Nebraska Agri-Business Association Holds 67th Nebraska Agri-Business Exposition and Announces 2024 Industry Awards, CCA Awards
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(Kearney, NE) The 67th Nebraska Agri-Business Exposition was held January 28-29, 2025 in Kearney, Nebraska at the Younes Conference Center North. This day and a half event consisted of educational training in conjunction with the Nebraska Extension’s Crop Production Clinics and a show of vendor exhibits.
The Nebraska Agri-Business Association (NeABA) honored industry leaders at its annual convention in Kearney on Monday, January 27. Chris Proctor, Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Department of Agronomy was awarded the 2024 Association Industry Partner Award. This award highlights individuals outside the association’s membership, who have contributed to agriculture in a significant way through their profession. Chris has worked in extension since 2015. He’s coordinated several meetings for farmers and ag industry professionals on topics relevant to cropping systems. His research program focuses on discovering and utilizing a diverse set of tools and strategies for effective weed management. In 2022, Chris worked with our board and association to bring his popular Crop Production Clinic to our Expo, allowing our members to get the latest updates and earn re-certification credits all in one place. It has been popular with our attendees and enhanced our trade show.
Dan Stork was recognized with the “Award of Industry Distinction.” This special honor is not given annually and is reserved for individuals who have been dedicated to the mission of the Association during his lifetime. Dan grew up on a family farm near Arlington, NE, where he grew corn, soybeans, alfalfa, beef and dairy cattle, and chickens. After graduating from the University of Nebraska with an Ag Economics degree, Dan began working for Diamond Shamrock followed by Ciba Geigy, which became Syngenta. Dan was elected to the Association’s board of directors and served as Chairman. He has generously given his time serving on multiple committees over the years. Dan has also made multiple trips to Washington, visiting with our federal delegation and agencies about how regulations and legislation will impact our members and their customers back in Nebraska. Most importantly, Dan values teaching the next generation the importance of a strong association and has worked tirelessly to bring new employees to events and encourage their involvement.
These awards were presented by Michael Killinger, Chairman of the Association and a Broken Bow, Nebraska resident. Michael is a sales representative for Syngenta Crop Protection.
Presented by Jess Trotter, Vice President of the Association Board of Directors, was the “Robert L. Anderson Industry Person of the Year” award. This award honors a member of the Nebraska Agri-Business Association for their exemplary service to the industry. The recipient is Rob Clevenger of Clevenger Farm Products in Gibbon, Nebraska. After graduating from Kearney State College in 1975, Rob joined a partnership and farmed for 9 seasons. Rob left the partnership and bought an oil company in Kearney, Clevenger Petroleum, with his wife Vicki. They sold Ag Chemicals full-time in Gibbon and in 1994, added Custom Application to their business. In 2012, their son Colby came back into the family business, and in 2022, their son-in-law, Mitch Mentzer joined. Clevenger’s family business has grown to meet the needs of their customers.
Rob has been a member of the Association for over 40 years and earned the Certified Crop Advisor certification.
The “Applicator of the Year” award was presented to Joe Barry of Farmer’s Pride in Battle Creek, Nebraska. This award was established to recognize a commercial applicator providing outstanding service, good stewardship in their community and exceptional leadership through mentoring or training.
Joe has been a custom applicator with Farmers Pride for almost 25 years. He covers over 40,000 acres per year. Producers specifically ask for Joe when booking their crop application, knowing and trusting him to handle the field as if it were his own.
Joe's dedication to Farmers Pride and his hard work is admired by his peers, cooperative leaders, and board members. He is a trusted mentor who teaches and trains new applicators on the do's and don'ts of the job.
Joe takes the time to ensure new applicators are comfortable in the role by riding with them as they progress through more challenging jobs.
Joe’s professionalism and leadership in decision-making, best practices, and safety has resulted in less than 1,000 acres of crop damage claims over his years of service.
Joe has been injury-free throughout his entire coop career and has not had any other work-related accidents. Joe's positive personality permeates all those who work with him.
Joe is also involved in the Battle Creek community. He is a former Battle Creek City Council Member who served multiple terms. Joe has spent years coaching youth football, basketball, and baseball. As a Battle Creek High School graduate, he is a strong supporter of all things athletic at the school and has a positive influence on the youth, coaches, and community.
Six years ago, the Nebraska Certified Crop Adviser (NeCCA) program began honoring those Certified Crop Advisers with longevity in the program with specially designed lapel pins. This year was no different with twenty-five Nebraska CCAs becoming 25-year veterans in the program. They are Bryan Abner, Gregory Bonifas, Daniel Davidson, Sean Gross, Mark Grundmayer, Jon Ivey, Bradley Jareske, Vaughn Kinney, Jason Kock, Steven Kramer, Jason Krebs, Lorin Krieger, Timothy Masek, John McKenzie, John McNamara, Roger Olson, Clark Poppert, Aaron Schmid, Charles Schurman, Brian Springer, Daniel Steiner, Gregg Sweley, Marcus Towle, Kevin Wemhoff, and Troy Westadt.
The Nebraska Agri-Business Association represents ag retailers, major manufacturers and distributors of fertilizer, crop protection, seed, equipment and other ag inputs. Nebraska Agri-Business Association provides unified leadership and influence creating tangible economic and educational value for Nebraska’s crop production industry professionals.
The Nebraska Agri-Business Association is a trade association representing agricultural retailers, applicators, distributors and manufacturers of agriculture input products, supplying and servicing Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. Our members produce, sell and provide custom application of fertilizer and crop protection chemicals.