'NEST on the Farm' Writing Contest 2014
NEST 529 College Savings Announces Fourth Annual 'NEST on the Farm' Scholarship Contest
$10,500 in Scholarships for Nebraska Farm, Ranch Families

First National Bank of Omaha and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg announced today the fourth annual “NEST on the Farm” scholarship contest for children of Nebraska farm and ranch families. Three winners will each receive a $2,500 contribution and three runners-up will each receive a $1,000 contribution to a NEST 529 College Savings Plan account to be presented Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.

The scholarship contest is open to children and teens ages 7 to 13 who live on Nebraska farms or ranches or whose parents work on Nebraska farms or ranches. One winner and one runner-up will be chosen in each of the following age categories: ages 7-9, 10-11, and 12-13. Each contestant is asked to submit a typed essay of no more than 750 words, describing how being in a farming or ranching family influences his or her higher education goals.

“First National Bank of Omaha has a proud history of working with Nebraska’s agriculture communities. We are excited to offer this scholarship opportunity to farming and ranching families and help them get a jump start on saving for college,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, First National Bank of Omaha.

“We are proud of our Nebraska farm and ranch families and admire the strong work ethic and good values these families impart to their children,” Treasurer Stenberg said. “We also know that the future success of our family farms and ranches, and our strong Nebraska agriculture economy, will require well-educated citizens. The enormous financial commitment, along with the increasing complexity of farm management, requires farmers and ranchers to be well educated, well informed, and knowledgeable about a broad range of subjects.”

Contest entries are due by mail or email by July 7, 2014. Three winners and three runners-up will be selected on Aug. 4, 2014.

The scholarship will be awarded to the child and deposited into an account owned by the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, held on behalf of the winner.

About First National Bank of Omaha

First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $23 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

About NEST

NEST is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, the Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and the State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank & Trust Company serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have more than 285,000 accounts, including over 94,000 in Nebraska. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.

Investments Are Not FDIC Insured* · No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee · May Lose Value
*Except the Bank Savings Static Investment Option Underlying Investment
  • Jana Langemach
  • Director of Communications
  • 402-471-8884