NCTA celebrates diversity, agriculture industries

January 16, 2018

Dean’s Column by Ron Rosati, Ph.D.

This week we remember and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a man who pursued many of the same goals addressed at NCTA: education, economic development, personal development, and human dignity.

Dr. King pursued noble goals while pushing for nonviolence. This is one of his quotes from 1964 which best summarizes his vision:

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”

NCTA will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with programs in classes of the the General Education Division.  Also, the campus was closed on Monday for the national observance of Dr. King.

Two industry events

The campus frequently welcomes our partners in agriculture to host activities open to the public and NCTA students. Local farmers, ranchers and Aggie students met Tuesday evening at the West Central Cattlemen’s meeting. On Thursday, the campus hosts the 2018 Sorghum Symposium.

Registration is at 9 a.m. for the sorghum forum at the Education Center. Visit the trade show, meet industry leaders from the sorghum growers association and state checkoff board, and hear from a fantastic slate of educational speakers.

Our thanks to the West Central Cattlemen affiliate of the Nebraska Cattlemen for including the NCTA Collegiate Cattlemen members in their activities.  And, to the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association, the Nebraska Sorghum Board, and Nebraska Extension for Thursday’s programs.

It’s always nice to rub elbows with our industry partners at YOUR university and for Aggie students to interact with livestock and crops producers.

Livestock Judging Team

The NCTA Aggies Senior Livestock Judging Team traveled to Denver late last week for the 112th annual National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.

Aggie students attending the contest were:

Joe Calvo, Bassett; Wyatt Duskie, Jewel, Kansas; Dean Fleer, Pierce; Nathan Lashley, Curtis; Katharine Schudel, North Loup; and Braden Wilke, Columbus, assistant coach.

The NCTA Aggies placed 15th High Team in the Carload Judging.

During the Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest which attracts teams from 2-year and 4-year colleges all over the nation, the Aggies earned their highest ranking in more than a decade with 20^th High Team, reports Doug Smith, team coach and chair of the NCTA Animal Science and Agricultural Education Division.

The Team’s rankings were:

20th High Team
13th High Team in Swine

15th High Individual was Katharine Schudel
20th High Team in Cattle

20th High Team in Sheep and Goats
21st High Team in Oral Reasons

We are very proud of the dedication put forth by these students as they represent NCTA in competitions regionally and nationally.  Congratulations, Aggie livestock evaluators!

NCTA January events:

18 – Sorghum Symposium, 9 a.m., Ed Center (public)

18 - Free, public film screening, "You Are Not My Negro," 6 p.m., Ed Center (public)

18 – Horticulture Club Dance, (NCTA)

22 - Jim Wand hypnotist (NCTA)

23 – Women’s Self-Defense Class (NCTA)

25 – Chili Cook-off, 4:30-7 p.m., (public)

27 – 4H Beef Weigh-In, 9-11 a.m., Red Barn

29 – Frontier County 4- Council, 7:30 p.m. Ag Hall

NCTA Mission:

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.