Grazing Livestock Systems Club

Grazing Livestock Systems Club

grassland with a gate and road

The Grazing Livestock Systems (GLS) Club became a recognized student organization in October 2017. The GLS Club provides the framework for the academic, professional and social development of students in the Grazing Livestock Systems option. By joining the club and participating in its activities, student have the opportunity to develop important external and internal professional networks. The GLS Club also provides a forum for interaction and engagement among undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, faculty and external professionals. Through its activities, the GLS Club increases the presence and visibility of the Grassland Systems program on campus.

GLS Club Constitution (PDF)

gls club officers

GLS Club Officers

  • President: Alex Heier, Kenesaw, NE
  • Vice President: Miranda Mueller, Yutan, NE
  • Treasurer: Matt Hoffmann, Plainview, NE
  • Secretary: Kate Krebs, Monticello, WI

GLS Club Advisors

  • Jay Parsons
  • Jessica Windh
gls club advisors

Activities

  • November 28, 2018: Returning to the Ranch, a presentation by UNL GLS alumnus Ben Andrews of Spring Valley Ranch and Cattle, Bassett, NE.
  • October 10, 2018: GLS Club Meeting, Massengale Residential Center, Multi-purpose Room, 5:30 p.m.
  • September 5, 2018: GLS Welcome Back Meeting, 203 Keim Hall, East Campus, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  • April 18, 2018: GLS Club and Range Management Club Joint Spring Award Banquet. Nebraska East Union, 5:30 p.m.
  • March 7, 2018: GLS Club Meeting, 203 Keim Hall, East Campus, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Officers for the FY 18-19 academic term will be selected at this meeting.
  • February 21, 2018: The Rich History of Grassland Studies at Nebraska, a presentation by Cheryl Dunn, Research Manager Herbarium Curator, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. Nebraska East Union - Cottonwood Room, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. RSVP by February 19 | Video
  • January 17, 2018: GLS Club Meeting, 203 Keim Hall, East Campus, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  • November 15, 2017: GLS Club Meeting, 203 Keim Hall, East Campus, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. More information.
  • October 12, 2017: Economics of Grazing Strategies Producer Seminar with Jim Jenkins. | Video

Jim Jenkins has over 35 years of experience in agriculture and food related industries. He is the operating partner for his family's diversified farming and ranching operation near Callaway, Nebraska.

Beginning in 2007, Jim transitioned the family cattle operation from cow/calf to a stocker operation. In 2015, the ranch began feeding cattle, both at its own facilities, and with custom feedlots. In 2017, the cattle operation will market 3,000 head of live cattle and yearlings. In addition to livestock, the Jenkins family operation includes crop production of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa hay. Since returning to the ranch in 1996, Jim has implemented advanced grazing practices leading to 20% to 40% increase in stocking rates, depending on the year.

The Jenkins ranch has been featured in Nebraska Farmer Magazine, the Omaha World Herald, and the Kearney Hub for its innovative farming and ranching practices. Jim received a bachelor's degree from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois and did graduate work at Northwestern Kellogg School of Business in Chicago, Illinois.

  • October 23, 2017: Annual Forages Versus Row Crops under Irrigation Producer Seminar with John Maddux | Video

John Maddux is the fourth generation manager of the family ranch operations, which includes 45,000 deeded and leased acres, 2,500 mother cows, and 6,000 yearlings. In addition to his daily ranch duties, he is a past member of the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition; the Nebraska Investment Council, which is responsible for managing the state’s 9 Billion in pension assets; and State Bank Board of Directors.

Prior to returning to the ranch, John was employed by Goldman Sachs of New York in Fixed Income Sales and Trading, and prior to that worked for Elanco selling herbicides. He has an undergraduate degree in animal science form the University of Nebraska and a masters in finance from the University of Chicago.


GLS Scrapbook

The Grazing Livestock Systems Scrapbook provides club highlights of club activities since it became a Recognized Student Organization at the University in October 2017. Click on the image to view the complete GLS Scrapbook.

GLS Scrapbook Cover

Participate in Student Organizations

Student clubs act as essential partners in the educational experience for students in the Grassland Systems degree program. Clubs provide co-curricular opportunities that complement the subject matter and activities in the classroom, foster student development, provide leadership experience by becoming club officers, and prepare students for life beyond the university. In addition, clubs provide students with the motivation and opportunity to become involved in campus activities, develop campus and community projects, learn more about their selected field of study, and explore career possibilities. Many students join clubs to interact with students who have similar backgrounds and interests, thereby enhancing their experience while at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Most clubs are student chapters of professional societies (e.g., Society for Range Management), and students have opportunities to attend local and national meetings of the professional societies.

Grazing Livestock Systems students are encouraged to be active members of clubs, especially those that are particularly relevant to range and forage sciences, animal science, or agricultural economics. In addition to joining the Grazing Livestock Systems Club, students might also consider joining some of the following clubs:

Additional information on all Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) may be found at UNL RSOs.

Attend GLS Events

The GLS faculty and Club members determine programming for each semester. Events are open to other students, not just those in the Grazing Livestock Systems degree option. Some of the events available to students include:

  • Producer seminars that feature producers who demonstrate expertise in some aspect of grazing management
  • GLS alumni panels to hear how GLS graduates are putting their knowledge to use
  • An internship symposium giving students the opportunity to share their internship experiences with other students, faculty, and guests. In addition, the symposium is also a time for students to interact with members of the GLS Stakeholders Board and college administrators during a pre-symposium luncheon provided by the Center for Grassland Studies
  • Social experiences that allow students to better connect with other students and faculty
  • Fall Seminar Series, which brings in speakers from around the state to discuss work they are doing related to grasslands management (this series is also available for course credit)
  • Leu Distinguished Lecture invites national lectures to address grassland topics
  • Salute to Graduates
  • CGS Open House to honor GLS graduates

Apply for GLS Ambassador Scholarship

Students apply in the spring to be the undergraduate GLS Ambassador for the upcoming school year. The Ambassador attends planning meetings of the GLS faculty and assists with recruiting activities and promoting GLS activities on campus.


Ambassador Scholarship Application