Agronomy students are Aggies of the Month

Two agronomy majors have been tapped as Aggies of the Month at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Ross Steward, Littleton, Colo., and Amelia Petska, Blue Hill, Neb., were selected by faculty and staff as NCTA Aggies for April, announced Ron Rosati, NCTA dean.

“Ross and Amelia bring enthusiasm and a passion to campus for learning about crop science and careers in agronomy,” said Rosati. “Each contributes greatly to their respective competition teams in crops judging and rodeo team, and are outstanding representatives of NCTA’s Class of 2016.”

Both students are majoring in agronomy and will graduate with an associate degree on May 5.

“Ross is an excellent student and has maximized his learning experience here at NCTA,” said Brad Ramsdale, agronomy professor and crops judging team coach.

“His involvement in Farm Bureau Club and competing in the crops judging competitions is evidence of his desire to broaden his knowledge and experiences in the agricultural field,” Ramsdale said. “Most of all, Ross is an individual of high character and integrity.”

Petska is active with the Aggie Women’s Rodeo Team, competing in barrel racing. She also represented her team with the NCTA Student Senate, and was a student worker in the campus IT department.  She has enjoyed her time at NCTA.

"It's like living in a small community,” said Petska.  “Anytime I walk through campus I can have a conversation with friends and acquaintances. We all know and look out for each other.”

Steward’s campus activities include crops judging, Collegiate Farm Bureau president, and serving as a campus volunteer.  Recently, he completed his second year on the NCTA Crops Judging Team where the team won first nationally and he placed fifth.  He also was first-place as was the team in a contest at Iowa State University.

This summer, Steward will work with USDA’s Agriculture Research Service, Water Management and Systems Research Unit, in Fort Collins, Colo. He will attend Colorado State University this fall in crops and soil science.

Petska will continue studying agronomy through the University of Nebraska Bachelor of Applied Science program, a partnership between NCTA and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) at UNL.

Currently, she works as an intern with the Monsanto Learning Center near Gothenburg.  She will continue her work there and earn her BAS from UNL while at the Curtis campus.

NCTA is an open enrollment, two-year institution with a statewide mission as part of the University of Nebraska system.  It is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  Additional information is available at ncta.unl.edu or by calling 1-800-3-CURTIS.