LEAD XXVIII Travels to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

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LINCOLN, Neb. -- Twenty-nine Nebraska LEAD XXVIII Fellows recently returned from the 2010 International Study/Travel Seminar to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. "This seminar is designed to provide first-hand appreciation and understanding of our international community and the potential for people of all nations to work together," said Terry Hejny, Nebraska LEAD Program Director and group leader. During the Jan. 8-21 seminar, LEAD Fellows attended briefings at American embassies and met with American business, agricultural trade and commodity groups. Additionally, LEAD Fellows were able to observe agricultural production with visits to farms, along with briefings at agricultural research centers and universities. "When I first learned last September that our LEAD group was traveling to the Baltic States in January for our international study/travel seminar, I was a little disappointed as I thought there would not be much to see or experience other than the cold and snow," said LEAD Fellow Joan Ruskamp of Dodge. "However, that thought was only correct in that there was cold and snow. Little did I know that the two weeks of study and travel in the Baltic States would provide me with many new friends, a greater appreciation for the freedom and opportunities that we have in the United States of America, a respect for smaller countries trying to compete in the global economy, and the increased confidence in myself to ask questions." The Nebraska LEAD program teaches and encourages Fellows to ask questions, Ruskamp said. When she asked Estonia U.S. Ambassador Michael Polt about the possibility of marketing Nebraska beef to Estonia, he was supportive and enthusiastic, she said. "It was a refreshing surprise. That one experience has taught me that you cannot allow current government policy to limit the quest to create change and that one must be bold enough to seek those opportunities," Ruskamp said. "Our visit to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a great experience, and I thank the Nebraska LEAD Program for providing me this opportunity." LEAD XXVIII Fellows that participated were: Tony Anderson, Alma; Bryan Barrett, Gering; Beau Bearnes, Central City; Jess Brandes, Central City; Brian Brown, Central City; Greg Feather, Gothenburg; Paul Gangwish, Shelton; C. Gigi Gardner, Gordon; Jamie Graham, Alliance; Kevin Griess, Lincoln; Lindsey Hackel, Omaha; Sarah Heidzig-Kraeger, Falls City; Terry Horky, Sargent; Taia Huls, Minatare; Sheryl Kastanek, Crete; Stacey Korte, Omaha; Darren Nelson, St. Edward; Ernie Newquist, Aurora; Shannon Peterson, Gothenburg; Ward Reesman, Omaha; Ron Rose, Aurora; Linda Schwarz, Bertrand; Jeff Shaner, Ft. Calhoun; Leslie Simonsen, Shickley; Martey Stewart, Dixon; Steve Tippery, Gretna; Al Vybiral, Wahoo; and Megan Williams, Ohiowa. The Nebraska LEAD Program includes men and women, currently active in production agriculture and agribusiness and is a two-year leadership development program under the direction of the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, in cooperation with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information, or to request an application for Nebraska LEAD XXX, contact the Nebraska LEAD Program, 318 Biochemistry Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0763 or call (402) 472-6810. The application deadline is June 15.