LINCOLN, NEB. – The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation held its third annual Grower’s Gala on Dec. 3, during the 2018 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Convention. The evening was filled with dinner, a live auction, and entertainment by dueling pianos with Fun Pianos!
The live auction featured a DJI MAVIC PRO Drone, Case IH 9000-watt generator, once-in-a-lifetime flight in an open-cockpit Historic WWII plane, dinner with the governor, and travel and entertainment packages. Lancaster County Farm Bureau sponsored the third annual “deck of cards” raffle, and Shane Greving of Merrick County Farm Bureau was the lucky winner of a Beretta A400 Lite Shotgun and Sig Sauer Pistol.
“I am grateful to the 300 people who attended the Grower’s Gala to support the next steps in agricultural literacy in Nebraska,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “The money raised from the event will enable us to demonstrate the importance of agriculture to a greater number of students and consumers across Nebraska.”
Thanks to the generosity of donor Charles W. Herbster of Falls City, Neb., a matching gift doubled the first $15,000 raised at the Grower’s Gala. Totals for the evening topped $50,000 to support the Foundation’s programs including Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom, the Ag Pen Pal program, scholarships and awards, and consumer engagement efforts.
“Despite some tricky weather, we had a good crowd, and those who braved the cold were treated to a wonderful meal and a fun night of singing and dancing along with the dueling pianos. It was great to see Nebraska farmers and ranchers take a moment to celebrate their way of life while giving back to make sure the next generation also has opportunities for success,” said Schafer.
Special thanks to auctioneer Rick Shoemaker of Huss Livestock Market, LLC, and the following live auction and raffle donors: Farm Bureau Counties: Blaine, Box Butte, Brown, Buffalo, Cherry, Colfax, Custer, Douglas, Garfield, Hall, Hitchcock, Holt, Keya Paha, Lancaster, Lincoln, Loup, McPherson, Rock, Thomas, and Wheeler. Nebraska Farm Bureau member benefit partners: AAA of Nebraska, Case IH Agriculture, Certified Piedmontese, Choice Hotels, Farm Bureau Bank, Grainger Industrial Supply, Great Wolf Lodge, TripBeat, and Showboat Branson Belle. As well as these additional supporters: 21st Century Equipment, Applebee’s, Kevin and Penny Burch, Courtyard Marriott-Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket, Jordan Dux, Friends of the Foundation, Duncan Aviation, Governor Pete Ricketts, Graduate Hotel-Lincoln, Hilton Garden Inn-Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket, Terry and Shelley Keebler, Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, Lincoln Residence Inn, Lincoln Saltdogs, Landmark Implement, Livewire Fence Supply, Legends Restaurant, Lukas Fricke, Steve and Elma Nelson, Mellow Mushroom, Keith and Doris Olsen, Pepper Jax Grill, Bruce Rieker, Scotts Bluff Country Club, and Village Inn.
The mission of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is to engage youth, educators, and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, visit www.nefbfoundation.org.
