Professional Development
Agricultural educators know that preparing the next generation for Nebraska’s largest industry is a responsibility that requires them to be at the top of their game. Sharpen your skills as a professional, increase your knowledge of advances in agriculture, and expand your ability to make a difference by participating in professional development opportunities!
Categories
Agriculture includes vast and diverse topics! Search here for professional development by category, to explore areas of specific interest to you.
PDWs: View Archived Professional Development Webinars
Tip: When viewing a video, click the small gear icon in the bottom-right of the video player to select a higher quality stream.
- AET Help Videos – AET Help Videos
- Ag Biotechnology CDE – January, 2023. Overview of the Ag Biotechnology CDE, with Leah Sandall. Video here. Resources here.
- Ag Communication CDE update – Walk through the 2022 Ag Communications State CDE with Dr. Taylor Ruth. View the recording here. Updated video for 2023 NE Ag Comm CDE here.
- Agriscience CDE update – 2024 CDE overview for the Agriscience CDE, including rules and study resources. Google slides. Link to recorded webinar here.
- Ag Mechanics CDE update – 2022 CDE overview of the Ag Mechanics State CDE. Link to recorded webinar here.
- Ag Sales CDE – Overview of the 2023 Ag Sales CDE. Watch the recording here. Resources here.
- Carbon curriculum, presented by Tallgrass Leading Energy Solutions – overview of curricular resources, including Nebraska-specific lesson plans aligned to AFNR standards, National Agriculture in the Classroom lesson plans, and student readers that highlight the advantages and disadvantages of carbon. Recording link here. Slides here.
- Environmental and Natural Resources CDE – Walk through the CDE itself and review resources for the 2023 State CDE. Video here. Power Point here.
- 2022 State FFA Convention webinar – All your questions answered, as you prepare for the NE State FFA Convention, 2022. Recording link here. Powerpoint with links found here!
- Farm and Ag Business Management CDE Pilot Team Event – YouTube link (2022) for here.
- Farm to School webinar – Discover Farm2School opportunities in the classrooms, cafeterias, and communities, including working with tribal partners. Farm2School video. Farm2School slides
- Food Science CDE update – Updates as you prepare for the 2022 State CDE. YouTube link for Food Science.
- Greenhouse Spring Planning webinar – Spring Greenhouse Prep Webinar – York Middle/High School Ag Ed Instructors Rachelle Staehr and Jason Hirschfeld discuss best practices in spring greenhouse planning. Topics include determining plant needs, ordering plugs, greenhouse maintenance, best practices and tricks of the trade! Greenhouse Spring Planning. Google slides
- Guide Conference webinar – What if you redesigned your classroom approach so that students took ownership of their learning, they were motivated by failure, and they creatively pursued their purpose in life? When the entrepreneurial mindset is infused into education, all of these things are possible. Ann Dvorak shares information about Guide – an Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Conference for educators. Webinar recording Guide slides
- Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE – coaching guide geared primarily toward 4-H judges, presented by Briana Buseman (2022). Recording link here.
- Meat Evaluation and Technology CDE Update – Review the steps in the CDE process as you prepare for the 2022 Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE, presented by Briana Buseman. Recorded webinar link here!
- Mental Health webinar – Promoting mental health and well-being of students is everyone’s goal in education. Presented by Cheryl Kreikemeier from ESU 2, learn the basics of how to create a safe and supportive classroom by bringing mental health into the room while fostering social-emotional competencies. Recording link here.
- Nebraska World Food Prize – Hear from Renee Donner to learn more about two options to participate in the 2023 Nebraska World Food Prize. View the recording here. Additional information – PowerPoint, information sheet, and resources.
- Parliamentary Procedure – Dr. Daniel Foster’s video session
- School-Based Enterprises – Instructors David Gibbens (West Holt) and Craig Flaming (Randolph) discuss best practices in School Based Enterprises. Recording link here.
- State Convention Best Practices – Join Melissa Bonifas for a “been there, done that” overview as you prepare for the NE State FFA Convention, including communication, student schedules, working with chaperones, managing students and activities during convention, and dealing with the unexpected. Recording here.
- State Fair Overview – Review of NE State Fair procedures (2024). Recording link here.
- Teacher Retirement Advice – Review of advise for teachers, to assist in making good decisions for a strong retirement plan (2022). Recording link here.
Professional Development Scholarships, 2025
Scholarships for Professional Development completed during the summer months. Funds can be used to pay for 50% of any PD registration costs OR 50% of equipment costs. Only ONE Foundation will be awarded and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. (Online application available
- 2025 Nebraska FFA Foundation PD Scholarship (up to $500) Online application here
- 2025 Soybean Checkoff Scholarship (up to $1750) Online application here
- Farm Credit Services of America – $2,000 scholarship available FCSA Grant information and application
Calendar
Excellence in Ag Sciences Day- Date TBA, May 2025
Nebraska Extension- UNLLocation: TBA Cost: $0 Host organization: Nebraska Extension - University of Nebraska-Lincoln Register: TBA
Technical Skill Workshops (STS and PST)- Summer 2025 TBA
Location: Various locations TBA Cost: FREE Host organization: Nebraska Department of Education CTE, Nebraska Community Colleges & University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department Register: TBA Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Eric Knoll for graduate credit requirements. In collaboration with Nebraska Community Colleges and...
Plant ID and Habitat Workshops- June 3 2025
Location: Niobrara Valley Preserve, south of Johnstown, NE Cost: $0 Host organization: USDA – NRCS Register: Contact [email protected] to register Each workshop will run from roughly 9 am to 2:30 pm and cover plant identification (mostly grasslands) and habitat management and restoration practices. No cost to...
Nebraska Career Education Conference (NCE)- June 9 – 11, 2025
Location: Younes Conference Center South, Kearney, NE Cost: TBA Host organization: Nebraska Department of Education, Career and Technical Education Register: HERE. The Nebraska Career & Technical Education Conference is the premier professional development event for CTE teachers in Nebraska! The focus of the conference...
Plant ID & Habitat Workshops- June 10
Location: Platte River Prairies, Wood River, NE Cost: $0 Host organization: USDA – NRCS Register: Contact [email protected] to register Each workshop will run from roughly 9 am to 2:30 pm and cover plant identification (mostly grasslands) and habitat management and restoration practices. No cost to attend. ...
Plant ID & Habitat Workshops- August 12
Location: Platte River Prairies, Wood River, NE Cost: $0 Host organization: USDA – NRCS Register: Contact [email protected] to register Each workshop will run from roughly 9 am to 2:30 pm and cover plant identification (mostly grasslands) and habitat management and restoration practices. No cost to attend. ...
2025 Region III Conference- June 16-19, 2025
Location: Morningside University, Sioux City, Iowa Cost: TBA (Limited registration scholarship provided by the NE FFA Foundation) Host organization: National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Register: HERE.
Cultivating Ag Ed Across Content- June 16 – 20, 2025 (one or multiple days)
Location: UNL East Campus, Lincoln, NE Cost: Varies (see below) Host organization: University of Nebraska Lincoln-CASNR Register: Register for one or multiple days HERE. Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Stacie Turnbull for graduate credit requirements. Ag Technology June 16, 9 am to 4...
Fundamentals of Conducting Meetings using Parliamentary Procedure.
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesThis course will focus on teaching the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure by using interactive notebooks, and games to enhance student learning. Materials will focus on the motions you need to be able to correctly exhibit in the CCM and Parliamentary...
Fundamentals of Conducting Meetings using Parli Pro- June 17-19, 2025
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesLocation: PREEC-Scottsbluff, NE Cost: $100 Host organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department Register: HERE Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Troy White for graduate credit requirements. This course will focus on teaching the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure by using interactive notebooks, and games...
CASE Intro to AFNR- June 23-27 (onsite)
Location: Lakeview High School, Columbus, NE Cost: $2,350 plus housing Host organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department Register: HERE (Early bird price ends March 1; Registration closes May 1) Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Monty Larsen for graduate credit requirements. AFNR introduces students...
Small Gas Engines Fundamentals
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesThis 3-day class will be nearly identical to the Briggs & Stratton Field school courses offered in previous years. Teachers will get the curriculum, but not the textbook, clear carb, or spark tester. By offering this course as unaffiliated with...
CASE Intro to AFNR- June 30- July 1(virtual)
Location: Lakeview High School, Columbus, NE Cost: $2,350 plus housing Host organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department Register: HERE (Early bird price ends March 1; Registration closes May 1) Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Monty Larsen for graduate credit requirements. AFNR introduces students...
Jump Start- July TBA
Location: TBA, Lincoln, NE Cost: $0 Host organization: Nebraska Department of Education, Career and Technical Education Register: TBA Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Eric Knoll for graduate credit requirements. JumpStart is a four-day workshop designed for incoming CTE teachers who are teaching...
Summer Soybean Institute- July 1, 2, & 8 – 10, 2025
Location: Two institute locations to choose from, depending on your location - Concord at the Haskell Ag Lab OR Lincoln on UNL’s East Campus Cost: $0 - stipend available ($1,050 Stipend for attending all five days + $250 Lesson Plan Implementation Bonus + $1,000 Supply Budget...
NCTA Bootcamp- July 7 – 10, 2025
Location: NCTA, Curtis, NE Cost: TBA Host organization: Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) Register: TBA Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Monty Larsen for graduate credit requirements.
Increasing Ag Productivity through Prototyping Design (CNC Plasma, 3-D Printing, Laser Cutting, and Testing)
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesThis 3-day short course will focus primarily in 2-D design on plasma and laser printers with the majority of the time devoted to designing in Open source or reduced-cost programs like Inkscape, Light Burn, and Torchmate CAD. 3-D design will...
Summer Soybean Institute- July 1, 2, & 8 – 10, 2025
Location: Two institute locations to choose from, depending on your location - Concord at the Haskell Ag Lab OR Lincoln on UNL’s East Campus Cost: $0 - stipend available ($1,050 Stipend for attending all five days + $250 Lesson Plan Implementation Bonus + $1,000 Supply Budget...
Increasing Ag Productivity through Prototyping Design- July 8 – 10, 2025
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesLocation: PREEC-Scottsbluff, NE Cost: $150, includes lunch each day of the workshop & one seat license for Lightburn Host organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department Register: HERE Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Troy White for graduate credit requirements. We will focus primarily...
Basic Laboratory Safety & Skill Development
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesThis 3-day course will focus on all things safety. We will be using the MN CTE Safety curriculum to cover the safe and efficient usage of woods and metal power tools. Teachers will leave with the complete safety manual (over...
Automation in the Heartland I–Arduinos
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesYear one of a two year workshop. We will cover Arduino micro-controllers, basic circuits, basic CAD, the engineering process, and designing with Laser, and 3-D printers for ag applications, and fun physics applications using the Arduino. Teachers will receive a...
Automation in the Heartland II- July 23-26, 2025
PREEC Scottsbluff 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, United StatesLocation: PREEC-Scottsbluff, NE Cost: FREE (Includes hotel and meal. Travel stipends available. $600 stipend for attending, a CNC table to take home, and additional training) Host organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department Register: HERE. Graduate credit available; see instructions on registering for graduate credit. Contact Troy White for...
Plant ID and Habitat Workshops- August 19 2025
Location: Niobrara Valley Preserve, south of Johnstown, NE Cost: $0 Host organization: USDA – NRCS Register: Contact [email protected] to register Each workshop will run from roughly 9 am to 2:30 pm and cover plant identification (mostly grasslands) and habitat management and restoration practices. No cost to...