News  Agriculture

Building the Ag Workforce: Inside Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture’s Veterinary Technology Program

Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.

February 10, 2026 02:27 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick, RFD NEWS STAFF

CURTIS, Neb. (RFD NEWS) — Agriculture relies on a workforce of skilled, job-ready professionals, and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is focused on helping develop that next generation through hands-on education.

Dr. Kelly Bruns, interim director of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, joined us to discuss the school’s mission and approach.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Bruns highlighted the college’s veterinary technology program, including details about NCTA’s new online offering. He described NCTA as a small campus with a big feel, emphasizing its close-knit learning environment.

Bruns also outlined additional opportunities available to students through the college and shared how prospective students can learn more about the programs NCTA offers.

Related Stories
beef cattle.jpg
Livestock
Cattle Market Outlook: Strong Prices Drive Herd Expansion Plans as Financing Shapes Decisions
Charly Cummings with Superior Livestock Auction joined us to discuss today’s cattle offering, market demand, and what producers should watch as they plan upcoming sales.
April 16, 2026 12:20 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
Shelly_Muzzall_01_21_19_USA_WA_Three_Sisters_Farm_006.jpg
Sustainability
USDA Payments Support Cotton, Wool Demand as Lamb Board Launches Sustainability Effort
David Fisher with the American Lamb Board joined us to discuss a new sustainability program designed to boost producer profitability while supporting stewardship practices.
April 16, 2026 11:57 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
Pwk1Q45j.jpg
Explore 4-H
North Carolina First Grade Teacher Honored for Bringing Agriculture into the Classroom
First-grade teacher Taylor Dougherty at Eastern Elementary School was named the 2026 Ag in the Classroom Award winner for her efforts to teach students about agriculture.
April 16, 2026 11:35 AM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
yellow-legged-hornet_GA-dept-of-Ag.jpg
Sustainability
Invasive Pests Cost U.S. $40 Billion Annually and Threaten Food Supply
David Gruchot with USDA APHIS joined us to discuss the growing threat of invasive pests and the steps individuals can take to help protect U.S. agriculture.
April 16, 2026 11:32 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Aquaculture-AdobeStock_132727176_1920x1080.jpg
Aquaculture
USDA Creates Seafood Office Expanding Support For Producers Nationwide
Seafood producers gain expanded access to USDA support programs.
April 16, 2026 10:22 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
southwest_arizona desert sunset catus_adobe stock.png
Rural Money
ASFMRA Farmland Market Outlook: Water Availability and Climate Pressures Drive Arizona Land Values
ASFMRA’s Shawn Wood joins us to discuss farmland market trends in Arizona and the key factors shaping land values and water-driven decision-making.
April 15, 2026 03:45 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More

Ag Education & Resources Midwest Labor Young Farmers and Ranchers Industry Concerns Cattle Goats
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

usda logo.png
USDA
USDA Announces Payments Under the 2026 Pima Cotton and Wool Trust Funds
March 15 of each year is the application deadline for the Pima Cotton Trust, and March 1 of each year is the application deadline for the Wool Trust. The law mandates trust payments by April 15. More information about these programs is available at www.fas.usda.gov/programs.
April 14, 2026 03:45 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
7JGDl4xv.jpg
Rural Lifestyle
Tractor Supply Supports The Next Generation in Agriculture with 4-H Paper Clover Campaign
Tractor Supply’s Paper Clover Campaign raises millions of dollars each year for 4-H youth programs and scholarships. Local store community marketing manager Lexie Gamble joined Tuesday’s Market Day Report alongside 4-H student Matthew Rochford to discuss the partnership.
April 14, 2026 03:17 PM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
QPUuwwQX.jpg
Rural Lifestyle
Meet the Eligible Farmers: Cupid Hits the Countryside in “Farmer Wants a Wife” Season 4
The cast of “Farmer Wants a Wife” joined us to share their stories and preview Season 4 of the series, which premieres April 21 on FOX.
April 14, 2026 01:35 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
corn crop aerial_adobe stock.png
Business
Corn Growers Advocate for Year-Round E15 as Fuel Prices and Farm Inputs Surge
Lane Howard and Adam Andrews with the National Corn Growers Association joined us in the studio discuss EPA’s approval of summer E15 sales, ongoing fuel market concerns, and the industry’s push for a long-term biofuels solution for farmers.
April 14, 2026 01:09 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
4Snc6iqs.jpg
Sustainability
‘The Math Doesn’t Work:' Dairy Industry Champions Stewardship to Boost Efficiency and Profits As Costs Rise
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation discusses how stewardship is driving efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness in the dairy industry.
April 14, 2026 12:51 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
8W176cwc.jpg
Livestock
Drought and Rising Costs Continue to Strain Texas Ranchers
Texas continues to play a critical role in the U.S. beef supply chain, with both cow-calf operations and feedlots contributing significantly to national production.
April 14, 2026 11:40 AM
 · 
Frank McCaffrey
Load More
Agriculture Shows
21411522-g.jpg
21411516-g.jpg
how farms work the new crop 21411459-g.jpg
learn to grow misilla the new crop header image 21411458-g.jpg
Stoney Ridge Farmer
A few years ago, the Stoney Ridge Farmer moved from a 1/3-acre lot in the city to a 150-acre farm nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Sonne Farms
Cole Sonne is a fourth-generation farmer living in Southeastern South Dakota. His family farm raises Black Angus bulls and grows alfalfa, grass, hay, corn, and soybeans. Cole says, “I make these videos for your entertainment (and for my own, as well)!”
How Farms Work
How Farms Work is a family-friendly YouTube channel that showcases beef and crop farms located in Southwestern Wisconsin. Equipment operation, techniques, and farming strategies are all first-hand accounts given by Ryan, an Agriculture Business major whose family runs these farms.
Learn to Grow
Misilla is the host of Learn to Grow and The Crafty Mom on YouTube. A Pacific Northwest mother of four who is passionate about organic gardening, sustainable living, homesteading, and education, her videos and social media posts consist of gardening, outdoor recreation, healthy living, crafts, science experiments, DIY projects, and delicious recipes.