Governor Heineman Announces Saunders County Designated Livestock Friendly

Press Release

Today, Gov. Dave Heineman announced the official designation of Saunders County as Nebraska's newest county to receive the Livestock Friendly County designation through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Today's announcement marks the final Livestock Friendly County designation of Gov. Heineman's administration. Since he took office, nearly 1/3rd of Nebraska's counties have earned this designation.

"Agriculture is our state's most important industry, and livestock production is an essential part of our success. Being part of the Livestock Friendly program is significant and it is a great way to recognize the tremendously positive impact the livestock industry has on Main Streets and the local economy," said Gov. Heineman.

With the addition of Saunders County, there are now 29 counties designated as Livestock Friendly through the state program. Saunders County joins Adams, Banner, Box Butte, Cuming, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dodge, Gage, Garden, Grant, Hitchcock, Holt, Jefferson, Johnson, Kimball, Keith, Knox, Lincoln, Merrick, Morrill, Otoe, Pawnee, Saline, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Wayne and Webster counties.

Gov. Heineman presented the Livestock Friendly certificate to Saunders County Supervisors Doris Karloff, Dave Lutton, Scott Sukstorf, Darren Martin, Craig Breunig, Leroy Hanson, and Ed Rastovski. Saunders County will receive road signs bearing the program logo to display along highways. The state program is coordinated by the Department of Agriculture.

Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said the official designation makes a positive statement about each county's commitment to rural economic development through livestock production. "It is clear from the submitted materials that county officials have given some purposeful thought to supporting the livestock industry. We are pleased to welcome Saunders County into the program."

To apply for a livestock friendly county designation, the county board must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution to apply. A completed application is then submitted to Department of Agriculture for review. Local producers or community groups can encourage their county board to submit a livestock friendly county application.

Additional information on the Livestock Friendly County program is available by contacting the Nebraska Department of Agriculture toll-free at 800-422-6692, or by visiting the Department of Agriculture website at www.nda.nebraska.gov and clicking the Livestock Friendly County link.

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