Staff
Megahn Schafer
Executive Director
(402) 421-4742 | megahns@nefb.org
Megahn Schafer joined Nebraska Farm Bureau as executive director of the foundation in 2015. She previously served as the Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning at the University of Nebraska Foundation where she worked for 14 years.
Megahn graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Business Administration. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Megahn volunteers with Lincoln Public School and serves on the board of directors for Ag Builders of Nebraska.
Megahn is a lifelong Nebraska resident and a native of Litchfield. She and her husband, Clint, have two sons, William and Elias.
Lona Thompson
Senior Director of Development
(402) 450-5487 | lonat@nefb.org
Lona Thompson joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in 2018 as the Director of Development. Lona enjoys developing programs and events that connect people and improve communities. She is responsible for the fundraising efforts of the foundation, building annual funding with grants, individual donors, planned giving, and managing the Foundation’s events; annual Grower’s Gala and Golf Tournament. With a passion to help connect people to their legacy, Lona enjoys spending time getting to know donors and helping them connect to their passion in agriculture. Growing up on the farm holds fond memories of hard work and the value of a dollar. It’s important to make sure each donor see the value in their investment of the future.
Lona received a degree in Organizational Communication from Doane University. She is a founding member of Women United, member of the Nebraska Agri-Business Club, and a volunteer in the community.
Lona and her husband, Steve, grew up in the panhandle. They enjoy spending time with their four daughters and four grandchildren. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling with friends and family across the United States.
Brooke Carpenter
Director of Education
(402) 646-5325 | brookec@nefb.org
Brooke Carpenter joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in June 2018 and currently serves as the Director of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education – Teaching from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with minors in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, and Horticulture.
She began as an Education Specialist, gaining extensive experience in classroom instruction, agricultural festivals, and Connecting Chapters trainings. In 2024, she assumed her current role, collaborating with the Executive Director to lead the foundation’s agricultural literacy initiatives. Brooke leads the education team and oversees curriculum development and teacher engagement. She also serves as the Nebraska State Contact for the National Agriculture in the Classroom program.
Originally from Seward, Nebraska, Brooke was actively involved in 4-H and FFA. She now lives in Lincoln with her husband, Seth, and their dog, Willow. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.
Shelby Khan
Education Specialist – Omaha
(402) 890-0210 | shelbyk@nefb.org
Shelby Khan joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in January 2024. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University with an Equine Certification.
Shelby is based in the Omaha area and specializes in developing efforts related to agricultural literacy activities at events including classroom visits, camps, clubs, after-school programs, festivals, virtual field trips, and fairs. She works in collaboration with the Senior Director of Outreach to create agricultural literacy activities and lessons.
Shelby grew up in Isanti, Minnesota where she was actively involved in 4-H and the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association. Shelby’s agricultural background began at an early age competing with horses. She has a passion for teaching others and sharing her love for all things agriculture.
Elizabeth Raines
Education Specialist
(402) 369-0862| elizabethr@nefb.org
Elizabeth Raines joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in January 2025. She graduated with a bachelor’s in agriculture education from Dordt University.
Elizabeth is based in northeast Nebraska and specializes in developing efforts related to agricultural literacy activities at events including classroom visits, camps, clubs, after-school programs, festivals, virtual field trips, and fairs. She works in collaboration with Senior Director of Outreach to create agricultural literacy activities and lessons.
Elizabeth grew up in Laurel, Nebraska on a row crop and livestock farm. She was also very involved in 4-H and FFA. This sparked a passion for agriculture in her from a young age and continues to drive her love for teaching others about it.
Jordan Carfield
Education Specialist
(308) 340-4424 | jordanc@nefb.org
Jordan Carfield joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in October 2025. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in agronomy through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Based in Grand Island, Jordan serves communities along the western I-80 corridor, both north and south of the interstate. She specializes in developing agricultural literacy activities and collaborates with schools, educators, and community partners to provide hands-on learning opportunities.
Jordan grew up on a small ranch near Trenton, Nebraska, where she was immersed in agriculture from a young age. Her background sparked a passion for agriculture that continues to inspire her to share its importance with students and communities across the state.
McKenna Schlueter
Education Specialist
402-427-4072 | mckennas@nefb.org
McKenna Schlueter joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in June 2026. She earned an associate degree in elementary education from Northeast Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in agribusiness from Chadron State College.
Based in Alliance, Nebraska, McKenna develops and delivers agricultural literacy programs through classroom visits, camps, clubs, after-school programs, festivals, virtual field trips and county fairs.
McKenna grew up in Blair, Nebraska, where she was actively involved in FFA and helped with her family’s cow-calf operation, sparking her passion for agriculture. She also enjoyed spending time on her family’s ranch in Wood Lake, Nebraska, where she developed a strong appreciation for the western Nebraska lifestyle. While attending Chadron State College, McKenna remained engaged through Collegiate Farm Bureau. Her background, combined with her passion for education, inspires her to help others understand the importance of agriculture and its impact on everyday life.
Emily Ideus
Administrative and Data Coordinator
(402) 421-4747 | emilyi@nefb.org
Emily Ideus joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation as the Administrative and Data Coordinator in 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education – Teaching from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Emily brings a background in agricultural education, customer service, and event management, along with strong attention to detail and a passion for supporting people and projects that make a difference. In her role, she manages the Foundation’s donor database, supports fundraising events, and provides essential administrative support for staff, volunteers, and programs.
Originally from Colorado, Emily was actively involved in 4-H and FFA, showing market lambs throughout her youth. Her family later moved to Hickman, Nebraska. She now lives in Lincoln with her husband, David. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors, baking, and traveling.
Faith Oldemeyer
Student Worker
Faith Oldemeyer joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation as a Student Worker in the spring of 2026. She began her studies at Southeast Community College, where she pursued a degree in Agribusiness, before transferring to Fort Hays State University to pursue a bachelor of science degree in agricultural communications.
Faith brings a strong background in production agriculture, along with exceptional attention to detail and a passion for sharing the importance of agriculture with others. In her role, she assists foundation staff with organizing events, fulfilling resource orders, and supporting a variety of day-to-day operations.
Faith grew up on her family’s farm in Firth, Nebraska, which specializes in alfalfa production as well as corn and soybeans. From a young age, she was actively involved in agriculture through 4-H and FFA, where she showed cattle, horses, and pigs. Outside of work and school, Faith enjoys baking and spending time with friends and family.
Ashlyn Boeckenhauer
Summer Intern
Ashlyn Boeckenhauer grew up on a cow/calf and row crop operation outside of Wakefield, Nebraska and was very involved in 4-H showing cattle. From an early age, she developed a love for Nebraska agriculture and strives to advocate for it.
Ashlyn began as the Agriculture in the Classroom Education Intern in May 2026. She specializes in developing and facilitating agriculture-based hands-on activities to students across Lincoln summer youth development programs.
A rising junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Ashlyn is majoring in animal science and minoring in agricultural communications, as well as the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. She plans to pursue a career dedicated to strengthening relationships between producers and consumers in the agriculture industry.
