Award Winners

The Seventh Generation Award is a lifetime service award presented to an individual or individuals who have made major contributions in improving rural life and protecting our land and water.

The Citizenship Award is given to an individual or individuals who actively participate in the civic process for creating public policy, and who work closely with the Center to advance public policies that strengthen family farms, ranches, and rural communities.

The George Norris Policymaker Award is given to a policymaker who employs bipartisanship, compromise, and consensus to improve policy outcomes for family farms and rural communities.

The Rural Community Champion Award is bestowed to a person or persons who work with the Center make extraordinary contributions in building community engagement within their own communities. People who receive this award provide a model for innovation, stewardship, or community development.

The Entrepreneur Award recognizes entrepreneurs who have received Center services and achieved remarkable success in business while demonstrating the values of innovation, community leadership, and social responsibility.

The Entrepreneur Partner Award is presented to an individual or individuals who best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that is so crucial to the future prosperity of Nebraska’s rural communities. This person or organization has demonstrated outstanding support for the Center and exceptional dedication to small business development through technical assistance, business training, lending, and networking across rural Nebraska.

Seventh Generation Award: Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris, Rolling Acres Farm, Atlantic, Iowa
Citizenship Award: Will Corman, Superior, Nebraska
Rural Community Champion Award: Candi Benge, Gibbon, Nebraska
Entrepreneur Award: Rachael Barlow and Heather Veik, River Mill Coffee Co., Neligh, Nebraska
Entrepreneur Award: Maria Delores Arias Villalpando, Laundry Mex, Grand Island, Nebraska
Entrepreneurial Partner Award: Maricela Novoa, Educational Service Unit #10, Kearney, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: Jim and Lisa French, Partridge, Kansas
Citizenship Award: Megan Vaith, Scotland, South Dakota
George Norris Policymaker Award: Sen. Myron Dorn, Adams, Nebraska
Rural Community Champion Award: LaVonne Snake, Winnebago, Nebraska
Entrepreneur Award: Reyna Sibrian, Blanca González, and Joaquina Rojas, owners of Bambino’s Daycare in South Sioux City, Nebraska
Entrepreneurial Partner Award: Echo Collective, Lincoln, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: Martin and Linda Kleinschmit, Hartington, Nebraska
Citizenship Award: Anna Zeleny, of Oakland, Nebraska
Citizenship Award: Kent Wiese, of Des Moines, Iowa
Rural Community Champion Award: Aliza Brunsing, of West Point, Nebraska
Entrepreneur Award: Carime Ruvalcaba, Grand Island, Nebraska
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award: Alexandra Dillon, Kearney, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: Jim and Karen Tikalsky, Niobrara, Nebraska (Karen Tikalsky, posthumously)
Citizenship Award: Mike Tabbert, Antelope County, Nebraska
George Norris Policymaker Award: Sen. Tom Brandt, Plymouth, Nebraska
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Sarah Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska
Entrepreneur Award: Burrito House, Schuyler, Nebraska
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award: Nebraska Building Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: Paul Olson, Lincoln, Nebraska
Citizenship Award: Mark and Connie Tjemeland, McCallsburg, Iowa
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Hank Miller, Bloomfield, Nebraska
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Mary Rosa and Eduardo Morales, Columbus, Nebraska
REAP Friend Award: Patty Plugge​, Tekamah, Nebraska
REAP Extra Mile Award: Tina Biteghe Bi Ndong​, West Point, Nebraska
Women Business Center Entrepreneur Award: Megan Gewecke, Kearney, Nebraska
Latino Business Center Entrepreneur Award: Yomara Hernandez, Schuyler, Nebraska
Latino Business Center Partner Award: Jeanne Schieffer and Sandie Fischer, Columbus, Nebraska

Citizenship Award: Anthony and Mariel Barreras, Blair, Nebraska
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Tim Rinne and Ron Meyer, Lincoln, Nebraska
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Nancy and David Jones, Chappell, Nebraska
REAP Friend Award: Darby Paxton, O’Neill, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Women Business Center Entrepreneur Award: ​Danelle Nutt, Kearney, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Latino Business Center Entrepreneur Award: Rosa Maria Brooks, Hastings, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Latino Business Center Partner Award: Jessica Campos, Grand Island, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: David and Connie Hansen, Anselmo, Nebraska
Citizenship Award: Ross Knott, Petersburg, Nebraska
George Norris Policymaker Award: Mary Harding, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Hilda Moreno and Carlos Alvarado, Fremont, Nebraska​​​​​​​
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Dr. Jennafer Glaesemann, Beatrice, Nebraska​​​​​​​
REAP Friend of the Year Award: Sara Bennett, Grand Island, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Women Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Connie and Roger Kirkpatrick, Alda, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Latino Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Norma Cell Marquez, Grand Island, Nebraska​​​​​​​
REAP Extra Mile Award: Jeff Reynolds, posthumously. Award accepted by his wife, Karen Reynolds, Plymouth, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: Chuck and Barb Francis, Lincoln, Nebraska
Citizenship Award: Bill Furlong, Iowa City, Iowa
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Aida Olivas, Hastings, Nebraska
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Don and Mary Jo Longnecker, Indianola, Nebraska
REAP Friend of the Year Award: Glennis McClure, Beatrice, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Women Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Linda Horner, Ord, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Latino Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Ana Gonzalez, Grand Island, Nebraska​​​​​​​
​REAP Extra Mile Award: Doris Lux, Columbus, Nebraska​​​​​​​
Latino Business Center Partner of the Year Award: Sandra Barrera, Grand Island, Nebraska

Seventh Generation Award: Betty Sayers, Holdrege, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Matt Connealy, Decatur, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Bill Hedges, Lyons, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Kristy and Greg Parr, Norfolk, Neb.
REAP Friend of the Year Award: Pat Coldiron, Seward, Neb.
Women Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Colleen Rickard, Axtell, Neb.
Latino Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Arcadio and Ebodio Zepeda, Norfolk, Neb.
​REAP Extra Mile Award: First Central Bank of Curtis

Seventh Generation Award: Don and Pat Lamb, Moorhead, Iowa
Citizenship Award: Jerry Peckumn, Jefferson, Iowa
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Dan Hromas, York, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Tyler Ray Loop, Tyler Sue Loop and Adam Siegfried, McCook, Neb.
REAP Friend of the Year Award: Mike Burge, Valentine, Neb.
Women Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Maria Swenson, Alliance, Neb.
REAP Extra Mile Award: Pat Compton, Kearney, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: LeRoy and Vergie Hansen, Minden, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Amanda McKinney, Beatrice, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Ken and Lareda Hoback, Burwell, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: David and Kimberly Nelson, Papillion, Neb.
REAP Friend of the Year Award: Milo Alexander, Creighton School of Law's Community Economic Development Clinic
Women Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Stacy Chingren, North Platte, Neb.
Latino Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Diana Vazquez, Lexington, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Floyd Herman, Wilber, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Doug and Anna Crabtree
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Dave and Deb Welsch
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Fernando Lopez

Seventh Generation Award: Tom Brown, Hershey, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Al Guenther
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Lance Hedquist
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Brandon Raby, North Platte, Neb.
REAP Friend of the Year Award: Weldon Sleight

Seventh Generation Award: Dave Vetter
Citizenship Award: Suzanne Castello and Barney Bahrenfuse
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Dalia Mier and Adriana Dungan
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Connie Harvey, Hastings, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Dwight and Becky Ault, Austin, Minn.
Citizenship Award: Angel Romero Kiester, Lyons, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Jeanette Pinkelman, Louise Guy, Mary Rose Pinkelman, Vecky Koch and Violet Pinkelman
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Bradley and Gina Babb, Ord, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Art May, Winnebago, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Jacob Cowgill, Mont.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Rhoda Bjelland, Hadar, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Larry Harbour, Broken Bow, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Bev and Chuck Henkel, Norfolk, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Greg Brokaw, Ashley, ND
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Gary and Mary Cwach, Yankton, SD
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Jose Lopez, Schuyler, Neb.
Retiring Board Members: Merlin Fick, Ashland, Neb; and Mary Rose Pinkelman, St. James, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Bob Warrick, Oceanside, Calif.
Citizenship Award: Mark Leonard, Holstein, Iowa
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Konnie Frederick, Randolph, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Janie Troxel, Fairbury, Neb.
Special Award for work on I-300: John Hansen, Lincoln, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Alan Hoefling, Marcus, Iowa
Citizenship Award: Edgar Hicks, Omaha, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Tim Nissen, Hartington, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Missy Hillmer, Central City, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Bob Steffen, Bennington, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Dennis Demmel, Ogallala, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Joan Alexander, Plainview, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Keith and Sue Roberts, Orleans, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Frankie and Darlene Charipar, Leigh, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Mary Ridder, Callaway, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Curt Arens, Crofton, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Betty Vermeer, Sterling, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Ron and Carol Schooley, Grand Island, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Charlie and Bette Johnson, Madison, SD; Mike and Nina Korth, Randolph, Neb.; and Wayne Frost, St. Paul, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: John Smith, Pender, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award: Marlene Van Diest, Dunning, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Albert Ebers, Seward, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Cy Pinkelman, Hartington, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Todd and Julie Stewart, Meadow Grove, Neb.
REAP Entrepreneur Award (new in 2001): Ed and Vicki Oxford, Sargent, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Ron and Maria Rosmann, Harlan, Iowa
Citizenship Award: Chris and Kristi Peterson, Clear Lake, Iowa
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Jim and Pauline Einrem, Bassett, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Dave Williams, Villisca, Iowa
Citizenship Award: Lowell Schroeder, Stanton, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Paul Rohrbaugh, Steinauer, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Herman Hovendick, Blair, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Tom Larson, St. Edward, Neb.
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Rose Mason, Dixon, Neb.

Seventh Generation Award: Everett Holstein, Blair, Neb.
Citizenship Award: Linus Solberg, Cylinder, Iowa; and Jim Braun, Latimer, Iowa
Bob Steffen Pioneer Award: Kathy Reynolds, Wahoo, Neb.

The Bob Steffen Pioneer Award is bestowed each year to a person or persons who work with the Center make extraordinary contributions in building community engagement within their own communities. People who receive this award provide a model for innovation, stewardship or community development.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals who best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that is so crucial to the future prosperity of Nebraska’s rural communities. This person or organization has demonstrated outstanding support for the Center and exceptional dedication to small business development through technical assistance, business training, lending, and networking across rural Nebraska.

The Latino Business Center Entrepreneur Award is presented annually to an entrepreneur or entrepreneurs who have effectively utilized the services of the Latino Business Center, is successfully operating and growing their business. The award winner best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that is so crucial to Latino-owned businesses and the rural Nebraska communities they call home.

The REAP* Extra Mile Award is given annually to a person or organization that has demonstrated outstanding support for the Center and exceptional dedication to small business development in rural Nebraska.

The REAP* Friend Award is given annually to an individual, organization or institution that provides invaluable service to entrepreneurs by assisting the Center for Rural Affairs’ lending staff in offering technical assistance, business training, loans and networking across rural Nebraska.

The Latino Business Center Partner Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding support for the Center and exceptional dedication to small business development in rural Nebraska.

*Prior to 2021, the Center's lending services were called Rural Enterprise Assistance Project, or REAP.