Riley, NCTA vet tech student, with a small pet that will be at Critter Camp on June 24. (George Hipple photo for NCTA)
Youngsters invited to Critter Camp Tuesday, June 14, 2022

By NCTA News

Pocket pets, turtles, cats, dogs and more will be a part of Critter Camp at Curtis.

Youngsters 7 to 10 years of age can attend Critter Camp on Friday, June 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Youth can spend the day learning about animals in the Veterinary Technology program at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Vet Tech students in summer session will share what is like to work with animals in a veterinary clinic and the different jobs that people have in working with cats, dogs, small pets, birds, exotics and more.

Read Youngsters invited to Critter Camp
The NCTA Community Award for 2022 was presented to Mary Rittenhouse by Larry Gossen, dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.  (Crawford / NCTA photo)
Community Award for Service Tuesday, June 14, 2022

By NCTA News

Community service volunteer and campus mentor well describe the many contributions of Mary Rittenhouse.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture recognized Rittenhouse, a Curtis resident and associate professor of Agriculture Business Management, with the NCTA Community Award.

“Mary’s contributions to our campus community are invaluable,” said Larry Gossen, NCTA dean. “Time and time again, she gives of herself to assist others in Curtis and here with our campus family.”

Read Community Award for Service
David Fulton (center) Aggie Alumni Association president, joins NCTA recruiters Andela and Rulon for an afternoon at the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic. (NCTA News photo)
Linking Aggie Alumni Association with campus graduates Thursday, June 9, 2022

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

This summer the Aggie Alumni Association at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will forego a traditional all-school reunion in Curtis.

Instead, the board will host a virtual annual business meeting over lunch time on Thursday, June 23.

Aggie Alumni Association president Dave Fulton outlines the plan for 2022 activities as part of this week’s Message from the NCTA Dean.

Read Linking Aggie Alumni Association with campus graduates
High school teachers at the 2021 NCTA Ag Mechanics Boot Camp work on small engines in a class with Dan Stehlik, second on right. The 2022 Boot Camp adds more topics and clinics for FFA coaches. (Andela Taylor / NCTA photo)
Boot camp for agriculture teachers, coaches Thursday, June 9, 2022

By NCTA NEWS

High school agriculture teachers and FFA coaches can take summer short courses on June 26-28 and June 28-30 in Curtis.

Instructors will receive guided, hands-on training at the Ag Teacher Boot Camp and Coaches Clinic at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The two-day workshops will give teachers and coaches the basics of meats science, agronomy, livestock evaluation, ag business and equine management, or ag mechanics courses on small engines, equipment hydraulics, AC electrical wiring and DC electrical components.

Read Boot camp for agriculture teachers, coaches
A highlight for Spring 2022 was NCTA hosting 42 colleges for the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture contests in North Platte such as crops judging among the 13 competitions which drew 500 students and their coaches. (NCTA News photo) .
NCTA: Year in Review - Part 2 Tuesday, May 31, 2022

January – May 2022

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Reflection on the past year for our Aggie campus community and the Class of 2022 brought many memories to the fore. Last week in Part 1, we noted a few highlights for May to December 2021 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

In Part 2, we look at January through May of 2022:

January

Read NCTA: Year in Review - Part 2
Six Agricultural Education majors from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture assisted with the Aggie exhibit booth at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island. (R. Taylor / NCTA photo)
NCTA: Year in Review - Part 1 Friday, May 27, 2022

May 2021- Dec. 2021 Highlights

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

The Class of 2022 has experienced many events from their final year together at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

In reflecting upon my second academic year at NCTA, here are a few of the most memorable events from May through December 2021:

May 2021

Read NCTA: Year in Review - Part 1
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture recognized Jo Popp with the 2022 Excellence in Service award presented by NCTA Dean Larry Gossen. Jo has worked with Aggie Dining and Food Services for nine years. (Crawford / NCTA Photo)
NCTA serves up an award for the server Monday, May 23, 2022

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

The whole campus knows the friendly, smiling faces behind the counter of Chandie’s Castle at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

One those deli greeters is Jo Popp known for the big and little things she does behind the culinary scene at NCTA.

The campus community and the public frequent the deli for an early-morning latte, tasty wrap at noon, or that delicious soft serve in the afternoon.

Faculty and staff recognized Jo Popp with their 2022 Excellence in Service Award at the end-of-year luncheon.

Read NCTA serves up an award for the server
Veterinary Technology students work with their lab instructor Judy Bowmaster-Cole, LVT, at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.  (George Hipple Photo / NCTA News)
NCTA announces Spring Semester Dean’s List, Honor Roll Thursday, May 19, 2022

By NCTA News

Academic honors for students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture were announced for the Spring Semester.

“The Aggies ended their academic year quite successfully with six students on the Dean’s List and 62 on the Deans Honors Roll,” said NCTA Dean Larry Gossen. “Grades for freshmen, in particular, improved in their second semester.” 

Aggie students are very active in their coursework, as well as serving in student organizations, as campus leaders, and many on traveling, competition teams,” Gossen notes.

Read NCTA announces Spring Semester Dean’s List, Honor Roll
Livestock management students Nathaly Dragoo, left, and Lauren Kelley check the NCTA herd at Aggieland on campus. Dragoo also is a summer Farm/Ranch Crew employee. (Mary Crawford / NCTA News)
Aggies prep for summer session Thursday, May 19, 2022

NCTA Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Campus is rather quiet this week.

Graduation is completed. Faculty have submitted their end-of-year reports. Students are moved out of the residence halls.

Food Service staff and others pitched in immediately after graduation to clean and organize Chandie’s Castle deli for the summer. I appreciate the team effort in this project.

The deli in the Student Union known as The Barn, is open again for the campus and public.  Beginning May 23, the service hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Read Aggies prep for summer session
NCTA Aggie Ranch Horse Team member Emma Hollenback of Ewing guides Rio in the trail class at Elbert, Colorado. (Photo by Emma Yarolimek / NCTA)
Aggies ride at Palooza in the Pines Tuesday, May 17, 2022

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

The pair became college graduates in Nebraska on Thursday.  Stock horse contestants in Colorado on Saturday.

And, by Sunday, Jessica Burghardt and Connor Crumbliss had ended their college careers twofold.

First, in academics at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, and second, as members of the NCTA Ranch Horse Team.

After graduating on May 5 from NCTA in Curtis, Burghardt and Crumbliss joined four teammates for a stock horse show called Palooza in the Pines at Elbert, Colorado.

Read Aggies ride at Palooza in the Pines