Ben Beckman To Serve As County Beef Educator

The Antelope County Extension Office is welcoming a familiar face.

A "Meet and Greet" event with Ben Beckman is planned on Friday, Feb. 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Antelope County Courthouse Supervisor’s Room in Neligh.

Beckman grew up on a family farm near Elgin where he was heavily involved in both 4-H and FFA.

“Both programs helped me develop an appreciation for agriculture and natural resource management,” he said. 

Beckman attended UNL for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, focusing on grazing systems and forage management. Upon graduation, he was an extension assistant with UNL’s Pesticide Safety Education Program, which provides educational programs and materials on the safe use of pesticides for extension educators to train current and potential applicators. 
           
Most recently, Beckman served as research and communications specialist, working as a liaison between UNL and constituent groups working in water management statewide. Working with the Nebraska Water Center, Nebraska Extension, and the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Beckman visited and worked with NRDs, state and federal agencies, irrigation districts, and other groups statewide. 
           
“I’m excited to be working with beef systems in northeast Nebraska,” Beckman said. “Extension has been influential in developing my passion for the beef industry and forage management. I look forward to sharing this experience with others.” 

Beckman joined Nebraska Extension on January 15 as the Regional Expert in Beef Systems for Knox, Cedar, Antelope, Pierce and Madison counties and is located in the Cedar County office.