NORFOLK, Neb. - Northeast Community College has a holiday gift suggestion for anyone with a connection to agriculture – whether current or several generations ago. An animal silhouette for the farmscape wall in the College’s new agriculture facilities is one way to recognize that connection to the largest industry in Nebraska and support the future of ag.
“Purchasing an animal in the name of parents or grandparents is a great way to give a gift this holiday season,” said Dr. Tracy Kruse, Northeast associate vice president of development and external affairs and executive director of the Northeast Foundation. “They often tell us they don’t want anything more to hang on the wall or dust. However, making a donation to the Nexus campaign in their name is a way to honor that request and have their name included in buildings that will serve future generations of agriculture students.”
Construction is underway on new facilities at the Acklie Family College Farm at Northeast. Included in the initial Nexus project are a veterinary technology clinic and classroom building, a combined farm operations building and large animal handling facility, a feedlot and lagoon to feed out the College’s 50-head cow-calf herd, a shelter for sheep and hogs, and a feed and commodity storage facility. The new facilities are located near the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex, 2301 E. Benjamin Ave., in Norfolk. Construction should be completed by fall 2021.
More than $20 million has been secured toward the $22.3 million improvement to the agriculture facilities. Continued fundraising for the Nexus campaign is needed to fully fund equipment, technology and furnishings in the new facilities.
To provide recognition for gifts of $50 or more, a farmscape wall has been designed and will be located in the new veterinary technology building. Small, medium and large animal silhouettes to fill the farmscape are on sale for donations of $50, $100 or $250 respectively. Donors may choose a chicken, pig, cow, or horse for their donation, and each silhouette will be engraved with a designated name, up to 20 characters.
Animal silhouettes may be ordered online at agwaternexus.com or by texting “animal” to (402) 383-FARM (3276). For information on multiple purchases or family groupings, call (402) 844-7240. Space on the farmscape is limited, so those wishing to be recognized in this way are urged to order their animals as soon as possible.
For more information on the Nexus Campaign, contact Kruse, at tracyk@northeast.edu, or call (402) 844-7056. Online donations may be made through agwaternexus.com. Checks may also be mailed to Nexus Campaign, Northeast Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 469, Norfolk, NE 68702-0469.
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