Published July 1, 2019 | By Mike Petersen
Everyone who has read stories and recent accounts of Nelson Mandella from South Africa and his journey/quest for Africa to awaken from their slumber and learn ways to feed, clothe and house their ever growing population would have seen and heard promising words and hearts from these young men and women from 18 of the sub-Saharan region of the African Continent. We, John McCoy, President and CEO of Orthman Manufacturing, Pat McNaught, Territory Manager and myself Mike Petersen the Agronomist for Orthman, we were privileged to be with these young folks for most of a day last week. The day was filled with a great interactive session with the 2018 Top Vo-Ag School for the State of Nebraska in Polk, Nebraska and the students as well as the Vo-Ag advisor Tom Hoffman. Eyes were opened to a different and far-away world of Africa for these high school students of Polk. Went to the field to show and explain the 11 acre corn study these students are involved with us at Orthman Manufacturing. Explained how as a company, we at Orthman thoroughly invest time to educate, disseminate science to the farmer, aid farmers to seek out the reality of the technology of Strip-Till and its many benefits. Questions that were asked were astute and well thought out and important. The time with them was delightful, mind expanding, fulfilling and filled with promise that young African leaders will face the next 50 years with tenacity and toughness as well as with much growth potential as possible.