Growing Leaders. Building Communities. Creating Career Connections.
To the nearly 12,000 FFA members across Nebraska, the iconic blue corduroy jacket is much more than a piece of clothing; it is a symbol of leadership, career connections, and a deeprooted commitment to the future of agriculture. Owning a personal jacket with the student’s name on the front and chapter on the back provides a completely different experience—it empowers young agriculture leaders with a sense of pride, tradition, and opportunity. For decades, the jacket has unified members and served as a launchpad for community building. Yet, for many deserving students, the cost of purchasing their own jacket simply puts Official Dress out of reach.
That is where the Blue Jackets. Bright Futures. campaign steps in.
Through this program, students are selected to receive a brand-new jacket, along with a tie or scarf, based on an application backed by an advisor
Fall 2026
statement. However, the number of jackets that can be awarded each year is directly tied to the generosity of donors.
A Brief Window Of Impact
You can make a positive impact by donating today! The funds for this initiative are collected during a brief window from August 1 to September 1, ensuring that students can proudly display their FFA membership when the new school year kicks off.
Whether you are a proud FFA alum or simply an advocate for the future of agriculture, your contribution can change a student’s path. By making a tax-deductible gift of $150, you aren’t just buying fabric; you are giving a young leader a lifetime of opportunities, a sense of belonging, and the confidence to step up as the next generation of agriculture leaders.
Use the QR Code by Sept. 1 to donate to Blue Jackets. Bright Futures.
NEBRASKA FFA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A TEAM EFFORT
After meeting the team that would represent the Nebraska FFA Association in March, it was evident we were chosen not as individuals but as a team. These seven individuals bring passion, energy, wit, and strong perspectives all with a common goal: To inspire and serve members of Nebraska FFA. The past 90 days have flown by, and we’re still looking ahead with excitement.
Following election, we began our training at Basecamp in April. It was the first time our team was all together, and over those three days, we learned skills to prepare us for our year with one another.
COLT (Chapter Officer Leadership Training) was our next big event. Leaders from across the state gathered in Aurora, Nebraska, to learn leadership skills, explore opportunities, and just have fun. I attended COLT in 2025 for the first time as a student with my high school FFA chapter. Being on the other end gave me a whole new perspective on what it takes to train the next leaders of Nebraska FFA.
June was just as eventful. The main focus was Business & Industry visits with the Nebraska FFA Foundation, where we traveled around the state, networking with sponsors and supporters. Meeting with the individuals that make FFA and agriculture education possible in our state gave our team a glimpse of just how
well we are supported. Whether it was discussing products with leaders of local cooperatives, learning about the seed corn industry, or exploring
agricultural banking, it was truly incredible to see the career opportunities in agriculture.
As I write this, our team is preparing to head to Washington, D.C. for State Officer Summit. This opportunity allows our team to meet with other state leadership from across the nation. Traveling together, learning together, and networking together is another way for our team to grow closer in this upcoming year.
Amidst all of these experiences, my single favorite part has been the members. Meeting the heart of Nebraska FFA has proven that our industry, our livelihoods, and our future are in good hands. I can’t wait to see what this next year will bring, and I hope you’re just as excited as we are!
Best regards,
Carson Reiman
NEBRASKA STATE FFA PRESIDENT
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Freeman Teacher Named Golden Owl Winner & Ag Educator of the Year
“
Tony has been a blessing to the Freeman community and has done so much to grow leaders and build a community.
”
Stacey Agnew
Nebraska FFA Foundation Executive Director
Agricultural educators play a vital role in our communities, dedicating countless hours to equip students for fulfilling careers and help them follow their interests. Tony Jensen, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at High School, was recently named the 2025-2026 Nebraska Ag Educator of the Year and the grand prize winner of the Golden Owl Award.
The Nebraska FFA Foundation, in partnership with Nationwide and the NAEA (Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association), honored Mr. Jensen during the Nebraska Career Education Conference held in Kearney this summer. In addition to his new title, Mr. Jensen received the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and a $3,000 cash prize.
Jensen’s journey began as a high school student in the Elgin FFA Chapter. Although he did not come from a traditional agricultural background, he took an ag class during his freshman year of high school, and it sparked
NeFFA Foundation Executive Director
Stacey Agnew and Nationwide representative Erin Cummings present Freeman ag teacher Tony Jensen with the Golden Owl Award grand prize.
a passion for agricultural education. His dedication and leadership earned him the honor of serving as an FFA state officer 25 years ago.
“Freeman FFA holds a special place in my heart, as I started the FFA program in the late 1990s,” said Stacey Agnew, Nebraska FFA Foundation Executive Director. “Tony has been a blessing to the Freeman community and has done so much to grow leaders and build a community. He is well-deserving of this award and will continue to make an impact in the lives of the students he teaches.”
Under Jensen’s 22 years of guidance, the Freeman FFA chapter has flourished, achieving outstanding success in local, state, and national competitions while embracing a culture of hard work, integrity, and service. As a new school year begins, students entering his classroom this fall will do more than just learn from an award-winning teacher—they will actively participate in a living tradition of leadership built to shape their lives long into the future.
GOLDEN OWL AWARD SPONSORS:
Business & Industry Visits: Shaping the Future of Nebraska Ag
In June, the Nebraska State FFA Officer Team traded classrooms for boardrooms, as they hit the open road. As part of the Nebraska FFA Foundation’s annual Business & Industry tour, state officers traveled across Nebraska to meet with corporate sponsors, explore diverse career paths, and network with ag industry professionals.
These visits are more than just a road trip; they are a vital bridge between students and the industry leaders shaping the future of agriculture. The stops on the tour spanned far and wide, allowing officers to get a firsthand look at the vast scope of the Nebraska ag sector.
The Business & Industry visits are a cornerstone of the Nebraska FFA Foundation’s mission to build communities and create career connections. By engaging with senior leadership, talent recruiters, and corporate innovators, the State FFA Officers gain a deeper, real-world understanding of the organizations and values driving
Nebraska’s agricultural economy. In turn, corporate partners get to interact directly with the next generation of agricultural leaders, and potential future employees. It is a mutually beneficial exchange—investing in ag education and FFA means investing in a bright future for Nebraska agriculture!
Armed with fresh insights, the State Officers will share their knowledge and inspiration with the nearly 12,000 FFA members statewide. They will bring these meaningful conversations into local chapter visits and upcoming leadership conferences, helping fellow students understand the endless possibilities that await them in the industry.
Thank you to the sponsors and agriculture professionals across Nebraska who took the time to welcome our Nebraska State Officer Team. Your dedication to Nebraska FFA ensures that the future of agriculture is in good hands.
Nebraska State Officer Continues Family Legacy
In family farming, there is constant preparation for the next generation. Passing the baton, so to speak, is a task that is never taken lightly and having the assurance and peace of mind that the next generation knows what to do and is prepared to lead is a top priority. At the Nebraska FFA Foundation, a similar objective is shared. The Foundation focuses on preserving the legacy laid by our state’s past agricultural leaders while helping future leaders build upon it.
Megan Macklin, Blue Hill FFA member and 2026-27 State Vice President, started her SAE by purchasing two cows. She’s now helping run her family’s cattle operation and breeding her own calves.
That baton is now being handed to Megan Macklin, the current Nebraska FFA State Vice President from the Blue Hill FFA Chapter. For Macklin’s SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience), she purchased two fall-bred cows in hopes of raising calves and later selling them. After purchasing her first two cows, both gave birth to healthy calves, which were sold at weaning weight. Macklin rebred both cows and was able to sell her second set of calves earlier this summer at her local sale barn.
“This SAE has taught me so much about animal husbandry, livestock management, responsibility, and the day-to-day decisions that go into operating a cattle enterprise. It has also strengthened my work ethic and shown me the importance of communication and teamwork while working alongside family,” said Macklin.
Much of what is passed onto the next generation is remembered not so much because of surface-level tasks, but because the memories and involvement with close ones are what make those lessons stick. For Macklin, that was a big part of what made her SAE so special—taking what she learned from her
family and carrying it on for the rest of her life.
“I will always cherish the time I spent learning from my grandpa as he taught me the ropes of cattle ownership,” she says. “Being involved in the same family cattle herd that meant so much to him makes this SAE incredibly meaningful. Those memories and lessons are something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Purchasing the initial cattle was one of the largest challenges because of the large upfront investment. But Macklin made the commitment, and that commitment is partly what led to her making the purchase before cattle prices reached today’s much higher numbers. With the help of the Nebraska FFA Foundation, Macklin applied for and received grant funding to assist with her SAE, and she is still reaping the benefits today.
This fall, Macklin will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying agricultural economics with a focus in pre-law. She hopes to later return to a Nebraska community as an ag attorney while staying connected with the beef industry.
“My advice to other FFA members is to be confident in what you know, but humble enough to recognize there’s always more to learn,” Macklin says. “Agriculture is built on relationships, so never underestimate the value of getting to know people and learning from their experiences.”
15 Years of Believing in Nebraska Ag
“I Believe in the future of agriculture…” is one of the most well-known, recited lines in the FFA organization, taken from the opening line of the FFA Creed. But it’s more than just words. It’s a belief, a passion, and a calling. It’s also the Nebraska FFA Foundation’s largest
annual fundraising campaign that serves as an outlet for local FFA chapters to receive donations.
September marks the official start of the 15th annual campaign. Fifteen years of providing support for innovative classroom projects, leadership programming, service learning, and industry field trips to advance ag education in Nebraska schools. Why stop now?
Through the I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign, corporate sponsors provide support for Nebraska FFA and agricultural education that supports chapter fundraising efforts at the local level. Donors to this campaign choose which chapter they support, and 100% of each local donation will be sent back to the designated chapter in addition to a portion of the $30,000 matching pool from corporate partners.
“Local FFA/Agriculture Education programs play an integral role in growing and developing future leaders in agriculture and in our communities. I see this campaign as a very important tool to help those chapters have the resources they need to grow leaders and build communities,” says Stacey Agnew, Nebraska FFA Foundation Executive Director.
TO DONATE
to a local FFA chapter, contact your local FFA advisor or use the QR code.
COMMODITY GIFTING
There are more ways to support Nebraska FFA members than by straight cash donations. Nebraska farmers and ranchers have a unique opportunity to support through gifts of agriculture commodities, such as through grain or livestock contributions. The Nebraska FFA Foundation has established a policy for gifting commodities to raise money to support the Foundation and local FFA chapters. When you’re ready to make your gift of grain or livestock, let the NeFFA Foundation and your local grain elevator or sale barn know. Once the Foundation has sold the commodity, you will receive an acknowledgement of the transfer.
Legacy of Leadership: A Lasting Investment in Nebraska FFA
Roland Langemeier (right) presents a donation check to his son John Langemeier, who previously served on the Nebraska FFA Foundation Board of Directors.
For Roland Langemeier, supporting Nebraska FFA is about creating opportunities for young people to grow, lead, and succeed.
Langemeier’s FFA story began in Hooper, Nebraska, where he was a member of the Hooper FFA Chapter. The chapter itself was still young—it was only in its second year when he joined. Even then, Langemeier recognized the value of the program and quickly became involved, particularly through livestock projects and showing spotted hogs. Those experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of agriculture and leadership development.
“FFA is the best leadership development program in the state,” Langemeier says.
Throughout his life, Langemeier remained committed to agriculture and helping others succeed. One of the most meaningful opportunities came through his involvement with a cattlemen’s group that unexpectedly acquired a substantial amount of money. Under the leadership of Loran Schmit, a cattle producer from Bellwood, Nebraska and a state senator who served in the Nebraska Legislature, the cattlemen group’s board of directors carefully considered how those funds could make a lasting difference.
As the years passed and the original board members passed away, Langemeier became the sole remaining
“
FFA
is the best leadership development program in the state.
”
Roland Langemeier
FFA Donor
director. Faced with determining the future of the remaining funds, he wanted to ensure the money continued to support agriculture, opportunity, and growth. He wanted the funds to continue supporting the values that had guided the organization from the beginning: leadership, opportunity, agriculture, and growth.
For Langemeier, the Nebraska FFA Foundation was the natural choice.
“I wanted the money to continue helping young people,” Langemeier says. “FFA reaches students all across Nebraska and gives them opportunities they might not otherwise have.”
Whether providing chapter grants, leadership experiences, or putting the iconic blue corduroy jacket on a student’s back, Langemeier knows his gift will help countless young people for decades to come.
“The blue jacket means a lot,” he says. “It represents opportunity, leadership, and belonging.”
By directing the remaining funds to the Foundation, Langemeier is ensuring that the vision Loran Schmit and the original cattlemen’s board shared will continue long into the future. Their commitment to strengthening agriculture and supporting the next generation will now live on through a lasting investment in the next generation of Nebraska’s leaders.
