2023 Governor’s Ag and Economic
Development Summit

Ag Bus Tour – Wood River Dairy
Tuesday, August 8
2:00pm – 4:30pm

Reception/Banquet
Tuesday, August 8
6:00pm – Reception
7:00pm – Dinner & Awards

Summit
Wednesday, August 9
8:00am – 4:30pm

Summit Agenda:

 

8:00 am – 8:30 am: Registration

8:30 am – 8:45 am: Welcome – Governor Jim Pillen

9:00 am – 10:00 am: Breakout Session 1

Track 1 - Sustainable Beef – Case Study

In-depth look at how community teamwork achieved building the Sustainable Beef Plant in North Platte.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 2 – Fueling the Future of Value-Added Agriculture in Nebraska

Learn from leading experts in the renewable fuels industry on how they plan to power Nebraska moving forward.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 3 – International Solutions in the Dairy and Livestock Industry

Panel will discuss how animal agriculture is approaching common problems in very different countries.

Moderator:
Speakers:

 

Track 4 – Nebraska’s Burgeoning Biomanufacturing Industry

Biomanufacturing harnesses the power of biology to help create and source manufactured goods and products that we use every day. Industry representatives will discuss recent and future trends in the biomanufacturing industry, Nebraska’s current ecosystem and why Nebraska has the potential to be epicenter for biomanufacturing in the future.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 5 – County Zoning Regulations: Thriving or Just Surviving

Rural Nebraska is at a fork in the road. The opportunity awaits to develop and grow rural communities through intentional agricultural development and regulations that support growth and Nebraska’s economy.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 6 – Creative Housing Solutions

Nebraska’s growing demand for housing opportunities has inspired the creation of unique programs in our communities. This panel will focus on creative solutions to address workforce, mixed income and multi-generational housing needs. The discussion will highlight ways to grow our housing stock through a variety of resources.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 7 – The Link Between Workforce & Transportation

Reliable transportation plays a key part in availability of workforce. Nebraska’s rural economy has unique workforce and mobility needs that impact the ability for businesses to expand specifically in the manufacturing, agricultural and infrastructure sectors. Join us for a conversation on how access to mobility drives economic opportunity.

Moderator:
Speakers:

10:00 am – 10:30 am: Break

10:30 am – 11:30 am: Breakout Session 2

Track 1 – Connecting Nebraska: A Pathway to Statewide Broadband Expansion

The ability to connect Nebraskans to affordable and reliable broadband is vital to Nebraska’s rural economy. Hear about how the Nebraska Broadband Office and its partners are leveraging state and federal resources to address the digital divide.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 2 – Nebraska Agriculture: Past, Present, Future

A look at the history of Nebraska agriculture and how technological advantages have improved the quality and quantity of agricultural products.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 3 – Tapping Demand for Nebraska’s Sustainable Ag Commodities

Learn the latest on Aksarben’s emerging strategies to match Nebraska’s sustainably produced crops and livestock to growing, unmet demand across global and domestic markets. Discover how verification and labeling practices can validate the unique value proposition that Nebraska farmers, ranchers and feeders deliver to food and product supply chains.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 4 – Workforce – International Talent Acquisition

A U.S. employer or an association of agricultural producers who has full-time work that needs to be performed on a temporary or seasonal basis may apply to the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) for an H-2A temporary labor certification. The general guidelines below will help you understand whether you are eligible to participate in the H-2A Program

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 5 – Department of Natural Resources Water Initiatives

The Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR) is tasked with multiple water initiatives that vary in funding and distribution. Learn about how NeDNR is serving Nebraskans to promote sustainable water management practices throughout the state.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 6 – Increase the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Pipeline

Why are new venture competitions important at our colleges and universities? What business ideas is Generation Z pitching? Hear directly from the participants and winners of Nebraska’s entrepreneurship and innovation competitions.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 7 – How Agriculture Moves: Infrastructure Considerations for Multimodal Site Development

Safe, efficient and resilient movement of goods is vital for Nebraska’s economic health. Now more than ever, embracing multi-modal methods of moving Nebraska’s commodities is a central concern. Panelists will discuss the challenges, strategies, and planning efforts involved when developing logistical sites that prepare for the changing landscape.

Moderator:
Speakers:

11:45 pm – 1:15 pm: Lunch & Keynote Speaker

12:00pm – 12:30pm: Lunch 
12:30pm – 1:15pm: Speaker – Trev Alberts, Athletic Director, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Breakout Session 3

Track 1 - Sustainable Beef – Case Study

In-depth look at how community teamwork achieved building the Sustainable Beef Plant in North Platte.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 2 – Fueling the Future of Value-Added Agriculture in Nebraska

Learn from leading experts in the renewable fuels industry on how they plan to power Nebraska moving forward.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 3 – International Solutions in the Dairy and Livestock Industry

Panel will discuss how animal agriculture is approaching common problems in very different countries.

Moderator:
Speakers:

 

Track 4 – Nebraska’s Burgeoning Biomanufacturing Industry

Biomanufacturing harnesses the power of biology to help create and source manufactured goods and products that we use every day. Industry representatives will discuss recent and future trends in the biomanufacturing industry, Nebraska’s current ecosystem and why Nebraska has the potential to be epicenter for biomanufacturing in the future.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 5 – County Zoning Regulations: Thriving or Just Surviving

Rural Nebraska is at a fork in the road. The opportunity awaits to develop and grow rural communities through intentional agricultural development and regulations that support growth and Nebraska’s economy.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 6 – Creative Housing Solutions

Nebraska’s growing demand for housing opportunities has inspired the creation of unique programs in our communities. This panel will focus on creative solutions to address workforce, mixed income and multi-generational housing needs. The discussion will highlight ways to grow our housing stock through a variety of resources.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 7 – The Link Between Workforce & Transportation

Reliable transportation plays a key part in availability of workforce. Nebraska’s rural economy has unique workforce and mobility needs that impact the ability for businesses to expand specifically in the manufacturing, agricultural and infrastructure sectors. Join us for a conversation on how access to mobility drives economic opportunity.

Moderator:
Speakers:

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Break

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm: Breakout Session 4

Track 1 – Connecting Nebraska: A Pathway to Statewide Broadband Expansion

The ability to connect Nebraskans to affordable and reliable broadband is vital to Nebraska’s rural economy. Hear about how the Nebraska Broadband Office and its partners are leveraging state and federal resources to address the digital divide.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 2 – Nebraska Agriculture: Past, Present, Future

A look at the history of Nebraska agriculture and how technological advantages have improved the quality and quantity of agricultural products.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 3 – Tapping Demand for Nebraska’s Sustainable Ag Commodities

Learn the latest on Aksarben’s emerging strategies to match Nebraska’s sustainably produced crops and livestock to growing, unmet demand across global and domestic markets. Discover how verification and labeling practices can validate the unique value proposition that Nebraska farmers, ranchers and feeders deliver to food and product supply chains.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 4 – Workforce – International Talent Acquisition

A U.S. employer or an association of agricultural producers who has full-time work that needs to be performed on a temporary or seasonal basis may apply to the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) for an H-2A temporary labor certification. The general guidelines below will help you understand whether you are eligible to participate in the H-2A Program

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 5 – Department of Natural Resources Water Initiatives

The Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR) is tasked with multiple water initiatives that vary in funding and distribution. Learn about how NeDNR is serving Nebraskans to promote sustainable water management practices throughout the state.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 6 – Increase the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Pipeline

Why are new venture competitions important at our colleges and universities? What business ideas is Generation Z pitching? Hear directly from the participants and winners of Nebraska’s entrepreneurship and innovation competitions.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 7 – How Agriculture Moves: Infrastructure Considerations for Multimodal Site Development

Safe, efficient and resilient movement of goods is vital for Nebraska’s economic health. Now more than ever, embracing multi-modal methods of moving Nebraska’s commodities is a central concern. Panelists will discuss the challenges, strategies, and planning efforts involved when developing logistical sites that prepare for the changing landscape.

Moderator:
Speakers:

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Wrap-Up & Closing – Governor Jim Pillen