McPherson County, located in the Sandhills region of Nebraska, is the least populated county in the state.
It’s there, in one of the most sparsely populated places in Nebraska, that Annalee Starr was raised — surrounded by wide-open Sandhills, long drives to school and a family that defined her understanding of hard work, faith and agriculture.
At the center of it all is Cedar Top Ranch, a multigenerational, family-owned and operated cattle ranch in the heart of Nebraska’s cattle country.
Growing up as one of nine children, Starr’s days were shaped by livestock, chores and constant activity.
“There was always something going on — whether it was helping on the ranch or just being together,” she said. “It taught me responsibility, but more than anything, it taught me the importance of family and faith.”
Starr’s path to Lincoln looked different than many of her peers. She attended small rural schools, where graduating classes could be counted on one hand. Her daily routine often included a 30-plus-minute drive to school alongside siblings, packed into a vehicle filled with conversation and activity.
“It was always loud, always busy,” she said with a laugh. “But it also meant we were involved in everything from a really young age — sports, speech, activities. You were just part of it.”
Those early experiences helped shape her perspective — and eventually, her confidence.
“I realized over time that public speaking was something I needed to get better at,” Starr said. “Growing up in a small, rural area, I wanted to be able to connect with people outside of that, and communication became a way to do that.”
That realization led Starr to pursue a degree in agricultural and environmental sciences communication, along with a minor in leadership and communication in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
She is also part of a proud Husker legacy. Her grandfather, Eldon Starr, and father, Scott Starr, both earned degrees in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and were active in Block and Bridle. Her older siblings followed similar paths — her brother, Austin, in animal science, and her sister, Ashley, in child, youth and family studies.
For Starr, choosing Nebraska felt natural.
“I always knew UNL had the programs and opportunities to set me up for success,” she said. “Between animal science, ag communications and the people here, it just felt right.”
One of her most impactful courses — strategic writing, taught by Geitner Simmons — helped refine her voice as a writer.
“We weren’t just writing to write — we were writing about things that were meaningful to us,” she said.
“He pushed us to make it authentic and to take people somewhere through our words.”
She also found mentorship in Dr. Aiken, who provided both academic and personal support throughout her college experience.
“She made you feel heard and supported,” Starr said. “That made a big difference for me.”
Starr made the most of her time on campus through a variety of leadership and service opportunities. She served as a Block and Bridle ambassador for two years, helping recruit students, build community within the organization and represent the club at campus events. She also participated in Nebraska’s Ag Sack Lunch Program, working with fourth-grade students to teach them about agriculture.
“It really made me think about how you communicate with different audiences,” she said. “You have to adjust depending on who you’re talking to.”
She was also involved in Salt Company and the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow student organization, connecting with peers and professionals across the industry.
Through a combination of dual-credit coursework and a focused academic path, Starr will graduate in just three years.
During her final year, Starr brought her experiences together through an internship with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications team. In that role, she wrote stories highlighting Nebraska agriculture — from student features to producer profiles — helping communicate the value of the university’s land-grant mission.
“Getting to tell those stories has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience,” she said. “It’s shown me how important it is to share what agriculture really looks like.”
Her background gives her a unique perspective — one rooted in both lived experience and professional training.
“I want to be a bridge,” Starr said. “I want to be just as connected to the beef industry as a producer as I am as a consumer — and help others understand it too.”
As she prepares to graduate, Starr is exploring opportunities that will allow her to remain closely connected to the beef industry, particularly in roles with breed associations, commodity groups or agricultural communications. While she is still considering her next step, her long-term goal is clear: to build a career that allows her to tell the stories of agriculture while staying grounded in the values that shaped her.
“Agriculture has given so much to me,” she said. “I want to give back by helping tell its story and representing the people who are a part of it.”
Starr said her time as a student in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has been instrumental in preparing her for that future.
“Being a CASNR student has meant being part of something bigger than myself,” she said. “It’s given me the skills, the confidence and the connections to step into the industry and make a difference.”
No matter where her career takes her, one thing remains constant — home.
“One of my favorite things now is seeing my siblings come back with their own families,” she said. “Getting to share that place — a little piece of what our childhood looked like — is really special.”
