By Nebraska Farm Bureau
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation has recognized 40 educators from across the state as 2026 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions. Sponsored by the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions program highlights teachers who utilize Agriculture in the Classroom resources and programming to connect students with Nebraska agriculture.
Participating teachers complete grade-specific activities and educational opportunities designed to connect state educational standards in math, science, social studies and language arts to food, fiber and fuel. Educators who complete seven checklist items through the Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Toolkit receive recognition and classroom prizes.
“Through the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions program, teachers are helping students better understand where their food, fuel and fiber come from while bringing real-world agricultural connections into everyday learning,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, farmer and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “The Nebraska Corn Board is proud to support educators who are creating meaningful learning experiences and helping students build a stronger connection to Nebraska agriculture.”
The following educators were recognized as 2026 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions:
Morgan Anderson – La Vista West Elementary (La Vista)
Callie Asmus – Christ Lutheran School (Norfolk)
Kelsie Bahe – Bell Field Elementary (Fremont)
Jenny Battershaw – Wasmer Elementary (Grand Island)
Melissa Bernard – Beals Elementary (Omaha)
Jalynn Brase – St. John School (Seward)
Arlys Cupp – Chase County Schools (Imperial)
Kylie Ebeling – St. Wenceslaus (Dodge)
Hannah Ellis – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
Lisa Elsasser – La Vista West Elementary (La Vista)
Stephanie Evans – Ansley Public Schools (Ansley)
Tami Fraser – St. Gerald (Ralston)
Kelsey Gabel – Shelby-Rising City Public School (Shelby)
Beth Grimmond – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
Wendy Gustafson – Howard Elementary (Fremont)
Lisa Hermann – Centura Elementary (Cairo)
Madisyn Jakub – East Butler Public Schools (Brainard)
Brandi Klassen – All Saints Catholic School (Omaha)
Nicolette Koch – Wynot Public School (Wynot)
Abby Kuhn – Shelby-Rising City Public School (Shelby)
Kayla Kill – LeMay Elementary (Bellevue)
Kristi Lindburg – High Plains Community Schools (Clarks)
Kim Loseke – Leigh Elementary Schools (Leigh)
Danielle Luettel – Shelby-Rising City Public School (Shelby)
Jessica Nielsen – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
Kierra O’Brien – High Plains Community Schools (Clarks)
Christy Owen – Christ Lutheran School (Norfolk)
Courtney Peiffer – McDaid Elementary (North Platte)
Adriana Rodriguez – Sherman Elementary (Omaha)
Tabitha Rieken – High Plains Community Schools (Clarks)
Kristi Ryan – Ansley Public Schools (Ansley)
Katheryn Sauer – Kenwood Elementary (Kearney)
Heidi Schneider – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
Becky Streff – North Bend Central Elementary
Linda Swartz – Howard Elementary (Fremont)
Erin VanZee – Ashland Park Robbins Elementary (Omaha)
Valerie Vandenberg – East Butler Public Schools (Brainard)
Julie Walling – Crestridge Elementary (Omaha)
Susan Wait – Beatrice Elementary (Beatrice)
Kelci Wood – St. Cecillia School (Omaha)
Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom provides free educational resources, lesson plans and programs to help teachers incorporate agriculture into classroom instruction while meeting state educational standards. Educators can learn more about the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions program and available classroom resources through the Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Toolkit.