Leverne Barrett

Today, I’m retired and live in Ceresco, Nebraska, but I began my career as a high school educator and taught agriculture classes for 15 years. In 1980, I became a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Agriculture, where I continued teaching for 30 years. During that time, I taught leadership courses and assisted communities and organizations with leadership development.

Since 2009, I’ve been a proud member of the Center’s Board of Directors. I was president of the Board from 2014 until 2017, and also served on the Granary Foundation Board from 2014 to 2020. In addition, I’ve been a member of the Center for Rural Affairs Community Capital Board since 2018.

The Center is at the forefront of helping rural America. It envelopes a niche in rural community development that no other organization addresses to date. All my life, I have been engaged in rural community development, and to be part of an organization whose sole mission is to lift up and enable citizens and communities to thrive is dear to my heart.

I hope to see the Board continue to develop the respect and collegial atmosphere of a professional board, and for the Center to continue to grow in our multi-state approach to rural development—that we never lose sight of our mission to serve rural communities and citizens who need an advocate and a helping hand to better their lives.

Vern serves as treasurer to the Center for Rural Affairs Community Capital Board. To learn more about Vern, read our blog.