Hank Robinson
As Nebraska’s farmers bring in the harvest, it’s a reminder of the vital role agriculture plays in shaping our communities, economy and future. Built on generations of hard work, our state’s producers are key to ensuring a prosperous and sustainable agricultural legacy. It’s essential that their innovation and dedication are recognized and fully rewarded. That’s exactly why the Aksarben Foundation created the Full Value Agriculture initiative.
Launched in 2023, the initiative aims to connect Nebraska’s sustainably produced commodities with growing global market demand. Our mission is simple but critical: to ensure Nebraska’s agriculture is seen as the most sustainable ag supply chain in the world. Full Value Agriculture’s efforts focus on helping producers achieve economic profitability through sustainable practices and recognizing Nebraska as a leader in agricultural innovation.
As we celebrate our first year, I’m excited to share the progress we’ve made with the help of ag leaders across the state and our plans to further empower Nebraska’s producers.
Laying the foundation: Milestones from year one
The foundation of Full Value Agriculture was laid in Kearney, Nebraska, at the Governor’s Agricultural and Economic Development Summit in August 2023. At that summit, Full Value Agriculture was introduced as an initiative that would serve as a bridge between Nebraska producers and the global demand for sustainable commodities. Since then, we’ve been hard at work ensuring our vision becomes a reality.
One of the most significant accomplishments that we were a part of came in August 2024 when Gov. Pillen secured $307 million in federal funding through the state’s Priority Climate Action Plan and Implementation Grant application. This funding will provide vital resources to producers as they adopt sustainable agricultural practices and continue to contribute to Nebraska’s leadership in the agricultural sector. The collaborative effort involved leaders from agricultural organizations across the state, and we’re proud to have played a role in defining the strategy and securing these funds.
But our work didn’t stop at securing funding. Throughout the past year, we’ve engaged in critical discussions about the future of Nebraska’s agriculture. In December 2023, we convened agricultural leaders from across the state to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our producers. The conversations focused on how best to position Nebraska’s agriculture for long-term success in a rapidly changing world.
Additionally, we traveled to communities like Alliance and North Platte in early 2024 with members of the governor’s team to gather public input on Nebraska’s climate action plan. These discussions helped shape a comprehensive strategy for our state’s agricultural and energy needs, ensuring that the voices of Nebraska’s producers were at the forefront of our efforts.
Vision for the future
As we move into our second year, the future of Full Value Agriculture is bright. We’re dedicated to continuing our mission to support Nebraska’s producers through four key pathways:
- Economic Profitability for Sustainable Practices: By identifying strategies that align with global demand, we aim to ensure that producers benefit financially from their innovative practices.
- Statewide Outreach: We’ll continue to engage with agricultural leaders and stakeholders across Nebraska to ensure Full Value Agriculture’s initiatives are responsive to the needs of our producers.
- Ag Market Intelligence: Through “FVA Insights,” our LinkedIn platform, we’ll provide market intelligence on the latest trends in sustainable agriculture, keeping producers informed and ahead of the curve.
- Ag Advocacy: We will remain a voice for Nebraska’s producers, advocating for policies that protect the agricultural industry and promote sustainability.
The path forward is clear. Nebraska is uniquely positioned to lead the world in sustainable agriculture, and Full Value Agriculture is here to support the producers that will make that happen. Our producers deserve recognition and fair compensation for their hard work, and we’re committed to partnering with them to ensure that happens.
As we look to 2025 and beyond, we invite all Nebraskans to join us in celebrating the achievements of our state’s producers and supporting the work that lies ahead. Together, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Nebraska’s agriculture.
As the crops come in from the field, and producers are preparing for winter, we thank every producer who has contributed to the legacy of Nebraska’s agricultural success. We are proud to be in your corner.