PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
July 23, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach is pleased to announce that two Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) delegates were each awarded scholarships for their leadership skills and commitment to agriculture demonstrated during a recent five-day conference on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

Nora Spath of North Bend and David Jobman of Gothenburg were each awarded a $500 scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska's College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources (CASNR) for the 2007/2008 academic year.

"These scholarship winners are truly the future of Nebraska's agricultural industry," said Ibach. "We are pleased that these scholarships will assist them with their future agricultural education goals."

This marked the seventh year the scholarships, sponsored by CASNR, were awarded. Spath and Jobman were selected by NAYI counselors based on their leadership skills, interest in agriculture, and the good example they provided to other NAYI delegates throughout the conference.

Approximately 135 high school juniors and seniors from across Nebraska gathered for NAYI at the University of Nebraska campus from July 8-12. They discussed agricultural policy, heard motivational speakers and participated in a simulated farm management program. Delegates were selected to attend NAYI based on their interest in Nebraska agriculture and their leadership skills.

The NAYI program is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC), comprised of 12 college-aged men and women selected by NDA.

David Jobman is the son of Terry and Nancy Jobman of Gothenburg. He is involved in FFA and plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, majoring in Mechanized Systems Management. Jobman is a recent graduate of Gothenburg High School.

Nora Spath is the daughter of Jim and Mary Spath of North Bend. She is involved in FFA, National Honor Society and 4-H. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, majoring in Agricultural Education. Spath is a recent graduate of North Bend Central High School.