T9N · R6E · THE JOURNAL
Field Notes
News, perspectives, and updates from the Nebraska Farmers Network.
Agriculture Only Survives When People Understand It
Nebraska Farmers Network exists to empower farmers and ranchers to preserve their legacies and build generational wealth through solutions owned by the people who work the land. You cannot do that without education, because a legacy is only as durable as the decisions that protect it, and good decisions require understanding.
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The Food System Wasn't Designed With You in Mind. Local Food Was.
The food system wasn’t built with your health or community in mind, but local food was. From better flavor and nutrition to keeping more of your dollar in the local economy, buying local is one of the simplest ways to take back control of what you eat and support the farmers who grow it.
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Farmers and Ranchers Feed the World. USDA Data Shows They Keep Less Than 6 Cents on the Dollar.
Farmers and ranchers received 5.8 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States last year. The other 94 cents went to processing, packaging, transportation, wholesaling, and retail. Every step between the farm and your table takes another cut. USDA data breaks down exactly where your food dollar goes, what it means for Nebraska producers, and what a different model looks like.
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Who is the Next Generation in Agriculture?
The average U.S. farmer is 58 years old, but a new generation is already stepping in. However, they’re up against real barriers. At Nebraska Farmers Network, we’re working to keep land in producers’ hands, support the next generation, and strengthen the future of agriculture.
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The Restaurant Depot Buyout: Why Big Food Distribution Is Failing Nebraska Farms
Nebraska produces some of the nation’s top agricultural commodities, yet much of our food system is controlled by large distributors. In light of the recent Sysco acquisition of Restaurant Depot, we raise the question: is the big food industry serving producers?
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Rotational Grazing and Stewardship of Nebraska Grasslands
Nebraska’s cattle industry depends on healthy grasslands. With more than 24 million acres of rangeland across the state, how producers manage grazing today plays a major role in the future of Nebraska agriculture. Rotational grazing improves soil health, strengthens drought resilience, and builds more sustainable operations.
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Profit vs. Purpose: The Future of Nebraska Land
Nebraska land is gaining attention from outside investors, but its true value goes far beyond returns. From strong infrastructure and reliable water to deep-rooted communities and generational stewardship, this land tells a bigger story.
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What Every Heir Should Know When Inheriting Farmland
Inheriting farmland is rarely simple. It requires preparation, emotional awareness, and a clear understanding of your options. If you’re facing a transition now or expect one in the future, we have tips to guide you through this process and help you find the best outcome.
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Nebraska Land: A Legacy Worth Protecting.
The agriculture industry is deeply embedded in Nebraska communities and local culture. To multi-generational farmers and ranchers, the land they live and work on means much more than just an asset. Instead, it represents their life and family legacy. Yet many outside buyers do not see Nebraska land through that lens. Instead, it is viewed primarily as a financial asset, valued for its return potential rather than its role in sustaining families, tenants, and rural communities.
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Building Momentum: How NFN and Consumer Title Are Expanding Together.
Through our partnership with Consumer Title and Escrow, we are able to explore growth opportunities for both organizations. Read about expansion plans for Consumer Title and Escrow in 2026 and more.
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Member Feature: Lutt Farms
For our December Newsletter, we are excited to feature one of our member families, the Lutt family! For more than a century, Lutt Farms has grown from a small family operation into a diversified, multi-generation business rooted in agriculture.
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The Great Wealth Transfer: Agriculture’s Silent Threat.
There is a major shift on the horizon for the agriculture industry, one that goes far beyond market trends or commodity prices. As Baby Boomer farmers and ranchers prepare to pass on land and assets, millions in agricultural wealth are at risk without proper planning. Learn how communication, preparation, and strategic planning can protect family legacies and keep agricultural land in the hands of those who work it.
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Member Feature: Vern Terrell
We are excited to feature one of our members, Vern Terrell! Vern is a second-generation farmer and rancher in Hay Springs, Nebraska. Alongside his wife Marjean, son Brock, and daughter-in-law Heidi, Vern operates Terrell Farms and Terrell Ranches, a diversified cow-calf, feedlot, and farming enterprise.
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