Farm field with blue sky

Conservation Mentorship Network

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking participants for its Conservation Mentorship Network. The goal of the network is to facilitate peer-to-peer relationships among farmers and ranchers in Nebraska that foster learning and advance the adoption of conservation practices.

About the network

The network will consist of producers who are interested in learning from each other and willing to implement practices that are good for soil health and water quality. To accommodate the diverse needs of participants, 30 mentors from across the state have been selected to participate in network activities, as well as provide one-on-one guidance to interested individuals.

In addition to field days and farm tours, participants will be invited to attend in-person and virtual small group discussions to learn from mentors and the group at large. Attendance is voluntary, and participants are encouraged to attend events and connect with other producers as their schedule permits.

Meet our Conservation Mentors

Matt Bailey
Schuyler

Ron Bolze
Chadron

Brian Brhel
Denton

Zeke Brummels
Pilger

Homer Buell
Bassett

Chad Christianson
Hooper

Will Corman
Superior

Alex Daake
Utica

Scott Heinemann
Winside

Rob Hultquist
Heartwell

Greg Keller
Monre

Angela Knuth
Mead

Vance McCoy
Elsie

Mike McDonald
Palmyra

Alex McKiernan
Martel

Daryl Obermeyer
Brownville, Nebraska

Teresa Otte
David City, Nebraska

Paul Poppe
Scribner

Ruth Ready
Scribner

Riley Reinke
Filley

Dan Stelling
Peirce

Chris Trumler
Rockville, Nebraska

Jordan Uldrich
Milligan

Tracy Zink
Indianola

Who can participate

Participants in the Conservation Mentorship Network will:

  • Be located in Nebraska and operate (or directly influence the management decisions of) a farm or ranch
  • Express an interest in and willingness to implement conservation practices
  • Bring any level of experience to the table, relevant to their years farming/ranching or implementing conservation
  • Receive invitations to field days and farm tours, as well as small group discussions (in-person and virtual)
  • Gain access to one-on-one mentorship
  • Have the opportunity to meet with like-minded producers to discuss conservation practices and programs
  • Be invited to an online group to exchange information and ideas

Interested in joining?

If you’d like to join the network or request more information, contact Andrew Tonnies at 402.590.7096 or [email protected].