Northeast Nebraska Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Compact

satellite view of nebraska

The Northeast Nebraska Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Compact is the first of its kind in Nebraska. The compact combines the strengths of multiple institutions in the region to meet the education needs of youth and lifelong learners and contribute to workforce and talent development to support economic growth strategies in agriculture and natural resources.

Compact partners aim to boost workforce development solutions for agriculture and natural resources industries in the region through several strategies, which include an external labor market demand analysis for the agriculture and natural resources industries in northeast Nebraska. Skills, programming, competencies and credentials offered by the partners will be aligned with the demand in the labor market. Additionally, compact institutions will partner with ongoing workforce development efforts in the region.

This is about preparing the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and leaders in resilient food, energy, water and societal systems.

Tiffany Heng-Moss Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Compact Goals

The goals of the compact include providing education platforms for the continuum of learners in resilient food, energy, water and societal systems that align with career opportunities for an evolving workforce for communities. This will include developing an inventory of formal and nonformal agriculture and natural resources education programming, establishing an open-access database of curricula for K-12 and nonformal learners, and designing education platforms for the continuum of learners that align with labor market demand for agriculture and natural resources.

In an effort to improve college and career readiness, educational attainment, community and economic vitality and growth, the compact will leverage the combined strengths of the partners to provide education platforms, teacher preparation, seamless career education pathways and workforce development solutions. For more information, download the compact framework document.

gradeschool teacher educating her class

Education Platform

Design education platforms for the continuum of learners in resilient food, energy, water, and societal systems that align with career opportunities for an evolving workforce for our communities.

teachers learning in a seminar

Teacher Preparation

Prepare teachers (including curriculum) and provide professional development programs for pre-and in-service educators that are responsive to the increased need for highly qualified K-12 agricultural science and STEM educators.

two college students walking on campus

Career Education Pathways

Create seamless career education pathways to prepare the next generation of professionals, problem-solvers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in resilient food, energy, water, and societal systems.

two farmers in a field learning to use a computer

Workforce Development

Provide workforce development solutions for the agriculture and natural resources industries in the region to meet the demand in the labor market.

Committee and Working Group Members

Steering Committee

Michael Boehm, Vice President, University of Nebraska and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mary Honke, Co-Interim President, Northeast Community College
Mark Lenihan, Superintendent, Wayne Community Schools
Maunka Morgan, President, Little Priest Tribal College
Michael Oltrogge, President, Nebraska Indian Community College
Marysz Rames, President, Wayne State College

Working Group

John Baylock, Northeast Community College
Kelly Bruns, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Steve Elliott, Wayne State College
Tammy Evetovich, Wayne State College
Michele Gill, Northeast Community College
Tiffany Heng-Moss, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bill Kranz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mark Lenihan, Wayne Community Schools
Hank Miller, Nebraska Indian Community College
Corinne Morris, Northeast Community College
Tara Smydra, Northeast Community College
Janyce Woodard, Little Priest Tribal College