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Governor’s summit focusing on future of ag and bioeconomy

Nebraska state leaders say the bioeconomy presents a lot of opportunity for the state’s ag industry.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is hosting the 2024 Summit on Agriculture and Economic Development in Kearney this week. He says the state has the infrastructure in place to support significant growth in the bioeconomy.

“We really do feed the world and save the planet, and there’s infinite industries and careers that circle around that,” he says. “It’s a key piece to rural economic revitalization.”

Nebraska Ag Director Sherry Vinton says there’s a lot of potential from a kernel of corn or unused soybeans.

“There’s going to be next generation fuels coming on line, renewable diesel, value added products, such as meat and then there’s all sorts of plastics and amino acids,” she says.

The governor says the biomanufacturing industry also supports a vigorous rural job market.

“We have all of the intangibles, we have a lot of work, but no one can compete with our people, our water and our land,” he says.

The summit runs through Friday and features agricultural and economic leaders from across Nebraska.