In February of 2025, IANR welcomed Lauren Balcom, a new transfer student from Wyoming to the team. Lauren is a junior studying Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Communication with a minor in Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship. She moved to Lincoln in late January and is proud to call UNL home now.
Lauren’s family ranches in Wyoming and Nebraska, raising Angus cattle. Additionally, they operate a heifer development program, run CCB Trucking and own a cattle AI business. She enjoys helping her family in every facet of business and is always looking to learn something new. In high school, Lauren was an active member in FFA and attributes a large amount of her success and passion to the organization. She looks forward to giving back to those organizations which made her the person she is today.
After graduation, she intends to pursue agricultural communication and advocacy. “I hope to bridge the gap for those who haven’t had the opportunity to learn what ag really is,” she says. She hopes to use her time at UNL to learn more about the beef industry, advocacy and innovations in agriculture.
Her position with IANR will be rooted within the Animal Science Department, working under Eric Buck. As the previous copy editor at the Branding Iron newspaper at UW, she looks forward to bringing her passion for writing and news production to IANR.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys riding, baking, singing and learning how to play new instruments. She can also be found Country swing dancing at Pla Mor every week. Above all, Lauren loves the Lord and works to serve God in her work, school and personal life. “I live my life because Christ gave His for me. ‘If we live, we live for the Lord.’” [Romans 14:8]
