From 4-H to Global Agriculture: How Nebraska Experiences Shaped Alyvia Shultz-Ramer’s Career Path

Hands-on agricultural experiences, mentorship and university education have helped Alyvia Shultz-Ramer develop a career path in agriculture, demonstrating how students can enter the industry even without growing up on a family farm.

Shultz-Ramer, a student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, developed her interest in agriculture through local 4-H projects in Kearney, Nebraska. What began with raising and showing goats gradually became an opportunity to learn about livestock production, agricultural education and the wider business of farming.

From 4-H Projects to Livestock Production

Shultz-Ramer's agricultural journey began with 4-H, a youth development programme that offers practical learning opportunities. During her school years, she moved beyond showing goats and began raising animals herself.

Living within Kearney's city limits meant that finding suitable space for livestock required additional arrangements. She secured space on a local resident's property, allowing her to expand her herd and gain firsthand experience in animal care.

Her livestock project became part of her supervised agricultural experience through Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Kearney High School. Managing animals exposed her to the everyday realities of agriculture, including livestock health, difficult births and the challenges of Nebraska's winter weather.

These experiences helped her develop practical knowledge and an understanding of the responsibilities involved in agricultural production.

Mentorship Helped Shape Her Career Direction

Although Shultz-Ramer initially considered veterinary medicine, her experience working in a veterinary clinic encouraged her to explore other career options.

Sheridan Swotek, her agricultural education teacher at Kearney High School, played an important role in guiding her development. Swotek's connection to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources helped introduce Shultz-Ramer to the opportunities available through agricultural higher education.

She subsequently pursued studies in agricultural leadership, education and communications at the university.

The programme allowed her to explore agriculture beyond livestock production, including communication, leadership and the educational work needed to connect agricultural businesses with the public.

Internship Provides a Global Perspective

A significant step in Shultz-Ramer's development came through an internship with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Denver, Colorado.

The experience exposed her to the international meat industry and demonstrated how agricultural production connects with global markets. Her work and training introduced her to different stages of the beef, pork and lamb industries, including processing, product quality, consumer preferences and international trade.

She also gained insight into the relationship between Nebraska's grain producers and the livestock industry. Corn plays an important role in feeding livestock, linking crop production with meat processing and export markets.

Her internship activities included communications work, industry training, professional networking and participation in events involving agricultural specialists and international market representatives.

Agriculture Offers Opportunities Beyond the Farm

Shultz-Ramer's experience highlights the range of career opportunities available to students interested in agriculture. In addition to farming and animal production, the sector offers pathways in agricultural communications, research, education, marketing, international trade and business development.

Her journey also demonstrates the value of practical experience and mentorship in helping students identify careers suited to their interests and skills.

Through 4-H, FFA, university education and industry internships, Shultz-Ramer has developed a broader understanding of how different parts of the agricultural sector work together.

Her experience illustrates how students can build agricultural careers through education, hands-on learning and exposure to opportunities across the industry.