Tell us a little about yourself — where you’re from and your connection to Nebraska agriculture or natural resources.
I am Logan Reed from Holdrege, NE. I am married to Bri, and I farm with my family, my brother and I are the 5th generation. We grow corn, white corn, seed corn and soybeans.
What motivated you to apply for the Nebraska LEAD Program?
I always knew about the LEAD Program through neighbors that had been through it. After doing some research and being prompted to apply by those neighbors, I did.
What’s been the most eye-opening or impactful experience you’ve had through LEAD?
There have been many incredible experiences through LEAD. Agriculture wise LEAD has broadened my exposure to many different agriculture industries throughout the state and nation. It has given me a new-found appreciation for everyone involved in the Ag industry – from start to finish. Non-agriculture wise our trip to Germany and the Auschwitz concentration camp for our international seminar. It will forever have an impact on my life, seeing the history that we’ve been taught in person put into perspective understanding the things that matter, and the things that don’t.
How has your participation in the Nebraska LEAD Program inspired you to get involved?
One of the areas has been the true examples of what it looks like to be a humble servant leader. It helped show me what good leadership looks like, and has given me the confidence to get involved and help my community. An organization is only as good as its leadership, and if people don’t get involved our towns and communities will slowly die.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying to the Nebraska LEAD Program?
Apply, LEAD has pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many areas. If you are looking to grow yourself as a person or a leader LEAD is the best organization to do that. It was the perfect thing, at the perfect time in my life, to keep me growing as a leader.
What do you view as the biggest challenges facing agriculture in Nebraska?
One of biggest challenges in my opinion is the representation in the politics. Most representatives at the state and federal level have very little connection to agriculture and don’t understand its importance to the sustainability of our state and nation. Another challenge is the fact it’s getting harder to find farm labor. The population in rural counties is getting older and shrinking at the same time.
What keeps you optimistic about the future of Nebraska agriculture?
Farmers and ranchers are some of the hardest working, honest and most innovative people anywhere in the world. We have adapted to challenges for generations and will continue to do just that. There’s not another group of people I’d rather be associated with.
