The 107th Legislature, Second Session is upon us and will convene on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, just a few months since the special session on redistricting adjourned. This is the short 60-day session and is a continuation of the last one, meaning that bills from last session that weren’t passed or killed are still in play to go along with new bills that will be introduced. I expect there to be major proposals to address taxes and how to spend Nebraska’s allocation of covid-19 relief dollars that will probably take up a lot of floor debate.

My bill LB91, which changes the frequency of testing native flower and grass seed germination percentage from every nine months to every fifteen months is the first bill on the list for General File debate and should come up fairly soon on the agenda. LB242, my bill to allow counties to pay for bridges on a payment plan instead of all up front, is the 13th bill on General File.

I will be introducing new legislation in January to: add early childhood education to the statewide farm to school program; update the definition of meth lab; create a Nebraska Domestic Abuse Death Review Team after consultations with affected families; and call for $10,000,000 in covid-19 relief funds for the Independent Processor Assistance Fund that was created in LB324 for small meat producers from last session. If you have questions about bills or the upcoming session, please contact my office. 

Nebraska experienced unprecedented extreme weather last Wednesday, including hurricane-force winds that led to property damage and power outages, but thankfully no fatalities as was the case in Kentucky recently. I would like to thank the hardworking linemen and crews who worked to restore power to LD32 residents and all over the state. 

On that note, it is time again for the Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest. The contest is sponsored by Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Nebraska National Guard and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. The poster contest is open to all third-grade students in Nebraska. Teachers are encouraged to have students participate while teaching them about the hazards of severe weather such as tornadoes (the most common theme chosen for posters), lightning and flooding. The first-place winner wins a $125 gift card, second-place a $100 gift card, third-place a $75 gift card, and fourth-place a $50 gift card. For the rules of the contest or questions about it, contact Laura Hintz at 402-288-5613 or knoxema@knoxcountyne.org.

Finally, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas full of happiness, warmth and relaxation. I extend joy and blessings from my family to yours. And remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.

A few weeks back, the Thayer Central 5th graders had the opportunity to tour the State Capitol as many students do over the course of their time in school. In 2021, there have been 11 class visits from District 32, including Wilber-Clatonia, Dorchester, and St. James Catholic School to name a few. The State Capitol is one of the most interesting, historic and important places in Nebraska and well worth a visit for adults, students and tourists alike. When schools visit, if I am at the Capitol, I like to take some time to talk with classes about the building and my role as a senator. Unfortunately, I was not in the Capitol during Thayer Central’s visit. In these cases, I encourage classes to stop by my office and talk to my staff who can answer questions and provide information. You can contact them ahead of time at (402) 471-2711 and tbrandt@leg.ne.gov. 

When touring the Capitol, you can learn about how it was built, beginning with the Nebraska Capitol Commission in 1919, and the Capitol’s many features such as the artwork and symbolism of the interior and exterior, the Vestibule with its ornate mosaics, the arches of the Foyer, and the explanation of the virtues in the Rotunda. And, unlike other states, all three branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial – are housed in the State Capitol in different chambers. There is ongoing construction so some areas may not be accessible. For more information and to set up a tour, call 402-471-0448.

I would also like to recognize three students from Legislative District 32 who were recognized at the 24th Annual Commissioner’s Recognition for Excellence in Nebraska Career and Technical Education for excelling in their national competitive events this past year. These students are Wyatt Nun of Fillmore Central, Cassidy June of Milford High School and Autumn Veen of Lincoln Lutheran High School. Congratulations and keep up the great work!

I had the honor and privilege to be selected as one of the thirty five lawmakers to complete a leadership training program that identifies and assists emerging state leaders in the Midwest. I met with fellow lawmakers from Nebraska, ten other Midwestern states and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan on October 1-5, in Minneapolis, for The Council of State Governments’ 26th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).

BILLD is one of the premiere leadership training programs in the nation. The legislatures in the Midwest have benefited greatly from the skills their members have gained through this unique educational experience. Many of the graduates now hold leadership positions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, and Wisconsin and were chosen to participate through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process.

In legislative news, the Speaker’s Office announced that The 107th Legislature, Second Session will convene January 5, 2022 and is scheduled to conclude April 20th. We are currently working on old and new legislation for the new session concerning farm to school, native seeds, bridge funding for counties, and right to repair for farmers, among other issues.

Finally, I have an update regarding the dangerous road conditions between County Roads H & I on Highway 103 outside of Crete which is a heavily trafficked highway and the turn off for Smithfield Foods. I have heard from many constituents over the last few months about this rough stretch of road and our office has been working with the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to address this sooner rather than later. I am happy to report that NDOT completed an emergency maintenance project to mill and overlay the approximately .7 miles of highway to stabilize it. I would like to thank NDOT for their quick response to correcting these unsafe conditions. As the road work is in progress, if you would like an update or have questions about it, please contact my office about this or other issues.

The State of Beef: Cattle producers, Nebraska politicians seek solutions to low profits

In Nebraska, new law allows meat consumers to own ‘herd shares,’ and producers to make direct sales

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

BY CAROLYN ORR

When it first hit, the COVID-19 pandemic turned much of the Midwest’s meat processing industry upside down.

And though normalcy has largely returned to this sector, some changes appear to be more permanent: greater consumer demand for locally grown and processed meat, and new economic opportunities for smaller-scale producers and processing facilities.

For states, the most common response has been to establish grant programs (often with the help of federal dollars) for smaller processing plants to increase capacity and modernize operations. Nebraska included this approach in LB 324, a measure passed earlier this year without a single “no” vote. But the new state law also includes a more novel approach to help the state’s livestock producers — allow their consumers to have a form of ownership, through what Nebraska Sen. Tom Brandt refers to as a “herd share agreement.”

“[It] expands the definition of ownership to allow livestock producers to offer home-raised meat that is processed at custom-exempt plants,” says Brandt, who has a background in commercial meat processing and livestock production.  He sponsored LB 324, which took effect in August.  Under a herd share agreement, a consumer is able to buy a steak or hamburger from the farmer by purchasing a share of the live animal before it is processed at a custom-exempt plant.

This change in state law provides a workaround of a federal requirement that the meat from custom-exempt plants be consumed only by the owner of the animal. (These plants are only reviewed periodically by federal inspectors.)

To participate in a herd share agreement, a producer must provide the share owner with a description of livestock health and processing standards, as well as maintain a record of each animal share sold.  “LB 324 established a set of guidelines to ensure compliance with state and federal law and documentation to prove ownership and to address food safety concerns,” Brandt says. The producer must reside in Nebraska and register with, and report sales to, the state Department of Agriculture.

Nebraska is one of two states in the Midwest (Michigan is the other) without a state-run meat inspection program. As a result, only one of two kinds of meat processing plants operate in Nebraska: those that are federally inspected or custom-exempt.  According to the Center for Rural Affairs, some smaller-scale operations prefer state-run programs, noting federal inspectors are more accustomed to working with larger plants. (For instance, facilities are expected to construct a designated office and have a shower available for the inspector.)

“State inspections … help decrease the burden of opening or maintaining a small locker or processing facility,” the center says. Cost concerns ended Nebraska’s state-run inspection program decades ago, and Brandt says that remains an obstacle to re-establishing one. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture fully funds federal meat inspections, states are expected to cover half of the costs of their own programs.

Still, most states in this region have chosen to offer inspections. This then enables a fourth type of inspection program, a state-federal collaborative that permits interstate shipments and sales of meat from state-inspected facilities.

10.6.21 Beatrice Daily Sun’s Tara Dunker: Farm to school is a win for all

If you like the idea of healthy children and a robust local economy, then consider yourself a proponent of Farm to School.

Never heard of it before?

Farm to School is a program that communities can adopt to connect children, schools and local farmers. Research shows these connections improve a child’s nutrition and academic performance, strengthen local food systems and protect the environment.

While no two Farm to School programs are exactly alike, each gives children better access to healthy, local foods as well as hands-on learning opportunities like school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips.

The ultimate goal of Farm to School is to empower children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.

If that’s not a good enough reason to support Farm to School, check out the five benefits identified by the National Farm to School Network.

1. Farm to School can be a real boost for rural economies. Each dollar invested in Farm to School efforts contributes an additional $0.06-$2.16 to the economy. Individual farmers may see an average 5% increase in income from cafeteria sales and establish a long-term revenue stream.

2. Farm to School supports healthy eating habits by boosting the quality of food served in the cafeteria. When schools offer school gardens, 44% of students eat more fruits and vegetables. When schools serve food from local farmers, 33% of students eat more fruits and vegetables.

3. Farm to School improves overall academic achievement in K-12. This boost includes grades and test scores as well as physical activity and social emotional growth. Farm to School offers innovative teaching platforms for core subjects, such as science, math, and language arts, and greater opportunities for hands-on learning.

4. Farm to School reduces local food waste. This reduction is seen both on the production side and the plate waste side. Farm to School supports environmentally sound, sustainable and socially just food production, processing, packaging, transportation and marketing.

5. Farm to School increases community awareness. This increase is shown through support from parents and community for healthier school meals—connecting communities and schools in a really authentic way.

The Legislature has now concluded the Special Session call and fulfilled its constitutional duty to pass redistricting maps for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Legislature, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, the Public Service Commission and the Nebraska Supreme Court. 

It was an arduous process that required compromising and working together to pass maps in time for candidates to run for office across the state and to have lived in their district one year before being elected. I am happy to report that Legislative District 32 (LD32) stayed relatively the same, retaining Fillmore, Thayer, Saline and Jefferson counties in whole and picking up additional parts of southern Lancaster County while losing parts of Lancaster County that went into Lincoln. 

Specifically, the new LD32 district lines of Lancaster County include the southwestern corner going north to West A St, then east, then south on SW 56th St, then east on Saltillo Road, and then angling south near Salt Creek to Wagon Train Road and then finally south along S. 110th St to the Gage County line and back west on W. Gage Road to the Saline County line. The map of LD32 and the other legislative districts are in bill form here. The overall change is that LD32 moved further east into Senator Myron Dorn’s district and now includes the villages of Holland and Firth as well as Norris School District 160. Welcome to LD32 and it is my pleasure to represent you.

As for the rest of the maps that passed, Fillmore, Thayer, Saline and Jefferson counties did not change districts on the Congressional, Board of Education, Public Service Commission and Supreme Court maps. On the Board of Regent map, Fillmore County moved from District 5 to District 6. I also want to note that the Board of Education map changed significantly to move more districts out of Douglas County to give the rest of Nebraska more representation. 

Finally, a word about attendance. Washington, D.C.’s Club for Growth Foundation recently released its Missed Votes Nebraska scorecard, which calculated how often lawmakers showed up and how often they missed votes, for the Legislature’s 2021 regular session from January 21 to May 27. Senators miss votes for a whole host of reasons, including medical issues, family concerns, and prior commitments but I am proud to report that out of the 49 state senators, I was ranked first for attendance and votes taken, voting 96% of the time. I came to Lincoln to make your voice heard and when I said that, I meant it.

LB396 creates new opportunities for farm-to-school meals

On any given weekend in Nebraska, one can visit 100-plus farmers markets and purchase dozens of varieties of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Or stop by one of hundreds of roadside stands or dozens of you-pick operations. Nebraska grows a lot more than cattle and corn. But most of what Nebraska students eat doesn’t come from the state.

“Research in the last couple years shows that more than 90% (of food) is being imported from outside the state,” said Benjamin McShane-Jewell, an assistant extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska.

However, with Legislative Bill 396, he and others are aiming to change that ratio. Introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt, the Adopt the Nebraska Farm-to-School Program Act reserves funds to create new and promote existing farm-to-school food programs. The bill passed unanimously in May with two goals in mind:

• Provide schoolchildren with fresh, non-processed meals and introduce them to healthy eating habits. This includes field trips to farms, cooking classes, and gardening and composting programs.
• Increase the income of Nebraska farmers.

“There’s $65-$70 million in food purchases made every year just for school programs,” McShane-Jewell said. “That’s a huge under-tapped market for local producers.”

Based in Washington County, McShane-Jewell has worked with the Regional Food Systems division of Rural Prosperity Nebraska for three years. Before that, he established urban agricultural projects, such as community gardens, around the country for 10 years, usually working on a small scale.

“It becomes really tricky when you think about a school district like Lincoln or Omaha, where you’re serving 25,000-50,000 students a day,” McShane-Jewell said. “That quantity becomes difficult to source.”

What a bill like LB396 provides, he said, is funding to organize and establish farm-to-school programs on a statewide scale, which requires extensive coordination.

Creating connections between producers and schools is at the heart of LB396. This is where Sara Smith comes in. As the farm-to-school specialist in the Nebraska Department of Education, Smith’s charge is to organize agriculture programs that connect schools with producers. One such statewide initiative, Nebraska Thursdays, encourages schools to serve locally sourced meals on the first Thursday of each month. Another program, Harvest of the Month, features a different Nebraska specialty crop each month and provides schools with the resources to serve those crops to their students.

“This is all an effort to guide schools toward products that can be grown in Nebraska with the hopes that we will see an increase in purchases from local growers,” Smith said.

“We’ve talked to a lot of buyers; they want to source locally. We’ve talked to local producers; they want to sell to schools,” McShane-Jewell said. “We’re just trying to bridge those gaps.”

One effort to bridge such gaps during the 2021-22 school year is an in-school gardening program. Schools build greenhouses on the grounds, and students are taught about agriculture. The food they produce goes directly to the school’s cafeteria. But students are only one side of the coin.

“In 2022, we’re going to hold trainings for producers across the state,” McShane-Jewell said. “Hopefully that will help them be more confident to reach out to schools and work with them to start producing what (the schools) need.”

While each school’s student body and resources differ, both McShane-Jewell and Smith have high hopes for the future.

“As they say, ‘If you want to reach the top of the trees, you shoot for the moon,’ so I’m a big proponent that we need to go really big on this,” McShane-Jewell said. “There are models out there that set targets for 10% or 15% local. I would love to see Nebraska get really ambitious and think about 50%, 75%, 100% local.

“There’s so much production happening in this state. It’s just: How do we turn the tides toward a different marketplace?”

One immediate step is the Mountain Plains Crunch Off, an eight-state competition celebrating October as National Farm to School Month. Who can encourage the most residents to “crunch” into a piece of fresh produce?

“Nebraska is the reigning champion two years running,” McShane-Jewell said, “so we’re keen to keep that going.”

For more information on the Mountain Plains Crunch Off, click here. For more information on Rural Prosperity Nebraska, click here.

Town of Carleton celebrates ‘Milo Days’ while dedicating new fire station

“Today, we dedicate this new building, and its facilities, to serve the needs of the Town of Carleton,” Brandt said. “This beautiful station is a culmination of much planning and hard work.”

A Herd Share Bill passed during this year’s Nebraska legislative session [went into effect on Friday]. The measure was sponsored by State Senator Tom Brandt of Plymouth. He says this allows customers to purchase part of a cut of beef from a local producer. He says as a producer if he sells that cut that way he can price it accordingly and likely get a higher profit margin. Brandt also says the Herd Share law will help medium and smaller sized producers and hopefully lead to an addition of more shackle space for processors. Brandt says they’ll know more about how HERD Share works once it’s been in effect for a year. Brandt says the hope is that there will be more processors available for producers and consumers to utilize. Listen to snippets from Senator Brandt’s interview with WNAX radio here.