NARD Foundation Sponsors student for “Ag Day on the Hill”
Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) continue to protect the future of natural resources by helping sponsor a Nebraska delegate for Ag Day on the Hill in Washington DC. This program allows a student from Nebraska to join with other students from across the country to learn more about policy, natural resources, and agriculture. Michelle Prothman was the delegate selected to represent Nebraska for Ag Day on the Hill.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for a Nebraska student to understand what goes on in Congress and learn how our federal government works,” said Dean Edson, Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD). “We’re proud to provide this kind of experience for a young Nebraskan so they can experience our Congress first-hand and be better prepared for leadership in our state,” Edson said.
Michelle is a senior at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, majoring in Agri-Business. Michelle grew up on a farm outside of Albion. She was a Boone County 4-H member for 11 years, and stays involved with 4-H by volunteering. Michelle learned about the program from her local Extension office. Michelle is the daughter of David and Jane Prothman. Michelle is looking forward to touring Washington D.C. and sharing her passion for agriculture.
Ag Day on the Hill for the Nebraska delegate is supported through the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts’ Foundation. The Foundation uses funds raised to help youth develop an interest in a variety of natural resources programs ranging from Nebraska 4-H to FFA programs. Funds for the NARD Foundation are raised through a variety of activities such as a live auction at the NRD Annual Conference held every September. The NARD Foundation was established as a way to support students with a desire to enter the field of natural resources. The Foundation helps provide scholarships, internships and support for high school students to continue their education in natural resources. The NARD co-sponsors the Nebraska Ag Day on the Hill delegate with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.
"Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to be a sponsor of this program. It offers one more opportunity for a young Nebraskan to network with their peers from other states and experience the interworking of our United States Government. This type of experience will help prepare students like Michelle to become leaders in state government and beyond," Keith Olsen, Nebraska Farm Bureau president said.
Ag Day on the Hill takes place in March during National Ag Week. This year National Ag Week is March 14-20, 2010, with National Ag Day celebrated on the final day. Delegates will be in Washington D.C. March 17-18 to learn more about agriculture, policy, natural resources and meet policy makers.
As part of Ag Day, the Ag Council organizes an essay contest and also fully sponsors 50 outstanding student representatives from across the country to participate in activities on the Hill. Michelle wrote her essay about her passion for agriculture and her positive experience with 4-H and FFA. The students—from FFA, 4-H and AFA—put a face on the future of agriculture and help personally spread a message of awareness to lawmakers and other national leaders.
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts is the trade association for Nebraska’s 23 natural resources districts. The association works with the individual Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) to protect lives, protect property and protect the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. These districts are unique to Nebraska. NRDs are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect our natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond best to local conservation and resource management needs.
