First National Bank of Omaha and Don Stenberg, Nebraska state treasurer, announced the kickoff of the NEST on the Farm Fun Photo $1,000 Drawing at the 29th annual Nebraska Governor's Ag Conference in Kearney.

From now until June 30, Nebraska residents can submit farm- or ranch-themed photos taken of or by children 13 years old or younger to be eligible to win one of six $1,000 NEST College Savings Plan contributions. NEST stands for Nebraska Education Savings Trust.

"We are excited to incorporate Nebraska's largest industry, agriculture, into a fun and easy-to-enter scholarship opportunity for Nebraska children," Stenberg, trustee of NEST, said at a news conference at the start of the Governor's Ag Conference. "Similar to farming and ranching, saving for college requires prolonged attention and care. We are happy to plant seeds for the future through the NEST Farm Fun photo drawing."

Erin Radtke of Kearney, whose son Barrett was photographed in a winning entry last year, said a $1,000 NEST scholarship "goes a long way in a family like ours."

Speaking at the news conference, Radtke said finding an extra $20 in a paycheck — let alone $1,000 — to put toward college savings is difficult for young families. Radtke and Dan Walgren are the parents of two sons: Barrett, almost 3, and Gunner, 4 months.

"It's more about making a future for my kids— what every mother wants," Radtke said. The NEST scholarship gives her family a great start to saving for college and "hope for the future," she said.

Last year's winning photo of her son Barrett on a tractor was taken by Barrett's great-grandmother, Pam Radtke, at the Kearney Area Children's Museum. The photo was titled, "Who Needs Training Wheels?"

To enter the NEST on the Farm drawing, the beneficiary must be age 13 or younger as of June 30, 2017. Submissions will be split into two age groups: newborn to 5 years old, and 6 to 13 years old. On or about July 15, 2017, NEST will randomly select one winner from each age group in each of Nebraska's three congressional districts. A total of six winners will receive $1,000 each in a NEST College Savings Plan contribution.

Winners will be recognized at the 2017 Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.

"We are thrilled to contribute to the growth of six children's college savings through the Farm Fun Photo Drawing," said Deborah Goodkin, managing director, savings plans, First National Bank of Omaha. "We enjoy making things easy for our account owners. With this scholarship, going outside and having a fun photo shoot in a farm or ranch setting is all it takes to lead to a potential $1,000 in college savings. Children, parents, grandparents and other loved ones are encouraged to enter. We look forward to seeing the fun and creative photos."

Photos may be submitted by email at [email protected], following the official guidelines, available at NEST529.com/scholarships and at treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships.

To find out more about NEST College Savings Plans, visit www.NEST529.com or treasurer.nebraska.gov.

Source: Nebraska State Treasurer's Office