KEARNEY, NEB. – Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) has announced the ten farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals selected for the 2026 Leadership Academy. The group begins its year-long program in January.
The 2026 class will approach the year with a focus on building practical leadership skills. “This program gives members real experience in leadership and advocacy, preparing them to step into roles that strengthen Farm Bureau and their communities. Throughout the year, they gain a clearer understanding of the issues facing agriculture and learn how to speak up in ways that make a meaningful difference,” said Audrey Schipporeit, NEFB’s director of leadership development.
Throughout the year, participants will take part in sessions on leadership development, Farm Bureau’s county, state, and national structure, key policy issues in agriculture, and the importance of agricultural literacy. The class will also travel to Lincoln and Washington, D.C. to meet with elected officials and agency staff.
“This class represents a group of passionate, committed individuals who are ready to make a real difference in their communities and across Nebraska. We’re proud to recognize their achievement and can’t wait to see all they accomplish. Congratulations to the 2026 Leadership Academy class,” Schipporeit said.
These ten members have been selected for the 2026 Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy:
Isaac Brunkow is a member of Clay County Farm Bureau. He grew up in Northeastern Kansas and was involved in Farm Bureau before moving to Nebraska. He is now the sheep operations manager at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and takes great pride in his role as a partner for industry partners.
Seth Hanna is a member of Cherry County Farm Bureau and resides near Valentine, Neb. He is a sixth-generation rancher and currently manages the family cow/calf/yearling operation. Hanna attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and spent two years living and working in Phoenix, Ariz. before returning home to his family’s ranch.
Bryce Roberts is a member of Harlan/Furnas County Farm Bureau. He grew up in Central Kansas and has been involved in production agriculture his entire life, showing sheep and cattle across multiple states and competing in livestock judging at the collegiate level. After receiving a degree in feed science from Kansas State University, Roberts relocated to South-Central Nebraska, where he works as a grain merchandiser for Ag Valley Co-op. He is passionate about supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders, coaches a local FFA livestock judging team, and judges livestock at county fairs throughout Kansas and Nebraska.
Matthew Bloss is a member of Pawnee County Farm Bureau and farms near Pawnee City, Neb. He and his family have farmed for 25 years and have owned and operated a small business for 15 years.
Ellen Schmidt is a member of Thayer County Farm Bureau and resides near Deshler, Neb. She and her husband, Andy, raise corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, and a 75-head commercial Simmental-Angus herd with a small feedlot. They are the fifth generation to live on the family farm and are raising their four children there. Schmidt is active in her community and church, serving in leadership roles on various boards and organizations.
McKinley Wilson is a member of Saunders County Farm Bureau and was raised on her family’s row crop farm north of Yutan, Neb. Growing up, she was active in 4-H, showing horses, cattle, and pigs. She earned her law degree from Creighton University and now practices as a business attorney in Omaha, while remaining involved in her family’s farming operation and agricultural lime business. McKinley is also active in her community, serving on the boards of the Saunders County Agricultural Society and the Saunders County Fair Foundation.
Ariel Gartner is a member of Johnson County Farm Bureau and works as a sales associate for Farm Bureau Financial Services in Tecumseh, Neb. She received an agribusiness degree with a focus in animal science from Southeast Community College. Gartner lives on a farm with her husband and two kids, and enjoys spending time with her horses, dogs, and chickens.
Travis Runge is a member of Colfax County Farm Bureau and lives near Schuyler, Neb. Travis works full-time as a fertilizer, chemical, and seed dealer and raises 475 acres of corn and soybeans.
Carter Smith is a member of Polk County Farm Bureau. He grew up on a row crop farm south of Shelby, Neb., raising corn and soybeans, and more recently, seed corn. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he also played football. Smith briefly interned at Farm Bureau before taking an internship with Senator Deb Fischer’s office in Washington, D.C. He returned to Nebraska to work on the family farm and to work for Congressman Mike Flood, focusing on agriculture policy and constituent casework.
Micah Erickson is a member of Johnson County Farm Bureau and lives with his wife, Averi, in Lincoln. He is originally from Sterling, Neb. Erickson grew up working on his family farm, where he is still involved today. The operation includes roughly 1,000 acres of row crops along with several custom farming services. Having previously raised hogs, they have since transitioned out of that enterprise and now raise chickens for Smart Chicken in Tecumseh.
