By Russell Shaffer
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources will host a Heuermann Lecture on Sept. 22 with Mike Johanns, former U.S. secretary of agriculture. Johanns, who also served as governor of Nebraska and as a U.S. senator, will take part in a fireside chat and panel discussion on rural vitality, agricultural innovation and Nebraska’s future.
The lecture will take place at 3 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive. A reception will follow at 4:30 p.m.
After serving as Nebraska’s governor from 1999-2005, Johanns became the U.S. secretary of agriculture under President George W. Bush. He served in that role until 2008, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving on committees focused on agriculture, among other areas. Today he acts as a strategic adviser for Avalo, an ag tech company aimed at using artificial intelligence to improve crop production.
“Nebraska is an agricultural powerhouse,” Johanns said. “We are blessed with abundant natural resources, coupled with hardworking, innovative producers. The cow-calf ranchers in western Nebraska produce the world’s best beef. Our row crop farmers have perfected their corn and soybean crops in a way that is world-class. The story continues with all other producers, from pork to popcorn and everything in between.
Source : unl.edu