The ºìÌÒÊÓƵ System has of its "Shaping the Future" video series, featuring Mark McHargue, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau. The series, hosted by President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., features conversations with researchers, students, educators and partners across the state who are changing lives and making an impact.
In the video, McHargue shares his leadership journey, unpacks how Nebraska Farm Bureau is supporting farmers and ranchers across the state and discusses the critical role the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ plays in the future of Nebraska agriculture.
McHargue is a fourth-generation farmer from Central City, who raises irrigated corn, popcorn, and soybeans—along with running a nursery and a hog finishing operation. His involvement with Nebraska Farm Bureau began more than two decades ago.
“I grew up in agriculture, but I always had a bent for leadership as well,” McHargue said. “I wanted to be part of an organization that could affect change while being at the table and having important discussions.”
At Nebraska Farm Bureau, Mark and his team lead critical work that enriches the lives of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families—and enhances Nebraska agriculture through advocacy, education, and leadership development.
“We have three key priorities: fiscal responsibility, growing a market for the commodities and goods we produce, and making sure that we have good regulatory policy,” McHargue said. “Almost everything we work on day-to-day fits under one of those three categories—which all serve to protect and serve farm and ranch families.”
McHargue believes that a close relationship between the agriculture industry and the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ is critical to the current and future success of farmers and ranchers across the state.
“As the university conducts research, training and education to support one of the largest ag states in the country, it’s important to ensure that our relationship continues to be top of mind,” he said.
Among other areas, Dr. Gold highlighted the connection between food and health as an opportunity for continued collaboration between Nebraska’s university and its agriculture industry:
“I'm excited about food for health programs, because I think we can go beyond the nutritional impact of food,” he said. “There are things that we can do with crop production and protein production that will be highly impactful on certain diseases—particularly those that are impacted by the human gut microbiome.”
McHargue’s story is one of leadership rooted in Nebraska values—hard work, innovation and a deep commitment to community. His conversation with Dr. Gold underscores how collaboration between the state’s agricultural leaders and the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ is key to growing a stronger, more resilient future for all Nebraskans.
New episodes of “Shaping the Future” are released monthly and feature faculty, staff, students and partners from across the university’s four campuses and the state of Nebraska. Topics will include athletics, counterterrorism, student success, healthcare, K-12 education and many others.