Nebraska LEAD Program

On the journey from Évora to Seville, Chandler Maly and Lily Ziehmer reflect on a visit to an Iberian hog operation, seeing the full production cycle and how natural resources and time-intensive systems create a premium product. Another example of how agriculture looks different—and familiar—around the world.

LEAD 43 Fellows Amy Warner and McKinley Harm share highlights from a visit to Portugal’s Alqueva Dam, a massive project reshaping irrigation, energy generation and agricultural production in the Alentejo region. From olives and almonds to renewable energy and water management, this stop showed how long-term infrastructure investments support rural communities and food production.

Nebraska LEAD 43 Fellows Brennan Costello and Bobby Reifenrath take us inside a cork processing factory in Portugal, where a natural product supports farmers, global supply chains and industries far beyond wine. Another look at how agriculture, value-added processing and markets connect on the international stage.

Troy Kane and Neleigh Gehl recap a LEAD 43 visit to a family-run Portuguese dairy, where local production meets international trade opportunities. Different country, familiar conversations in agriculture.