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Nate Goertzen climbs into one of the semis he is using to haul white corn to the grain bin from the nearby field he’s harvesting with the help of his father, Dennis.

Nate Goertzen climbs into one of the semis he is using to haul white corn to the grain bin from the nearby field he’s harvesting with the help of his father, Dennis.

Goertzen says farming is the only thing he wants to do

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Staff reportsYou don’t have to get your hands dirty to have a job related to agriculture in Hamilton County.In fact, with more than 20 percent of total employment in Nebraska being tied to the ag economy in some way, the ag workforce accounts for a huge part of the state’s 1.
Ellie Wanek is a student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is currently working a rotation program at Merck Animal Health in Elkhorn. She will be graduating from UNL in the spring and entering the ag workforce.

Ellie Wanek is a student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is currently working a rotation program at Merck Animal Health in Elkhorn. She will be graduating from UNL in the spring and entering the ag workforce.

Wanek: Interest in ag careers growing amidst younger generation

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Growing up her family’s farm run by her father and grandfather, Aurora High School graduate Ellie Wanek’s interest in agriculture goes back as far as she can remember.“My first influence would be my dad and grandpa, because they were the ones that ran the farm,” Wanek said.
In addition to crop production, Sarah Jensen and her family take care of 150 head of cattle on their farm near Hampton. With Jensen is her Australian shepherd, Duke.

In addition to crop production, Sarah Jensen and her family take care of 150 head of cattle on their farm near Hampton. With Jensen is her Australian shepherd, Duke.

Sarah Jensen enjoys active role on the family farm

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Sarah (Miller) Jensen grew up in the ag lifestyle on her family’s farm four miles north of Hampton.“My parents’ families both farmed and I just always had that love for the farming side with crops and the cattle,” she said.
Josh Roehrs, a 2013 Hampton graduate, is a mechanic at Grosshans International while still getting his hands dirty on the farm.

Josh Roehrs, a 2013 Hampton graduate, is a mechanic at Grosshans International while still getting his hands dirty on the farm.

Roehrs likes helping farmers get back into the field

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Josh Roehrs grew up on a farm just northeast of Hampton and has always had a keen interest in tinkering with equipment. “My dad was a mechanic and farmer so that’s where I got a lot of my knowledge and interest from,” Roehrs said. “Just being around it so much makes you love it.
Hampton ag teacher Joel Miller observes as Alana Wiarda preps feed for the Hawk Herd, a project Miller and his students have prided themselves on for six-plus years.

Hampton ag teacher Joel Miller observes as Alana Wiarda preps feed for the Hawk Herd, a project Miller and his students have prided themselves on for six-plus years.

Miller takes ag lessons from the farm to classroom

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Joel Miller knew from a young age that he wanted to be a farmer. Growing up on a farm in between Aurora and Hampton, Miller was his dad’s right-hand man raising cattle and crop.  Some of the best advice he got through high school was to have a backup plan, because “there’s only so much farm ground.
Sam Johnson joined the Aurora Cooperative in his first job out of college in 2018 and though he didn’t come from an ag background he now feels very comfortable in his role as director of merchandising.

Sam Johnson joined the Aurora Cooperative in his first job out of college in 2018 and though he didn’t come from an ag background he now feels very comfortable in his role as director of merchandising.

Johnson brings fresh perspective to big business of ag

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Agriculture is big business in Hamilton County, especially when you are director of merchandising for one of the largest cooperatives in the state. But for Sam Johnson, it’s the relationships that matter, realizing that he and his colleagues are impacting the bottom line, one farmer at a time.
The Little Stingers Child Care Facility is set in motion to build a foundation on the empty lot south of Giltner Elementary School starting the third week of November. Staff member Gracie Oman (center) helps preschool students with their activity sheets during their morning class on Oct. 16. Students include, from left: Cyrus Wilcox, Thayer Barnes and Della Mae Lott.

The Little Stingers Child Care Facility is set in motion to build a foundation on the empty lot south of Giltner Elementary School starting the third week of November. Staff member Gracie Oman (center) helps preschool students with their activity sheets during their morning class on Oct. 16. Students include, from left: Cyrus Wilcox, Thayer Barnes and Della Mae Lott.

Little Stingers preparing to swarm to new location in Giltner

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The Little Stingers Child Care Facility is making preparations to fly over to its new location after it was announced its two modulars will be relocated away from Giltner Public Schools (GPS).
Wes Tjaden spoke to parents at Giltner Public Schools about the dangers of vaping and drug abuse during a parent meeting Wednesday night followed by presentations to elementary and high school students in Giltner on Thursday.

Wes Tjaden spoke to parents at Giltner Public Schools about the dangers of vaping and drug abuse during a parent meeting Wednesday night followed by presentations to elementary and high school students in Giltner on Thursday.

Vaping not as harmless as advertised

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The dangers of student vaping and cannibis use were the topics of discussion at presentations made to students, staff and parents at Giltner Public Schools last week as part of Red Ribbon Week.
Work progresses on pouring Aurora's new Mission Avenue.

Work progresses on pouring Aurora's new Mission Avenue.

Mission (Avenue) accomplished

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Work crews were busy Monday pouring a new street in the Mission Critical Subdivision south of Aurora. Mission Avenue will serve as the entrance road off of Highway 14, providing access to the new Specialty Ag Formulations facility and other businesses that locate in the 135-acre subdivision.