What started as a leap into the unknown has turned into national success for Wyatt Ozenbaugh.
Now the Ohiowa, Nebraska, native has been named the Rural Radio Network’s Ag Achiever of the Month for his leadership on campus and success on the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture’s nationally recognized crops judging team. Ozenbaugh studies agronomy and agribusiness at NCTA in Curtis.
When Ozenbaugh joined the team, he admitted he wasn’t sure what crops judging even involved.
“I had no idea what I was getting into,” he said. “The first practice was pretty rough.”
Through hours of practice identifying plants and seeds, solving agronomy problems and preparing for competitions, Ozenbaugh quickly found his footing. The hard work paid off as NCTA captured first place at every regional competition and the two-year college division at the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture crops judging contest. Individually, Ozenbaugh earned first-place finishes in Iowa and Illinois and placed second at Oklahoma State.
Ozenbaugh said the experience has given him far more than technical knowledge.
“The biggest one is definitely just being confident in what you love the most,” he said. “I can confidently say that I was an NCTA crops judger, and I’m really happy about that.”
The team has also traveled to competitions across the country, giving members the chance to visit farms, agricultural businesses and landmarks along the way.
“We always make the trip worth our while,” Ozenbaugh said, recalling visits to manufacturers, local farmers and agricultural exhibits during competitions.
Outside the classroom, Ozenbaugh stays busy as a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard while serving as a student ambassador, student senate member and participant in several campus organizations.
After graduating, Ozenbaugh hopes to begin his career as a field agronomist, learning alongside an experienced mentor before taking on that responsibility himself.
“I’d like to sit under somebody as a field agronomist and learn the way that you do it, not in school and do it out in the real world,” he said. “I’m just waiting for the right opportunity and the right phone call.”
The Ag Achiever of the Month is presented by the Rural Radio Network and the Nebraska Soybean Board. Submit a nomination at ruralradio.com/youth.
