The Engler Journey

Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Katelyn Plambeck! She is a motiviated member of our program who is excited to give back to farmers and ranchers through rural law, while also being creative. Katelyn has side businesses with pottery and sewing and loves doing projects for her customers because of how much they enjoy the finished product! Tune into see what project Katelyn is excit...

"Whether we are working cattle, showing horses or going on trail rides we really enjoy all of it." Sarah has always enjoyed the view looking through the ears of a good horse. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Sarah Treffer! She loves the western way of life and has been involved in her family business ever since she was little. After graduation she has plans to bring back new idea...

"You should not work your week for the weekend; my work is my play!" Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Lauren Balcom! Through her business she wants to create a place where people can gather around good food and good fun. She loves the fact that she is surrounded by inspirational people that continue to build her up. Tune into this episode to hear why Lauren chose to come to the U...

"This community was the first community I walked into and felt like I didn't need to change." Bethany has been empowered through the Engler program to grow into the person she is today and chase her dreams. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler junior, Bethany Nichols! Bethany has learned so much about herself as an entrepreneur and because of her experiences she has plans to open a coffee sh...

"I just thought oh I don't need it my business isn't going to go anywhere, but for every day you wait is just another day to find an excuse." Bryson is proof of the determination Engler students have to take that next step despite the excuses we may make for ourselves. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Bryson Rader! Bryson is the owner and founder of Above Aronia where he creates...

"I love to capture every moment that you didn't know you needed" Bryn takes this message to heart when she is taking photos because she loves capturing the everyday moments that will spark a memory for someone years from now. Bryn Lampe is an Engler sophomore, and is the owner and founder of b6_media! Being from a ranch she loves sharing the story of agriculture through photography, but also has e...

" I love a good shrimp scampi!" Even though Nebraska is known as the Beef State Nebraskans just like Nolan are contining to expand the industry. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler junior Nolan Wellensiek! You may not expect to find a shrimp business in a triple land locked state but Nolan is proving doubters wrong. Through his business he is growing shrimp in his family's old hog barns, by...

"There is proof that Sam did ride a cow. I can't explain everything that happened, but we had so much fun with it!" Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Jessie Lamp! Jessie has served on the Engler communications team and has loved sharing the stories of Engler students through videography. She knows how much growth she has been given from being in this community and being pushed out...

"Our farm and ranch operation was established in 1884. I am very proud of that and our legacy." Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler sophomore, Ainsley McConnell! Ainsley is the owner and founder of Y4 Containers where she is serving the agricultural community that raised her through affordable housing. She is creating affordable houses out of shipping containers and has just sold her first...

  "I got a cheap kit from Amazon and it was probably $25. I jumped in, and I loved it!" Because of Engler Mattie pursued her dream of leather working. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Mattie Beattie! Mattie is the owner and founder of Virginaleatherco where she creates hand crafted custom leather pieces. she is a 6th generation farmer and rancher and loves sharing her passion for...

"I just fell in love with the connection that I get to build with seniors during such a special time in their lives." Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler junior, Emily Holz! Emily is the owner of Ember Creatives, capturing lifestyle and livestock photography. She loves making an impact on others and providing photos that will bring people together. Tune into this episode to discover the inc...

"It wasn't something that we necessarily asked for it was just something that we went out and did." To start a business you can't wait for the right people to come to you, you have to go to them. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Tom Ortner! Tom is a manager of RK performance horses and works with his family to breed high quality horses. He has always loved horses and wanted to br...

"Connecting with people and going out there and getting your hands dirty is really the best part." Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler junior, Zach Hirschman! He grew up in St. Paul, Nebraska on a family farm and found a love for agricultural education. He is the owner of a popcorn business and partnered with agricultural education programs where the students sell the popcorn. Tune into thi...

"I remember coming out of that class every day and Tom would have you ready to run through a brick wall!" Braden has loved his time in Engler and especially all he has learned in the Engler 101 course to grow his business. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Braden Benes! Braden grew up in Albion, Nebraska He is the owner of Benes Livestock Services LLC where he works to find the be...

"Running is the biggest sport that is the best for entrepreneurship, because there is one winner and one loser." Nate explains how running teaches you to be resilient and keep running towards your goals in entrepreneurship. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Nate Freyhof! Nate grew up on a small farm in Michigan and has found a home away from home here in Nebraska. He is the owner...

"If I was home right now, and I was wishing I was right here. What is something I wish I would do." Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler sophomore, Leah Christen! Leah grew up in Steinauer, Nebraska as the 6th generation of her family ranch and has found a love for serving others in the agricultural industry. As a state FFA officer and aspiring agricultural educator she is well on her way. I...

"How is your business going? What are you excited about? What is your dream job?" Building others up and making an impact is what this weeks guest does best. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler senior, Kendall Prior! Kendall grew up around entrepreneurship because both of her parents are entrepreneurs. After cleaning houses for an entrepreneur and working as a day of coordinator at a vineya...

What do you get when you combine an educator, business owner, and an artist? Educating people about agriculture and mowing lawns in an artistic way is what this weeks guest does best. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler junior, Carson Mau! Carson grew up in Sutton, Nebraska and saw an opportunity to bring his lawn mowing business to life. He loves providing a service for people in his commu...

Good food is one thing that we can all agree on, and brings us together. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler sophomore, Reagan Choat! He has started his own direct to consumer pork business and wants to make an impact on others through good quality food. Reagan has loved getting involved in Engler and  the summer build program really helped him get started. He has always enjoyed agriculture...

Pretty Little Liars and sheep? What a combo! Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler Senior KaytLynn Lemely! She has created her own business that helps keep sheep hair looking its best for the show ring. KaytLynn sews leg wraps in different colors for exhibitors who want to take their lambs hair to the next level. Outside of her business KaytLynn has found a love of communicating agriculture a...

"Ever since I was little in pigtails I wanted to own a business downtown. I wanted to have a place where people could come together." Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming recent Engler graduate, Vickie Ference! She grew up in Ord, Nebraska and fell in love with the pork industry and feeding the community she cares about. Vickie has such a compassionate spirit and has led many young people in agricu...

 "Loved the small town life and being able to bike everywhere as a kid having freedom in a rural place." Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming recent Engler graduate, Sam Otte! He grew up in York, Nebraska and fell in love with small communities and the people that live in them. Through his experience at UNL and in the Engler program he decided to take his love for small communities and work to make...

"She didn't want to be on a halter and she would just drag me when we would try to practice. It was the first time I was really challenged by a cow." This challenge provided Allison with the chance to see her hardwork pay off and continue to grow as a leader. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler Senior Allison Walbrecht! She grew up leading cattle across Nebraska and has transfered those ski...

"I really wanted to be there for a lot of these incoming students who maybe got a little homesick. Because I was them my freshman year."  Allison has so many fond memories from being a Trail Guide, learning so much from the students, and especially going to Virgina's Cafe! Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler Senior, Allison Carpenter! She just graduated is now working at PowerPollen in Ames...

"Even if you are a student and you don't know me I do know you. I work to highlight you and share the stories of our entreprenuers." Because of Jillian many powerful memories live on forever. Join Olivia Vanderford in welcoming Engler Senior, Jillian Buell! She just graduated majoring in Advertising and Public Relations and served Engler by being a member of the Communications Team. Jillian has le...