LINCOLN, NEB. – Entrepreneurial spirits are thriving in young agriculturalist across Nebraska. Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to celebrate the 2025 Student Project Grant recipients as they grow their projects and continue to impact Nebraska agriculture!
Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants, supported by the Charles Marshall Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, were awarded to nine deserving student Farm Bureau members from across the state. 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.
“Our student members embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, and we are so proud of their commitment to their projects,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement. “Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to support these students and we hope these funds will be able to help them reach their goals. We look forward to seeing Nebraska Farm Bureau students continue to bring new ideas and opportunities to their communities for many years to come.”
The grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year, including those 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 Nebraska Farm Bureau committee.
Grant recipients are as follows:
- Kyan Sones is a Jefferson County Farm Bureau member with a plan to improve his growing cow-calf operation by purchasing a high-quality mineral that aims to promote conception rates. Sones has 56 cows in his herd and is excited to see how using this project helps him maximize efficiency and produce higher-quality replacement females. He was awarded $250.
- Landon Pesek of Saline County Farm Bureau was awarded $250 toward the purchase of a Hereford breeding heifer. Pesek is excited to start his own cow herd and continue his family’s tradition of raising Hereford cattle!
- Rylie Doerr is a Knox County Farm Bureau member and received $500 to start her project. Doerr plans to grow produce to sell at her local farmer’s market. With these funds, she is eager to gather the supplies she needs to successfully start her business and put her green thumb to work!
- Tregan Fitzke is a member of Dodge County Farm Bureau. As he manages a produce greenhouse alongside his parents, Fitzke is excited to upgrade the technologies in his greenhouse with automatic vents to ensure his plants are well managed without having to remove Styrofoam from the vents each day. He sells produce at farmer’s markets and wholesales pumpkins to vendors in the community. Fitzke was awarded $250.
- Amanda Fehringer, a Cheyenne County Farm Bureau member, received $250 toward her market beef project. For the last six years, Fehringer has actively showed market beef, sheep, goats, and her dog! She is excited to use these funds to purchase more equipment so she can improve her livestock exhibition.
- Colby Smith is a member of Jefferson County Farm Bureau and has a wood art business. As his hand carved wood creation business has outgrown his current process, Smith is looking to expand by purchasing a CNC router table. Doing this will allow him to boost production and offer customers a more affordable product. He received $1000.
- Emma Dux is a Jefferson County Farm Bureau member was awarded $250. Dux actively shows pigs across the country and will be using these funds to offset some of the costs incurred during the project. She is excited to expand her project this year by adding another hog to her show string.
- Hailey Dam, an Arthur County Farm Bureau member, received $750 toward the expansion of her show rabbit project. For nearly three years, Dam has successfully showed and bred rabbits. She hopes to expand her operation to be able to sell show quality rabbits to other youth exhibitors.
- Hailey Miller is a member of Clay County Farm Bureau who runs H & H Homegrown Pumpkins. After expanding her pumpkin plot, she quickly realized her water system was insufficient. Miller plans to use her grant money to expand her water system and continue to sell pumpkins in the community. She was awarded $500.
- Kalter Beckstrom a Burt County Farm Bureau member received $250.Beckstrom is excited to start growing alfalfa! Using these funds, he will be able to offset some of the initial investment as he begins to pursue a life of farming!
To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.
