In the fall of 1995, I walked into the University of Nebraska East Campus Union as one of the new LEAD 15 fellows. Surrounded by only a couple of people I knew, there was a sense of unity and comfort. 

Over the course of the next two years, I would grow to love this group of people as if they were my family. Through the various in-state seminars, we continued to bond with one another. We talked about families, farming “ups and downs,” the cattle markets and more as we laughed, cried and truly enjoyed each other’s company. 

Little did we know that this group of 30 fellows would become forever friends, and the program’s impact was immeasurable.

Career choice

I attribute my career to the LEAD program because I learned of an open position at the Nebraska Beef Council through one of my LEAD fellows, who was on the NBC board of directors. In 1996, I started at NBC as the director of consumer information, working to promote beef to health influencers, educators and consumers through the checkoff to strengthen beef demand in the global marketplace. 

The LEAD program opened my eyes to the world around me to see that Nebraska was so much more than just agriculture, and that Nebraska agriculture is held in high regard with people all across the globe. This experience helped me to understand the importance of embracing the breadth of the beef industry, and looking at it through a wide lens. 

The work at NBC is done with passion by our team and me. Our board of directors is made up of salt-of-the-earth producers who believe in the programs and bettering our activities every year. 

We strive each day to promote beef to consumers, educate people on the healthfulness of beef and its nutritional value, to develop research projects to enhance and better our product, and to protect and defend our industry in the world of food marketing. Food is important to our globe, and beef plays a significant role in diets of consumers, as they desire more protein. 

Leading agriculture

The mission of LEAD is to prepare and motivate men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership. It is an honor and not a right to be involved in the program. 

Effective leadership for agriculture can occur in various ways, and each day I strive to use the skills given to me to make a difference for beef. It is an understanding that the beef we raise here in Nebraska affects lives and businesses all across the globe. 

It has been a few years since I was a LEAD fellow. My classmates are still great friends, and I am proud of the impact we have made in our part of agriculture. LEAD will continue to foster new leaders for agriculture through relationships and education. 

Agriculture will most certainly be growing and changing faster than expected. However, I believe that if we hold true to our values, and understand that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves, we all have the ability to flourish and succeed.

Bosshamer is the executive director of Nebraska Beef Council and a graduate of LEAD 15. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not those of NBC.