At its 101st annual convention, Nebraska Farm Bureau honored several young farmers and ranchers.

Boyd County Farm Bureau members Kyle and Tiffany Lechtenberg of Spencer were honored as Nebraska Farm Bureau's 2018 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement in Agriculture Award winners. The Lechtenbergs were selected based on performance in farm or ranch management, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles, and service to the community and Farm Bureau.

Clay County Farm Bureau members Ryan and Amy Musgrave of Ong were named recipients of the Excellence in Agriculture Award. The Musgraves were recognized for their ongoing involvement and commitment to agriculture. Candidates are judged on involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic, service and community organizations.

York County Farm Bureau member Jason Perdue of York is the winner of the Discussion Meet. Perdue received the top score of the contestants who advanced to the final round of the Discussion Meet contest. Rather than debating, contestants work to develop a solution to a problem being discussed, building on each other’s contributions.

Recipients of all three awards will receive $500 and an all-expense paid trip to the American Farm Bureau’s annual convention in New Orleans in January.

Ferguson to lead Rwanda Institute

Richard Ferguson has been named vice chancellor for the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, effective Jan. 1. Ferguson, currently a professor and interim head of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Nebraska Extension soils specialist, has led research related to nitrogen management and soils since joining the university in 1985.

Opening in July, RICA is an English language institution dedicated to educating and inspiring a new generation of innovators in agriculture in Rwanda. Establishing the Institute is a joint effort of the government of Rwanda and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, with UNL providing leadership in curriculum development and technical advising.

As vice chancellor, Ferguson will provide direction for the institution, manage fiscal resources, recruit and select faculty and staff, lead development of research and Extension programs, and oversee student recruitment.

Ferguson has been at UNL since 1985, conducting research, delivering Extension programs, and teaching in the areas of soil fertility and precision agriculture.

Heng-Moss named CASNR dean

Tiffany Heng-Moss, who has served as interim dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources since July 2017, has been named permanent dean of the college. Heng-Moss will formally begin the appointment, which is pending board of regents approval, in early 2019.

As an administrator within the college, Heng-Moss has led the development of IANR’s graduate education framework, graduate attributes and a smart enrollment growth framework. Before her administrative role, she developed and taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in the Department of Entomology.

She also provided leadership for the development and implementation of the insect science bachelor’s degree program. Her research focused primarily on insect science and pest management strategies. She has authored or co-authored more than 90 refereed teaching and research articles.

Heng-Moss is a recipient of the University of Nebraska’s Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award, which recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated meritorious and sustained records of excellence in creativity and teaching.