching them continue to bring innovative ideas and ventures into their communities for years to come.”

The grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. This year the grants were opened up to students under the age of 15. Those applicants’ parent(s) must be Farm Bureau members. Applicants who are age 16 or older must be student Farm Bureau members. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards starting or growing their 4-H or SAE projects. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.

Grant recipients are as follows:

• Hailey Johnson is an Antelope County Farm Bureau member and received $750 for her project. She raises hens for egg production and plans on using the grant money to rebuild her chicken coop on a more stable foundation, using newer materials to build a 20 by 20 chicken coop to raise 60 chickens, and further her high-quality egg business for her family and the local Neligh community.

• Austin Kamm is a Lancaster County Farm Bureau member and received $500 for his greenhouse project. Kamm manages the Bato Box hydroponic system at his high school in Lincoln. He plans on using this award to build a small greenhouse to expand his horticultural business and experiment with different growing methods like hydroponic and aquaponic systems. He plans to pursue his interest in greenhouse management at Southeast Community College.

• Morgan Kliment isa member of Saunders County Farm Bureau and received $500 for her livestock project. Kliment owns Red Angus heifers and market show pigs. She plans to use the grant money to feed and grow the cattle and enter shows. On the show pig side, she will use part of the award to help pay for feed, wood chips, enter shows, and skin care products.

• Zach Korbelik is a member of Fillmore County Farm Bureau and was awarded $750 to expand his cattle operation. Currently, Korbelik is responsible for managing 65 head of cattle, which includes building and putting up fences around corn fields they graze, checking and counting them, supplying them with water every day, and bale feeding them during times of heavy snow. He is working toward increasing his herd to 200 head. He plans on using the award to purchase more fencing supplies and watering equipment. 

• Zach Mader is a Hall County Farm Bureau member and received $250 for his project. He owns and operates CTZ Lawn Care. He and two other FFA members not only mow lawns but do landscaping projects for more than 30 customers. Mader plans on using this award to purchase a large riding lawn mower to help with large yards. He is currently using small push mowers, and the purchase of a large riding mower will help expand his business, grow his customer base, and expand his knowledge of the plant and lawn care industry.    

• McKenzie Van DeWalle is a Fillmore County Farm Bureau member and received $250 for her baking business. Van DeWalle has a small business selling baked goods called Teal Cat Bakery. With this grant, she plans on purchasing more baking equipment to increase her baking production, her capacity to sell more products, and earn more money.

• Gracie Vyhnalek is a Saline County Farm Bureau member and received $500 to breed and raise Australian Shepard puppies. With this grant, Vyhnalek plans to purchase a female dog to breed and show. There are numerous cattle operations in Saline County that use working dogs for herding, and this grant can help place a viable breeder in the area.

• Levi Webb is a Merrick County Farm Bureau member and received $500 to expand his show pig business. He has two breeding gilts and two sows and showed them at the Merrick County Fair and a few progress shows. Webb will use the award to expand his hog operation to eight sows with the hopes of selling show pigs to other youth in the area. 

Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants (or their parents) must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau membership. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.