Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association Awards $88,500 in Scholarships to 66 Students

The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA) is pleased to share that it has awarded $88,500 in scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year to 66 students in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming pursuing careers in Iowa and Nebraska equipment dealerships.

“Diesel technology has always been at the forefront of my life,” said Kristopher Hadeen, a scholarship recipient from Haxtun High School in Holyoke, Colorado. Hadeen plans to enroll in the John Deere Tech program at Southeast Community College (SCC) in Milford, Nebraska and pursue a service technician career at 21st Century Equipment.

Through the INEDA Andrew Goodman Scholarship, Hadeen received $1,500 toward his education, with 21st Century Equipment matching that amount for a total of $3,000.

In the John Deere Tech program at SCC, Hadeen will learn the skills needed to become a John Deere dealership technician who works on engines, power trains, hydraulic systems, electrical and electronics, air conditioning diagnosis and repair, tillage, planting, spraying, and harvesting equipment. During training, he will work at his sponsoring dealership between semesters.

Hadeen is one of 66 students who received the INEDA Andrew Goodman Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year. In total, INEDA awarded $88,500 this year to help train those aspiring mainly toward service technician positions within the dealership.

“It’s always a highlight of my year to make the phone call to our future and existing employees to let them know they were chosen as a recipient,” said Deanna Hagen of LandMark Implement. “These funds help reduce the financial burden for these students and puts them in less debt than their peers.”

“Scholarship offerings are key for our business to demonstrate to potential employees that we’re invested in their future and we’re willing to help them reach their professional goals,” said Leah Orr of Manzer Equipment. “It oftentimes leads to a more well-rounded workforce and in turn, allows us to retain the very best employees. These individuals are engaged at work and in our community. Engagement in both are necessary for each to flourish and provide for generations to come.”

The shortage of service technicians isn’t a new problem facing the farm equipment industry—but it continues to have a significant financial impact on dealerships. The Andrew Goodman Scholarship program was created in 2008 to address the technician shortage and help dealers attract and nurture homegrown talent. Since 2008, INEDA has awarded more than $745,000 to 648 students through the program.

“INEDA—along with our members—takes great pride in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations,” said INEDA President/CEO Mark Hennessey. “Their education lays the foundation to many career possibilities. Seeing their dreams come to life is a very rewarding experience for all of us.”

The Andrew Goodman Scholarship is available to all employees/potential employees of INEDA dealerships. This year, the following dealers provided matching awards: 21st Century Equipment, AKRS Equipment, Bancroft Implement, Bobcat of Omaha, Bodensteiner Implement Company, Butler Ag Equipment, Cove Equipment, Deike Implement, Deitering Brothers, Franzen Sales and Service, Geneva Implement, KanEquip, LandMark Implement, Manzer Equipment, Mitchell Equipment, Platte Valley Equipment, Sinclair Tractor, Titan Machinery, Van Wall Equipment, and Vans Implement.

“The Andrew Goodman Scholarship program has helped AgriVision Equipment recognize high school senior students who have an interest in the ag equipment and technology industry,” said Todd Barker of AgriVision Equipment Group. “It is a vital tool to make young recruits into professionals who impact the success of our customers.”

Titan Machinery provided matching scholarships for 13 students this academic year.

“Titan Machinery is a proud member of the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association,” said Dave McCarthy of Titan Machinery. “The Andrew Goodman Scholarship assists Titan Machinery in financially supporting our student technicians as they begin their pursuit of higher education. The learning of mechanical and applied skills is the foundation to a service technician’s future success. The contributions made by the Andrew Goodman Scholarship is another tool student technicians can use as they work toward becoming some of Titan Machinery’s greatest assets.”

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a scholarship:

Pictured above: Some of the 2023-2024 Andrew Goodman Scholarship recipients, including (left) Riley Adams with 21st Century Equipment, (middle) Jason Deike with Deike Implement, (top right) Grant Lisec with KanEquip, and (bottom right) Kayden Porter with 21st Century Equipment.