2018 National Convention Seven members of the University of Nebraska Block & Bridle Chapter attended the 98th National Block & Bridle Convention that was held March 1 – 4, 2018 in Orlando, FL (Hosted by the University of Florida). The theme for this year’s convention was “Production in the Palms.” Student member representatives of the chapter included Gilbert Seck, Miranda Wordekemper, Sheridan Swotek, Magdalene O'Brien, Chelsea Bryant, Abby Durheim and Amber Beasley. On Thursday, March 1, club representatives attended the National Block & Bridle business meeting where UNL club president Gilbert Seck, communicated the desire of the UNL Block & Bridle Club to host the 101st National Block & Bridle Convention. We are excited to announce that national Block & Bridle members unanimously approved UNL as the host institution for the 101st National Block and Bridle Convention in 2021. Later that evening, members attended the opening keynote presentation delivered by Trent Loos. Trent is a friend of the UNL Block & Bridle Club, a Nebraskan, and someone that shares with us a passion for animal agriculture. Loos’ inspiring keynote presentation, “Speaking up for Agriculture,” focused on advocating for agriculture. On Friday, March 2, members were given a choice of tours to explore and learn about “Production in the Palms.” Tour opportunities included the following topic areas: Sport Horse and Veterinary Focus, Thoroughbred Industry Focus, Farming an Environmental Stewardship, Florida Beef Industry, Meat Industry Leaders, and Diversified Agriculture. They stopped at locations including, the Equine Reproduction Center of Peterson and Smith, Buck Island Ranch, Palmetto Creek Farms, ,Deseret Ranches, Buckhead Meat, and many others. The program on Saturday, March 3, included a full day of educational sessions including, for example, the following: • Bola Adesogan, Professor of Animal Nutrition and Director and Principal Investigator of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems (LISL): “The importance of animal agriculture in meeting global food security, education, and poverty alleviation goals” • Ashley Hughes; Assistant Manager of Operations for Etheridge Cattle Company: “Agvocating: How to Tell Your Story" • Barry Eisaman; Eisaman Equine: “Thoroughbred Horse Racing through the eyes of an Equine Veterinarian” • Cathy Carr; UF CALS Director of Alumni and Career Services “How to be a Unicorn in a Field of Horses: Standing Out in your Job or Graduate School Search” • David Eckholdt; HR Manager with Deseret Ranches: “HR and finding your place in the workforce” • Dusty Holley; Director of Field Services for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association: “Hats, Boots, and 3 Piece Suits” • Erik Jacobsen; President, Deseret Ranches: “Life lessons and how to be a world class
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