Nebraska's Ag Promotion

Livestock promotion efforts are working in Nebraska
Friday, February 13, 2009, 3:22 PM
by Ken Anderson

Efforts to better educate politicians and the general public, about the importance of the livestock industry in Nebraska, are having an impact. So says Roger Berry, field director for A-FAN, the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska.

“Agriculture has not done a good job of putting that word out in the last 20 years,” Berry says. “Now we’re starting to get that word out and people are starting to realize just how important agriculture is—and it is getting easier to locate a livestock operation, or to do something in agriculture today.”

In addition to educational programs, A-FAN works directly with those who want to get started in the livestock business or expand their current livestock operation. Berry says that phone calls have picked up in recent weeks, with the most interest in dairy and poultry.

“I often have people ask me, ‘How can you be promoting livestock at a time like this?’”, says Berry. “My answer to that always is, ‘You know, agriculture is a cyclical business—it always has been, it always will be—maybe this is the time to be getting in.’”

A-FAN is producing a series of internet-based videos on modern livestock operations in the state. The videos are available for viewing on the A-FAN web site, and can also been seen on the popular video site YouTube. Link

Many states have a groups set up like Nebraska has and they are all doing some great things. It’s important that they continue to receive the support they deserve in promoting agriculture in our states. I have personally seen the difference these groups make, and unfortunately, they are a necessary part of doing business in today’s world.