District 44 forum set for NCTA

CURTIS, Nebraska -- Candidates vying for the Nebraska Legislature's District 44 seat will share their stances on state government issues affecting agriculture and education at a public forum Tues., March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center on the NCTA campus in Curtis.

District 44 serves 10 counties in southwestern Nebraska. The candidate forum is hosted by the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture's Collegiate Farm Bureau, with co-sponsor Frontier County Farm Bureau.

State Senator Mark Christensen of Imperial is term-limited and ineligible to seek re-election. Three candidates filing for a post are: Dennis Berry, principal of McCook Junior High School and mayor of McCook, Dan Hughes, rural Venango ag producer and active in the state and national wheat industry, and Steve Stroup, rural Benkelman ag producer and owner/operator of a medical coding small business. Berry is unable to attend.

NCTA's Farm Bureau club is coordinating the event with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation to give students a first-hand view of the political process and to help registered voters gain information about the individuals seeking to represent the 44th Legislative District, said Brad Ramsdale, Ph.D, NCTA assistant professor of agronomy and Farm Bureau Club advisor.

"Issues affecting agricultural producers and the industry span taxes and personal property regulations, to natural resources and water policy funding," Dr. Ramsdale noted. "It is vital for NCTA students to be aware of all facets of public policy, while providing an important community service."

Collegiate Farm Bureau members on campus meet monthly, and joined other Nebraskans in early December at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Kearney, as well as some participating in the Young Farmers & Ranchers conference in late January at Grand Island. "The forum is one more avenue for students to interact with agricultural producers and the industry, and serve in leadership roles in campus life," Dr. Ramsdale added.

The top two candidates emerging from each of the non-partisan Legislative primary races May 13 will advance to the general election Nov. 4. The public is invited to attend the free forum in the Ed Center's auditorium, located near University Street and Siminoe Avenue. Parking is north of the building.

Bryan Loker, general manager of McCook's KICX-FM 96.1, will serve as forum moderator. The station plans to broadcast the forum on the following day. Additional information is available from NCTA Collegiate Farm Bureau by contacting Dr. Ramsdale at 308-367-5225. NCTA can be found at www.ncta.unl.edu