BEATRICE – A local lending institution has been honored by the Beatrice Public Schools for their role in supporting the district, including reviving an FFA Chapter at Beatrice High School.

Farm Credit Services of America was named the district’s Business of the Month, Monday night. Agriculture Instructor Dave Barnard said the business has been helpful in reestablishing an FFA Chapter…complete with a new banner.

"They did this in-service this year for all the ag teachers around our community, not just Beatrice...outreaching what they had to offer ag teachers. This is just one example of one of the things they provided, starting out with zero money in the chapter, those grants have been great."

Beatrice Public Schools hired Barnard, after he retired as a well-known agriculture and FFA leader at Tri County Public Schools….to jumpstart an ag program at Beatrice High School.

Superintendent Jason Alexander says Barnard has played a crucial role following through with that objective. "I just want to say thank you to Mr. Barnard as the person who has helped us jump start our FFA program, our ag education program....after many years of not having it. This would have never happened without you. We greatly appreciate what you've done and the connections that you've made. We're talking this evening about Farm Credit Services of America, which donated $2,000. But, I have a list in my hand of well over $10,000 in donations that have accumulated for our FFA program and out ag students, because of the work of Mr. Barnard."

Barnard is working through the first semester with the Beatrice Public Schools, and will turn leadership of the program over to new instructor, Colton Husa….a local graduate. An FFA Chapter that started back in 1929 in Beatrice, was the first such chapter in Nebraska, but it later disbanded.

Elementary principals also say Barnard has been instrumental…with the help of high school ag students…in bringing interest in the program to elementary students within the district.

At Monday night’s school board meeting, elected officials also recognized as the district’s employee of the month, Denise Behrends, a special education instructor.