On the opening Saturday of the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, families gathered near the Raising Nebraska Outdoor Exhibit, where state Treasurer Don Stenberg announced winners of the NEST on the Farm Fun Photo drawing. Six young Nebraskans each won a $1,000 contribution into a NEST 529 College Savings Plan account. Money for the NEST on the Farm contributions was provided by First National Bank of Omaha, program manager for the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST).

NEST ON THE FARM: Six young Nebraskans were each awarded a $1,000 contribution into a NEST College Savings Plan account as part of the NEST of the Farm Photo contest. Pictured are five of the six winners and their families, along with state Treasurer Don Stenberg (in red at center).

"Agriculture is Nebraska's biggest, most important industry. What we're hoping to accomplish is appreciation for agriculture in Nebraska and encourage people to start thinking about saving for their children's education," Stenberg said. "Many people from towns and cities have uncles and grandparents on the farm. Even though the number of farms and farmers in the state has declined, there are still a lot of people that have a connection to the farm."

This year's winners
Winners were chosen in a random drawing of photographs with farm or ranch themes that were either taken by the children or that featured the children in them. Winning photos included images of a 150-year-old barn, a 4-H hog, a goat and a tractor. Each child was given a certificate featuring his or her winning photo.

The contest, now in its second year, was open to Nebraska children ages 13 and younger. Winners were chosen from two age groups — newborn to 5 and 6 to 13 — in each of Nebraska's three congressional districts. This year's winners, with their hometown and ages, are:

District 1
Todd Munk, Hickman, 8
Kylason Schoenfelder, Columbus, 1

District 2
Alivia Enger, Omaha, 1
William Corcoran, Omaha, 13

District 3
Reese Harms, Davenport, 9
Barret Walgren, Kearney, 1

Learn more at NEST College Savings or the Nebraska State Treasurer's Office.