LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) reported Tuesday they hired three new members to the company.

Chase Samuelson was hired Sept. 12 as the central regional manager. NEFB said that Samuelson grew up on a farm near Palmer and has been active in Farm Bureau, serving as a Governmental Relations intern in 2018 and is a Merrick County Farm Bureau member. He has a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before NEFB, Samuelson was at the State Bank of Scotia, where he was assistant vice president.

“We are very excited to have Chase join the Nebraska Farm Bureau team," said Adam Peterson, NEFB senior director of leadership/field services. "He is passionate about ensuring that farmers and ranchers have a strong voice on the issues affecting their farms and ranches.” 

Samuelson will work with county Farm Bureaus in 13 counties including Boone, Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Greeley, Hall, Howard, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Sherman and Valley.

NEFB hired Austin Harthoorn on Sept. 21 as the economist. NEFB said that Harthoorn graduated from the UNL with a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. Harthoorn has worked in internships at USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) in Washington, D.C.; CHS Inc., and Archer Daniels Midland. Harthoorn also helped with University of Nebraska publications. NEFB said Harthoorn grew up on a farm near Ainsworth where they run a longhorn cow/calf operation and grow row crops.

“The ability to identify the dollars and cents impacts of policy initiatives on our farm and ranch members is a critical piece of our advocacy efforts," said Craig Head, NEFB chief advocacy officer. "Austin brings a passion for agriculture and an excellent skill set to help evaluate proposed legislation, regulations, evolving agricultural markets, and the agricultural production landscape as we work to serve our farm and ranch families. We’re extremely excited to have Austin join our team.”

NEFB hired Eric Paseka on Aug. 15 as the comptroller for the company. NEFB said Paseka grew up in Prague and graduated from Wayne State College. Before NEFB, Paseka was at BMG Certified Public Accountants, LLP for 13 years in accounting and auditing. Paseka has worked on the audit for NEFB corporations for 10 years.

“Any time we have staff changes, the NEFB leadership evaluates our organizational structure to make sure we are delivering value to our farm and ranch members," said Rob Robertson, NEFB chief administrator. "We are very happy to have Eric here on our Nebraska Farm Bureau team.”