L to R: Mark Badertscher (AKRS Equipment), Larry Stauffer (Bruna Implement), Students from Johnson County Central FFA, Mike Brown (KanEquip)
[FOR RELEASE: January 9, 2024]
The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA), host of the Nebraska Ag Expo, is pleased to recognize and support the career and technical education program at Johnson County Central High School in Tecumseh, Nebraska.
“Today’s equipment industry embodies the highest level of cutting-edge technology in the world,” said Mark Hennessey, President and CEO of INEDA. “And the spectrum of technological career opportunities in the equipment industry ranges from engineering, design, manufacturing, and repairing of precision and automated equipment that is helping to feed the world. We are encouraged to see the work that Mrs. Christy Hodges and the faculty at Johnson County Central are doing to prepare students for these opportunities.”
Mrs. Hodges is instrumental in training her FFA Ag Technology & Mechanics team in Electrical Wiring, Small Engines, Hydraulics/Pneumatics, and Machinery. Beyond that, her students shared some of the life lessons they have learned through her classes:
- “Take responsibility for your actions.”
- “Always be kind and never judge a book by its cover.”
- “(You need) to work hard.”
- “I have learned everything I know about agriculture from my awesome ag teacher.”
Johnson County Central participated in the Career Exploration Event, where students shared their interests in the following careers: ag sales, farmer, precision ag specialist, and service technician for an equipment dealer.
The Career Exploration Event at the Nebraska Ag Expo focused on the various careers that equipment dealers offer. Students were joined by Nebraska equipment dealer employees who escorted them through the Nebraska Ag Expo with stops at exhibitor booths and shared career opportunities, including scholarships and apprenticeships, to equip them to work with cutting-edge technology in agriculture. The lack of available workers is having a profound impact on the equipment industry with an estimated 350-400 job openings at Nebraska’s equipment dealerships alone.
Equipment Dealers in the Lincoln Northeast School area joined staff from INEDA in congratulating Mrs. Hodges and the Johnson County Central faculty on their award including: AKRS Equipment, Bruna Implement, KanEquip, True Ag and Turf.
For more information about the Nebraska Ag Expo or the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, visit https://ineda.com/