LINCOLN, NEB. – The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation held its annual Grower’s Gala on Dec. 5, during the 2022 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention. The evening included dinner, a live auction, and entertainment by the Sherman County String Band.
Lancaster County Farm Bureau sponsored the annual “deck of cards” raffle, and Jill England of Hall County Farm Bureau was the lucky winner of a Winchester Model 70 Rifle.
“The Grower’s Gala provides a fun chance to say thank you to so many of the supporters who make possible the progress in agricultural literacy in Nebraska,” said Megahn Schafer, Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation executive director. “It was extra special to recognize board members past and present as we celebrated the 10th birthday of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.”
Preliminary fundraising totals from the event topped $57,000 to support the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom program, scholarships and awards, and consumer engagement efforts.
“All in attendance contributed to the year of Growing Food, Growing Minds, and Growing Nebraska. Thanks to generous gifts made at the Grower’s Gala, even more Nebraska students and families will experience agriculture and all it offers to our state. I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Schafer.
The evening also recognized retiring Foundation board members and Promotion and Education Committee members Hilary Maricle of Boone County and Paula Peterson of Lancaster County. Brooke Engelman of Jefferson County, Dawn Kucera of Madison County, and Rebecca Schwarz of Phelps/Gosper County were also recognized for their service on the Promotion and Education Committee.
“These volunteers have provided countless hours of service. They expand our team and grow the reach of our programs across Nebraska. It has been an honor to work alongside them,” said Schafer.
Special thanks to auctioneer Clay Schaardt of Schaardt Auction Service; Meal Sponsor, Douglas County Farm Bureau; Entertainment Sponsor, Summit Carbon Solutions; Gun Raffle Sponsor, Lancaster County Farm Bureau, Gala Sponsors, Aurora Cooperative, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Farmers National Company, FNBO, Hall County Farm Bureau, and Nebraska Ethanol Board.
Additional sponsors included County Farm Bureaus: Antelope, Blaine, Box Butte, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cedar, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dawes, Dixon, Douglas, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Holt, Keith, Knox, Lancaster, Lincoln, Loup, Madison, Morrill, Pierce, Platte, Rock, Seward, Scotts Bluff, Stanton, Thayer, Thurston, Wayne, and Wheeler.
Nebraska Farm Bureau member benefit partners: Case IH, Certified Piedmontese Beef, Farm Bureau Bank, Ford, Grainger, Great Wolf Lodge, John Deere, Nebraska Star Beef, Office Depot/Office Max, Wyndham, and Yamaha.
Individuals and organizations: AKRS Equipment North Platte, Alumni Hall, Angus Burgers & Shakes, Applebee’s, Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, Aurora Cooperative, Born in the Barn Creations, Buffalo Wild Wings, Casey’s, Central Apple Market and Country Store, Chad’s Kitchen, Cunningham’s Journal on the Lake, The Downtowner Casual Café, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Farmers National Company, FNBO, Fonner Park, Freddy’s, Get Tanked, Graduate Lincoln Hotel, HopCat, Hy-Vee, Indianhead Golf Course, Terry and Shelley Keebler, Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Lincoln Saltdogs, Nebraska Ethanol Board, Mark and Judi McHargue, Nebraska Front Porch Vineyard, Keith and Jane Peterson, Ramada Inn Midtown Grand Island, Residence Inn by Marriott, Rob Robertson, Scarlett Hotel, Patty and Jerry Shorney, Starbucks, The Steel Grill Steakhouse & Bar, Summit Carbon Solutions, Texas T-Bone Steakhouse, Tipsy Tina’s Taco Cantina, Titan Machinery: Fremont, Tri-City Storm, Walmart, Dr. Ray Ward, Courtyard Marriott, Westside Lanes, Brett Whitson, and Younes Hospitality.
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.
