Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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APPROVED BILLS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL Acco Brands USA LLC, sup, 489.48; AKRS - Neligh, rep to mower deck, 715.61; Amazon Capital Services, Inc., sup, 10,805.44; Antelope Memorial Hospital, transportation physicals, 430.00; Ashley Shaffer, second sem 25-26 mileage, 1,392.00; ASAP Express, water sample delivery, 60.00; Birch, Jacob B, spring 26 mileage, 2,704.25; Black Hills Energy, nat gas, 318.25; Blick Art Materials, sup, 1,071.88; BSN Sports, LLC, sup, 62.64; Bud’s Sanitary Service, LLC, trash serv, 2,516.00; Capital One Bk(USA), NA, s...
Summerland FFA students competed in multiple events at the 98th Nebraska State FFA Convention in Lincoln. "All of the kids who attended competed hard an represented our chapter well," said Jacob Goldfuss, chapter advisor. The ag sales team - Asher Whiting, Clair Krysl, Bennet Flenniken and Charlee Wagner - finished as state runners-up. Individually, Whiting and Krysl received blue ribbons; Flenniken and Wagner earned red ribbons. Flenniken also competed in the proficiency review in residential...
Hundreds of FFA members and advisors from all over Nebraska gathered in Lincoln last week for the 2026 Nebraska State FFA Convention. During the event, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation recognized two advisors whose work stands out in their schools and communities with its annual FFA Advisor of the Year award. This year's honors went to Jacob Goldfuss of Summerland Public Schools and Jessica Evans of Osmond Community Schools. They were recognized during Thursday's ceremony, each receiving a...
After a day of competition at the District 4 Livestock Judging Evaluation, the Summerland FFA senior and junior teams will advance to state in March. The Jan. 28 event, held at Northeast Community College, drew 517 contestants from 36 schools. Summerland FFA advisor Jacob Goldfuss said 12 Summerland students participated. "Everyone did extremely well and we qualified two teams for state coming up at the end of March," he said. Three members of the senior team received purple ribbons. Clair...
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Summerland FFA traveled to Osmond to compete in the District IV Leadership Development Events. "They did an outstanding job and qualified 19 members for state convention in the spring," said advisor Jacob Goldfuss. Leadership Development Events are contests that help students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and communication skills in a variety of areas, ranging from parliamentary procedure to prepared speeches on agricultural issues. The state convention will...
Parker Napier's future is as neatly trimmed as the lawns he's been mowing since age 11. The Summerland FFA standout cut through the competition at the Nebraska State FFA Convention, earning the prestigious State Star in Agribusiness and claiming the top spot in turf and landscape management-proof that his grassroots business is growing into something much bigger. Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said Napier is the first Star winner from the school. The awards were presented at the 2025... Full story
Locally-grown beef may soon be what's for dinner at Summerland Public Schools. During the Feb. 12 board of education meeting, FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss outlined programs at Sandy Creek and Thayer Central and suggested a similar setup could work here. "Parents who were interested or passionate about having locally-raised beef in their school lunches got together and agreed to seek donations," Goldfuss said. Each family in the district received a letter giving an overview of the program....
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Feb. 12, 2025 Summerland Public School Board of Education met in regular session, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in the school board meeting room. President Nate Schwager called the meeting, which was advertised in the Feb. 5, 2025, newspapers to order at 7 p.m. Schwager noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the boardroom. Roll call: Ryan Ahlers, Chelsi McLain, Nate Schwager, Scott Thiele, Austin Twibell, Jeremy Wagner. All board members present. Motion by Wagner, seconded by Thiele, to...
District 4 Leadership Development Events competition was held at Summerland Public School, Nov. 20. Thirty Summerland FFA members competed in events, which determined who will advance to the state convention. At the end of competition, one individual and two groups were crowned district champions. Sara Hemenway won discovery speaking and advances to state. Conduct of Chapter team one topped the field and will compete at the spring convention. Team members include Braelyn Bergman, Kanyon Allemang...
Shaylie Kester envisioned a future as a veterinary technician. After working as a student teller at Cornerstone Bank's Clearwater branch, the Summerland FFA member is consider a career change. "This experience opened my eyes to the world of finance and made me realize how much I enjoy working in the field of business. Now, I plan to pursue a career in something on the financial side, like ag business." Kester, who serves as the local chapter president, initially considered showing fair cattle...
Part 2 in a 3-part series As a member of a farm family, Braelyn Bergman understands the basics of agriculture, the hard work and long hours it takes for seeds to sprout into a sustainable product. This summer, through a Supervised Agricultural Experience for FFA, Bergman has developed a new appreciation for work farmers provide. Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said Bergman's project involved renting four acres of land from her dad, Ryan, and planting and raising a corn crop. Originally, Be...
Summerland FFA sent 24 members to the Area 5 range judging contest, held south of O'Neill, on Sept. 19. Advisor Jacob Goldfuss reported, "Everyone did great and learned." In the senior division, out of 102 participants, Shaylie Kester, Ethan Kester and Logan Kester placed in the top 25 and received a green ribbon. The senior division team, comprised of the three Kesters and Carter Bergman, received seventh place. In the junior division, out of 169 participants, Breckyn Bergman place 20th and...
On Sept. 12, 26 Summerland FFA members attended the West Holt range judging competition south of Atkinson. In the junior division, Breckyn Bergman placed sixth out of 236 competitors. The junior division team, comprised of Bergman, Taylen Nilson, Marlin Krysl and Savannah Gallagher placed eighth. Ethan Kester finished in the top 25 in the senior division. One hundred fourteen students competed in the division. Kester, Jenna Funk, Clair Krysl and Shaylie Kester comprised the senior division team...
For several Summerland FFA students, school never is out of session, even during summer months. Through a Supervised Agriculture Experience, FFA members are able to explore career options and learn about workplace life. Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said, "Essentially, it is some type of job or project that an FFA member should have to help them learn skills and knowledge that they can use in the classroom and in FFA contests." The sky's the limit when it comes to a job or project for an...
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln conferred 1,172 degrees during commencement exercises Dec. 15 and 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The 1,159 graduates are from 48 countries; 39 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; and more than 150 Nebraska communities. Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett presided over the ceremonies. Area residents receiving degrees include Kathryn Hawk, Ewing, College of Business, Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration; Emily Kurpgeweit, Ewing, College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of S...
District 4 Leadership Development Events were held Dec. 6 at Lutheran High Northeast. Summerland FFA advisor Jacob Goldfuss said the local chapter took took 20 members and they all did very well. "There are 20 schools in our district and each chapter can send two individuals or teams for every contest, so to get top three and make it to state is quite hard," Goldfuss said. In addition to the two teams in the photos, several individuals qualifed or will be an alternate for state. Jenna Funk got...
Madison Melcher turned her story into FFA history. The 2022 Summerland Public School graduate is the first FFA chapter member to receive the American FFA Degree, according to advisor Jacob Goldfuss. Melcher made the historic walk across the stage, Nov. 4, at the 2023 National Convention, in Indianapolis, during the awards ceremony. "I am honored to be the first FFA American Degree recipient from Summerland FFA. I am so grateful that Mr. Goldfuss pushed me to apply. He was always there if I had...
Members of Summerland Public School's FFA chapter got first-hand experience in forestry, Monday, Oct. 2. Students added 10 new trees to school property, near the FFA corn test plot and track-and-field areas. The trees are part of the Ten Free Trees Progam, an effort of the Nebraska Forest Service and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. James Ramold, Ewing village chairman and a school employee, applied for the grant. Ramold, along with instructor Jacob Goldfuss, assisted students with planting....
Bennet Flenniken's entrepreneurial spirit shined early in him, when at age 9, he started washing golf carts. Now, he details much larger vehicles at his Clearwater Main Street business named Shiny Solutions. His decision to open his detailing business has proven profitable, but his real gains will come if his FFA supervised agricultural experience application awards him the champion of his proficiency area, winning a plaque, a cash prize and berth at nationals. Jacob Goldfuss, Summlerand's...
Bennet Flenniken's entrepreneurial spirit shined early in him, when at age 9, he started washing golf carts. Now, he details much larger vehicles at his Clearwater Main Street business named Shiny Solutions. His decision to open his detailing business has proven profitable, but his real gains will come if his FFA supervised agricultural experience application awards him the champion of his proficiency area, winning a plaque, a cash prize and berth at nationals. Jacob Goldfuss, Summlerand's...
Corn in the Summerland FFA test plot was sky high by the Fourth of July. Some of the rows shot toward the sun, towering over other varieties. The chapter's test plot program, in its second year, is in a new location. Landowner Bob Napier said the plot now sits on the west side of the school, near the football team's practice field. "Signs will go up in August," Napier said. FFA students, along with advisor Jacob Goldfuss, ventured to the area on April 24, meeting with representatives from...
Summerland FFA Chapter members earned multiple awards at the 2023 FFA State Convention in Lincoln, March 29 - 31....
Ask Braelyn Bergman what she wants to be when she grows up and she isn't shy about answering the question. "As I get older, I want to become a cattle breeder and breed analyst, which also includes artificial insemination technician," the seventh-grade student at Summerland Public Schools said. Bergman has been involved in 4-H for a number of years, showing cattle at the Antelope County Fair. This year, she joined the Summerland FFA Chapter, hoping to enhance her knowledge of agriculture. She joi...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Dec. 14, 2022 Summerland Public School Board of Education held a regular meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the school. President Ed Nordby called the meeting, which was advertised in the Dec. 7, 2022, newspapers to order at 5:46 p.m. Board members present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steven Thiele and Jeremy Wagner. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Motion by Thiele, seconded by Hoke, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting aye:...
A fresh crop of introduction to ag students from Summerland School were all ears, Friday afternoon, as they visited the corn hybrid test plot, planted in April, north of the school. Six companies planted 24 seed varieties, April 22, on land owned and farmed by Bob Napier. Todd Weber, from Pioneer Seed Company, along with Aaron Hoke and Austin Twibell, representing H & T Seed & Technology, in Orchard, gave students an overview of crops planted. "There's a lot of things farmers like Bob have to co...
