While people often find policy to be wonky and distanced from humanity, for me, policy is personal. Each day I come to work to advocate on behalf of my rural family—and in turn your rural family.
I have experienced firsthand how the drastic increase in land valuations and property taxes have limited our ability as “young farmers” to get started and grow our farm. Yet, at the same time, I hear the stories from my little brother, a rural school teacher, using decades-old textbooks and lamenting about the challenges his students face because parents are unable to make ends meet. Or, I think about my sister who, while working for a small rural business, went without insurance because it was not offered by her employer and she did not make enough to get coverage from the marketplace. And, I smile remembering the day my parents called to thank me for working for expanded rural broadband access, because their provider increased their access speeds.
Behind each policy area that I work on is a family member, a friend, a rural Nebraskan whose quality of life is impacted by the legislation we advocate for. Policy is personal.
My top priorities are to identify, develop, and build relationships with rural leaders. In doing so, I hope to advance our policy goals by putting others in positions to make a difference.
I hail from Plymouth, Nebraska, the same community where my great-great-great grandparents began farming after they immigrated from Germany in the late 1800s. During college, I met my husband David, who is a sixth generation farmer. We restored and live in the farm house built by David’s great-great grandparents. We raise corn, soybeans, and chickens, and whatever crop he is trying this year.
I am pretty sure the only reason the Center keeps me on staff is because I like to bring in homemade baked goods, even though my colleagues know they are guinea pigs for new recipes.
