Tzi Martinez trims trees inside the greenhouse in June at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. He has organized a tree planting session for the public on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at NCTA. (Anthony Gardner / NCTA photo)
Seeds of success, tree of knowledge Tuesday, September 20, 2022

By NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Happy Autumn!

The Curtis community and our Aggie students at NCTA are noticing and appreciating the gradual outdoor improvements being made around campus.

Slow but sure may best describe some of the upgrades which require bids and contracts through vendors such as for new lighting and paving of streets.

Summertime projects which have extended into the fifth week of fall semester, include landscaping and plantings for the long term.

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Students from Omaha Bryan High School visited NCTA on Sept. 2 in conjunction with their visit to the Nebraska State Fair. Omaha Bryan has an agriculture program and FFA chapter. (Andela Taylor / NCTA)
College insights shared at EPPs, Discovery Days Wednesday, September 14, 2022

 High school students recognize the familiar moniker of a college fair.

 More than likely, however, few know that an Educational Planning Program is the same event, just a different name.

 Throughout September and October, high schools or community buildings across Nebraska are sites for college fairs.

 The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis is among the dozens of universities, trade schools, colleges or post-secondary training programs recruiting prospective students to their school.

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New freshmen and transfer students gather at Ag Hall for the start of the fall semester. (Rulon Taylor / NCTA photo)
Fall season and NCTA campus events Wednesday, September 14, 2022

By NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Greetings from NCTA Campus and Week #4 for the Aggies!

The past three weeks have flown by as Aggie students (and the faculty and staff) have settled into some semblance of routine here on campus. It’s been a wonderful period of getting acquainted with the new students.

The community of Curtis has opened homes, businesses, and churches to welcome our Aggie students. Thank you, everyone!

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The cattle herd at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is part of the teaching program for Aggie students. Three 2022 graduates were awarded a breeding heifer for their participation in the NCTA Heifer Link project. NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, far left, is with Ryan Liakos, Bayard; Braden Johnson, Gering; and Michael Comstock, Harrison. (Doug Smith / NCTA photo)
A degree and a heifer for three Aggie graduates Wednesday, September 14, 2022

By NCTA NEWS

In Spring of 2022, a final semester of classes at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture came with an incentive for three Aggie students.

From farms and ranches in western Nebraska, each applied to the NCTA Heifer Link project and received one animal from the campus herd.

Heifer Link was initiated about a decade ago for NCTA students at Curtis to earn a heifer and begin their herd or add to their cattle enterprise.

Michael Comstock of Harrison, Braden Johnson of Gering, and Ryan Liakos of Bayard were three successful applicants in 2022.

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Aggie friends from the Class of ’20 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture celebrated the fall season while students at NCTA. (Courtesy photo)
NCTA application fee waiver begins Friday Monday, September 12, 2022

Nebraska students who apply in the next two weeks for admission to NCTA can request a $45 savings.

Beginning Sept. 16, the fee will be waived for any resident students completing the online, shared application to be an undergraduate next fall (2023-24) at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis or one of the other NU campuses.

First-time freshmen (high school seniors) and transfer students from Nebraska who are applying between Sept. 16 through Sept. 30 are eligible for the “NUforNE” waiver.

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Dr. Larry Gossen is in his third year as dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. (NCTA photo)
Small or large, NCTA projects enhance campus for Aggies Wednesday, September 7, 2022

By NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Two weeks of classes are completed here at NCTA and everyone is settling in after a busy Labor Day weekend.

We are still getting to know our newest Aggie students, as they are becoming more familiar with the campus and community. Thank you, Curtis, for welcoming them with wonderful hospitality.

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Glenn Jurgens Memorial Scholarship recipients in 2020 and 2021 were Macy Zentner and Vanessa Herrera, seated left and right of Pam Jurgens, Curtis, with Jon Schroeder and NCTA Dean Larry Gossen.
Aggie students eligible for Jurgens Scholarships Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Scholarships of $1,000 or more will be awarded for fall semester to two Aggie students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The Glenn Jurgens Memorial Scholarship is financial assistance for any NCTA freshmen or sophomore students. Applications are due on or prior to Monday, September 19. The awards honor the longtime teacher at the high school and college level.

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Dan Stehlik attended an agricultural mechanics institute in Minnesota in August studying Technical Application in Agriculture. This tractor is equipped with autosteer capability. (Courtesy photo)
Curtis teacher earns ag mechanics certification Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Dan Stehlik, agriculture mechanics instructor at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, received a professional development certificate after a weeklong institute entitled, “Technical Applications in Agriculture.”

Stehlik was one of 33 educators from 13 states attending the TAA institute held at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota.

The course is designed for dual enrollment credit at post-secondary institutions.

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Ellie Jarecke and William Huebner each received a Sylvia Clawson/Hecht Scholarship while attending the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Jarecke is studying Agricultural Education in Lincoln and Huebner is farming in a family operation near Hershey.  (NCTA photo)
Family scholarship honors agricultural heritage Thursday, September 1, 2022

By NCTA News

Ellie Jarecke of Culbertson and William Huebner of Hershey exemplify the tradition of individuals and families engaged in Nebraska agriculture.

The two college students were 2021-22 recipients of the Sylvia Clawson English memorial for the Fred and Edna Hecht Scholarship.

Descendants of the Hecht family annually recognize NCTA students in commemoration of their family heritage in southwest Nebraska. They value higher education and students who pursue a career which benefits the state and rural communities.

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Range management and animal science students and three faculty joined NCTA Dean Larry Gossen in participating in the University of Nebraska Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory Open House on August 24. Individuals are identified in the news article.  (Rulon Taylor / NCTA photo)
Enriching conversations on, off campus Wednesday, August 31, 2022

By NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Week #1 of the fall semester is in the books!

By now, the students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture are settled into their class schedules and residential accommodations here on campus or in the community.

Throughout the fall semester, one of our many goals is to provide educational experiences and enriching opportunities for students. We can do that on a small campus as we can be flexible in our planning.

Three unique opportunities occurred in week #1, and more are coming up later this week.

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