AINSLEY HAS GROWN HER NETWORK THROUGH THE BEEF SCHOLARS PROGRAM AND SHOWN HER WHAT'S POSSIBLE IN THE BEEF INDUSTRY.
Hometown: Wallace, Nebraska
Major: Animal Science
Minor(s): Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars
Anticipated date of graduation: May 2026
Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and what drew you to the Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars Program?
I attended State FFA convention and NAYI when I was in high school, with both causing me to spend a lot of time on East Campus over the years. As someone who attended a very small high school, I was nervous to go to college, due to the copious amounts of people. But, being on East Campus and knowing that is where I would spend most of my time as an Animal Science major, it didn’t feel so big. The classes were smaller, the professors seemed to really care, and the last three years have 100% confirmed those beliefs. I first heard about Beef Scholars from one of my first college professors, Dr. Bryan Reiling. He was, and still is, heavily involved in the program. After speaking to some of the older students in the minor, I decided to join and I am so happy that I did.
What has been your favorite experience in the Beef Scholars program so far?
Getting to see Sustainable Beef in North Platte while it was being built. We were really able to see the layout and take our time walking through it since there were no cattle in the plant yet. It feels so much larger when there aren’t people and animals everywhere.
How has the Beef Scholars program helped you prepare for a career in the beef industry?
The Beef Scholars program has helped me in a multitude of ways. Of course, there is what I have learned in classes and the trips I have been and will go on. To me, though, the most important aspect is the people I have gotten to know, from classmates to professors to industry professionals.
What has been your favorite class or learning opportunity connected to beef, and why?
Animal Science 200 - Animal and Carcass Evaluation has probably been my favorite class I have taken at UNL. We would evaluate live animals one week and evaluate the carcasses of the same animals the next week. Then, we finished our unit on a species, we would fabricate those animals in the meat lab. It was so interesting to see how the animals compared from live to on the rail to being cut down to retail cuts.
Can you share a memorable activity, trip, or connection from Beef Scholars (e.g., tours, industry visits, networking)?
My most memorable activity was our trip to Colorado the summer after sophomore year. It was very interesting to see the similarities and differences from Nebraska to Colorado, especially in terms of policy. I also enjoyed the trip as a whole, getting to know my classmates and professors better, seeing as we were in confined spaces in the vans for a lot of time.
What are your plans post-graduation, and how do you see the Beef Scholars program playing a role in your future?
At this point, I am not sure what I want to do after I graduate, but I do know I want to return to western Nebraska and be involved in the beef industry. No matter what I end up doing, I will take the lessons learned, connections made, and friends met through the Beef Scholars program with me through the rest of my life.
“The most important aspect of Beef Scholars is the people — classmates, professors, and industry professionals”
Outside of school and Beef Scholars, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Outside of school and Beef Scholars, I love spending time with my friends, taking trips back to western Nebraska to see my cows, reading, and watching Formula 1 racing.
What scholarships or support have you received that have helped you during your time at UNL?
The biggest support I have received has been from my professors. My biggest fear coming to college was having professors that didn’t care about my performance or be willing to help with my understanding of the materials. But at UNL, specifically within CASNR and the Beef Scholars Program, our professors care about the students and care about how well we are doing as students, as well as people. They are always happy to talk, whether that be with assignments or life advice.
