NACTA students discovered their hidden resource in contests

NCTA Dean’s Message by Dr. Larry Gossen

Nebraskans introduced college students from around the United States to our unique agriculture and natural resources during a national conference last week in North Platte.

We were honored to host the NACTA Judging Contest 2022 “Discover Your Hidden Resource” in west central Nebraska.

In three days, more than 500 students plus coaches and guests represented 42 colleges in contests of ag business, mechanics, crops, livestock, dairy, knowledge bowl, precision ag, horticulture, soils, and equine management.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a longtime member of the North American Colleges and Teachers in Agriculture (NACTA). This organization is comprised of 2-year and 4-year colleges.

From the terrain of a soils contest to huge green machines used in precision agriculture, visiting collegians marveled at the unique nature of Nebraska crops and resources.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, or experienced a contest of this magnitude,” said a native Virginian who attends a college in Kentucky. He judged FFA in high school, but had not traveled to Nebraska, nor is familiar with our agriculture.

He wasn’t alone in learning more about crops, groundwater, soil conditions and being around some the large green machinery that AKERS Equipment Solutions of North Platte delivered for the precision agriculture contest.

College vans and busses maneuvered around town and shuttled students from the D&N Event Center to the Lincoln County Fairgrounds, West Central Research, Extension and Education Center, and Mid-Plains Community College north campus.

One bus took dairy judging contestants to the Dawson County Fairgrounds at Lexington, a closer proximity to the Racicky family’s dairy show string from Ansley.

Dedication from volunteers and officiants was outstanding. For example, not only did livestock producers from throughout the region haul stock to North Platte for the judging contest on Friday, they listened to and scored oral reasons on placings.   

Susie Whittington, professor at The Ohio State University’s Agriculture Technical Institute (ATI) at Wooster, is current NACTA president. She attended Saturday’s events and assisted NCTA Professor Mary Rittenhouse by serving on a panel judging Agricultural Sales and Communications presentations.

A hearty congratulations to Dr. Brad Ramsdale, our NCTA agronomy professor and crops judging coach, for coordinating this massive event.

By the end of Saturday night’s banquet, where I had the pleasure of announcing awards in the 13 contests, we heard rave reviews regarding the hospitality, programs and logistics for the three days.

The NACTA conference, represented by our colleague, Mike Roeber, livestock judging coach and faculty member of Northeast Nebraska Community College in Norfolk, read a resolution to nearly 600 banquet guests.

“Be it resolved that the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture administration, faculty, staff and students, the contest officiants who gave their time, talents, and resources to make these contests possible, we thank and commend them for hosting this NACTA Judging Contest in an exemplary manner.

The hospitality extended and enthusiasm displayed are greatly appreciated. The NACTA conference coaches also wish to express their appreciation to the City of North Platte, and the sponsors for their financial and in-kind support of the 2022 NACTA Judging Contest. From all the participants, the coaches, and members, we thank you.”

Kudos from NCTA to the Lincoln County Convention & Visitors Bureau, community residents, and many businesses who greeted our out-of-state guests. Major sponsors included Valley Coop, Corteva Agriscience, and AKERS. We enjoyed working with our educational counterparts in Nebraska Extension and community colleges.

It truly was a great experience for NCTA and the NACTA membership. A hat tip to all!

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.

NCTA Events:

April 6-8:  Nebraska FFA Convention, Lincoln

April 8-9:  NCTA Rodeo Team to South Dakota State University Brookings

April 8-10: NCTA Punchy in Pink Spring Roundup Horse Show, Red Willow County Fairgrounds, McCook

April 11:  NCTA Discovery Day, Education Center

April 10-12:  NCTA booth at Iowa FFA Convention

April 18:  NCTA New Student Enrollment, Education Center