Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Photo Gallery

Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute 2003

One hundred twenty-six high school juniors and seniors are in Lincoln this week for the 32nd annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). During this five-day event, delegates have the opportunity to further their interest in Nebraska agriculture by discussing agricultural policy and marketing, hearing from motivational speakers, and participating in many leadership building activities.

Take a look at what this year's delegates are doing. Photos will be updated daily.

Sunday

Exhausted counselors put the finishing touches on the NAYI program late Saturday night.

Ila Deinert takes notes during a meeting. Ila worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a successful Institute.

Returning delegates Ross Miller and Alyssa Smola grab a bite to eat at an early meeting on Sunday. Returning delegates are asked to attend meetings before the other delegates arrive late on Sunday afternoon.

Late Sunday night, the Nebraska Ag Youth Council (NAYC) meets to evaluate the first day of NAYI. Pictured from right to left are: Rachel Janousek, Michelle Wilson, Kristi Boswell, Valerie Johnsen, Lindsy Mlady, and Justin Bolte. They are part of the 13-member Council responsible for the facilitation of NAYI.

Monday

Awaiting the start of the first full day of NAYI is speaker/presenter Dr. Duane Jewell with two delegates, Shane Max and Joel Vrbka.

Among the list of speakers was former Lieutenant Governor and current University of Nebraska - Lincoln External Affairs Liaison, Kim Robak.

The Benjimin Harrison group makes their Farm Management Program decisions.

On a Monday evening tour, the NAYI delegates turned Memorial Stadium upside-down as counselor Rachel Janousek and returning delegate Landon Heinrichs are demonstrating.

Monday evening the front lawn of Kauffman Hall was turned into a midway, giving the counselors and delegates a chance to relax and take a break from the day of meetings and speakers.

Tuesday

Dr. Ronald Roskens give a keynote address at Tuesday night's State Dinner, a formal dinner held in honor of the nearly 120 selected delegates.

The entire NAYC is recognized at this year's State Dinner. Pictured from left right are: President Jerad Hutchens, Michelle Wilson, Valerie Johnsen, Kirby Wagner, Jenilee Nodlinski, Lyndsy Mlady, Vice President Rachel Janousek, Bruce Hassebrook, Lydee Jo Brown, Secretary Kristi Boswell, Justin Bolte, and Ashley Benes. Each were presented with a framed picture of the entire Council by Director of Agriculture Merlyn Carlson.

This year's Award of Merit is presented to Mr. Douglas Gibson. Picture of NAYC President Jerad Hutchens with Larry Zimmerman of Nebraska Farm Bureau. Mr. Zimmerman accepted the award on Douglas Gibson's behalf.

Merlyn Carlson presents a special award to Austin Benes. Benes is this year's Ag Youth Coordinator of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the head of the NAYC.

Counselors Jerad Hutchens and Ashley Benes facilitate a workshop on etiquette. Delegates attended workshops put on by counselors that covered etiquette and preparation for college.

Wednesday

Assistant Director of Agriculture, Greg Ibach gives a presentation on behalf of the Nebraska Beef Council. Also represented were the Nebraska Pork Producers, Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Soybean Association, Nebraska Dairy Council, Nebraska Sorghum Board, and Nebraska Egg and Poultry Division.

Dr. Ron Hanson of the University of Nebraska Ag Economics Department gives a presentation on "Keeping Farm Families Together" as part of NAYI's day on East Campus.

Returning delegate Brandon Kuenning and delegate Jenni Brown enjoy a break between speakers in the University of Nebraska East Campus Union on Wednesday afternoon.

NAYI takes over the mall on the north side of the Nebraska City Union for the Wednesday night dance. The dance allows the delegates to let off some steam and celebrate another successful Institute.

Although the weather was hot and humid, again this year, it was perfect on the evening of the dance. Delegates were able to dance into the night to a variety of music.

Thursday

Delegates Tucker Boss (left) and Christopher Meints (middle) along with counselor Lydee Jo Brown, provide some comic relief between speakers on the final day of NAYI.

JoAn Werblow of the Nebraska Dairy Council is welcomed to the podium at Kauffman Hall by Valerie Johnsen and Austin Benes.

This year's Farm Management Program winning team was the Richard Henry Lee group.

Here is what delegates have to say about why it is important for them to come to NAYI and learn more about Nebraska agriculture:

Devyn Ballagh of Burwell wav mp3

Nathan Brabec of Schuyler wav mp3

Jenni Brown of Chappell wav mp3

Keith Green of Blair wav mp3

Michael Luckey of Columbus wav mp3

Blaine Magnuson of Alliance wav mp3

Ashlee Poulas of Hooper wav mp3

Brandon Tietz of Bancroft wav mp3

Devin Verba of Grand Island wav mp3

Sarah Witte of Scribner wav mp3

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	Exhausted counselors put the finishing touches on the NAYI program late Saturday night.
Ila Deinert takes notes during a meeting. Ila worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a successful Institute.
	Returning delegates Ross Miller and Alyssa Smola grab a bite to eat at an early meeting on Sunday. Returning delegates are asked to attend meetings before the other delegates arrive late on Sunday afternoon.
Late Sunday night, the Nebraska Ag Youth Council (NAYC) meets to evaluate the first day of NAYI. Pictured from right to left are: Rachel Janousek, Michelle Wilson, Kristi Boswell, Valerie Johnsen, Lindsy Mlady, and Justin Bolte. They are part of the 13-member Council responsible for the facilitation of NAYI.

	Awaiting the start of the first full day of NAYI is speaker/presenter Dr. Duane Jewell with two delegates, Shane Max and Joel Vrbka.
Among the list of speakers was former Lieutenant Governor and current University of Nebraska - Lincoln External Affairs Liaison, Kim Robak.
	The Benjimin Harrison group makes their Farm Management Program decisions.
On a Monday evening tour, the NAYI delegates turned Memorial Stadium upside-down as counselor Rachel Janousek and returning delegate Landon Heinrichs are demonstrating.
	Monday evening the front lawn of Kauffman Hall was turned into a midway, giving the counselors and delegates a chance to relax and take a break from the day of meetings and speakers.

Dr. Ronald Roskens give a keynote address at Tuesday night's State Dinner, a formal dinner held in honor of the nearly 120 selected delegates.
	The entire NAYC is recognized at this year's State Dinner. Pictured from left right are: President Jerad Hutchens, Michelle Wilson, Valerie Johnsen, Kirby Wagner, Jenilee Nodlinski, Lyndsy Mlady, Vice President Rachel Janousek, Bruce Hassebrook, Lydee Jo Brown, Secretary Kristi Boswell, Justin Bolte, and Ashley Benes. Each were presented with a framed picture of the entire Council by Director of Agriculture Merlyn Carlson.
This year's Award of Merit is presented to Mr. Douglas Gibson. Picture of NAYC President Jerad Hutchens with Larry Zimmerman of Nebraska Farm Bureau. Mr. Zimmerman accepted the award on Douglas Gibson's behalf.
	Merlyn Carlson presents a special award to Austin Benes. Benes is this year's Ag Youth Coordinator of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the head of the NAYC.
Counselors Jerad Hutchens and Ashley Benes facilitate a workshop on etiquette. Delegates attended workshops put on by counselors that covered etiquette and preparation for college.

	Assistant Director of Agriculture, Greg Ibach gives a presentation on behalf of the Nebraska Beef Council. Also represented were the Nebraska Pork Producers, Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Soybean Association, Nebraska Dairy Council, Nebraska Sorghum Board, and Nebraska Egg and Poultry Division.
Dr. Ron Hanson of the University of Nebraska Ag Economics Department gives a presentation on "Keeping Farm Families Together" as part of NAYI's day on East Campus.
	Returning delegate Brandon Kuenning and delegate Jenni Brown enjoy a break between speakers in the University of Nebraska East Campus Union on Wednesday afternoon.
NAYI takes over the mall on the north side of the Nebraska City Union for the Wednesday night dance. The dance allows the delegates to let off some steam and celebrate another successful Institute.
	Although the weather was hot and humid, again this year, it was perfect on the evening of the dance. Delegates were able to dance into the night to a variety of music.

Delegates Tucker Boss (left) and Christopher Meints (middle) along with counselor Lydee Jo Brown, provide some comic relief between speakers on the final day of NAYI.
	JoAn Werblow of the Nebraska Dairy Council is welcomed to the podium at Kauffman Hall by Valerie Johnsen and Austin Benes.
This year's Farm Management Program winning team was the Richard Henry Lee group.

Devyn Ballagh of Burwell	wav	mp3
Nathan Brabec of Schuyler	wav	mp3
Jenni Brown of Chappell	wav	mp3
Keith Green of Blair	wav	mp3
Michael Luckey of Columbus	wav	mp3
Blaine Magnuson of Alliance	wav	mp3
Ashlee Poulas of Hooper	wav	mp3
Brandon Tietz of Bancroft	wav	mp3
Devin Verba of Grand Island	wav	mp3
Sarah Witte of Scribner	wav	mp3