2002 - Dick Mercer, Kearney
Nebraska native and has been active in the National Cattlemen's Association and the Nebraska Livestock Feeder's Association. He also has served on the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.Has been recognized as the Nebraska Cattlemen of the Year and the Director of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. He also has received the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award, the Public Service to Agriculture Award from the Nebraska Land Improvement Contractors Association and was a regional winner and national finalist for the National Cattlemen Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award.
Mercer and his wife, Eileen, began farming in 1949, ultimately expanding an 80-acre farm to more than 3,000 acres of cropland and a 3,000-head feedlot.
2001 - Allen Blezek, Lincoln
An Iowa native, has held many positions in NU';s Institute of Agriculture in Natural Resources. He has been a professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication since 1987, served as the department's head from 1992-1995, served as director of the Center for Leadership Development from 1989-1995 and was president of the Faculty Senate in 1986 and 1987.
He also serves as president of the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc. and the executive director of the Nebraska Leadership Education/Action Development program. Blezek's honors and awards include: the first Allen Blezek Friend of LEAD Award, the Nebraska Vocational Agriculture Association's Distinguished Service Award to Agricultural Education, Nebraska FFA Association's Eagle Award and the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award.
2000 - Martin Massengale, Lincoln
Massengale a Kentucky native came to Nebraska as vice chancellor of NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1976. He was chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1981?1991, interim president of the NU system from 1989?1991 and university system president from 1991?1994. He has directed IANR's Center for Grassland Studies in Lincoln since 1994.
Massengale, an agronomist, has been president of the Crop Science Society of America. His many honors and awards include: American Society of Agronomy Outstanding Service Award, Agricultural Builders of Nebraska Distinguished Service Award, Nebraska Agribusiness Club Public Service to Agriculture Award and the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award. In 1993, Massengale was a Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honoree.Former director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture and executive vice president, University of Nebraska Foundation.
1999 - Cheryl Stubbendieck, Lincoln
Farm Bureau.
1998 - Chuck Schroder,
Former director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture and executive vice president, University of Nebraska Foundation.1997 - Bob Gingry
Retired Farmland Industries, past president, NAC, former vo. ag. instructor and friend of agriculture.1996 - The late Leonard Fleischer
Founder of Fleischer Manufacturing Company in Columbus, Nebraska. A pioneer in developing minimum/conservation tillage farm equipment.
1995 - Elaine Stuhr, Bradshaw, NE
1994 - Larry Siztman, Lincoln, NE
1993 - Willard Waldo, DeWitt, NE
1992 - Lester Larson, Lincoln, NE
1991 - Virginia Smith, Sidney, NE
1990 - Elvin Frolik, Lincoln, NE
1989 - Earl Monahan, Hyannis, NE
1987 - Clayton Yeutter, Eustis, NE
1986 - Warren Nielson, Omaha, NE
1984 - Glenn LeDioyt, Omaha, NE
1983 - Don Hovendick, Herman, NE
1982 - Loran Schmit, Bellwood, NE
1981 - Clare Porter, Lincoln, NE
1980 - Max Brown, Lexington, NE