On November 19, 2025, nine FFA members loaded the van at school and headed to Concordia University to attend the annual Nebraska Ag Summit.
Heartland Community School Press Release
Heartland students have had the opportunity to attend this hands-on agricultural education event since 2021. The program started as a way to promote the agriculture industry, but also to introduce students to Concordia’s newly added agriculture program. Each year, the activities presented change, but all focus on various agricultural pathways.
This year, participants learned about animal genetics through Certified Piedmontese, Commodity Marketing through CVA, Soil sampling, and the importance of proper spacing through Fullfield Ag. They enjoyed the effects of gluten, as hosted by UNL Extension. Participants also had the chance to hear from Concordia’s ag students and take a quick campus visit.
This year’s participants were: Mary Dente, Adrik Friesen, David Hiebner, Faith Hiebner, Maddie Janzen, Rigs Newton, Andrew Onnen, Damon Ostrander, and Grace Splinter.
David Hiebner learns about Commodity Marketing through an activity hosted by CVA.
All participants got to learn about the importance of soil sampling and seed placement from Fullfield Ag.
Participants were split into groups to create muffins using all-purpose, cake, bread, and gluten-free flours. They then did various tests to see the effect of gluten. Here, Grace Splinter, Faith Hiebner, and Maddie Janzen test cake flour.
