Sadie Ference: President
Howdy! My name is Sadie Ference, and I am currently serving as the President of Block & Bridle. I am a junior majoring in Animal Science, minoring in Krutsinger Beef Scholars, and am on the pre-vet track. I have interests in ruminant nutrition, cattle reproduction & genetics, and animal health. I hope to continue my education after I graduate and serve the beef community and industry through my career. I grew up on a ranch west of Loup City, Nebraska. I fell in love with animal agriculture from a young age, and my passion for it has led me to where I am today.
Block & Bridle is a club where like-minded individuals from various backgrounds, can share their passion for animal agriculture. We strive to be a community that respects the deep tradition and impact Block & Bridle has while bringing new knowledge, ideas, and viewpoints in animal agriculture to the forefront. I am honored to be the President this year, and I hope to make a positive impact on the club. We hope you join us! Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns at sference2@unl.edu. Thank you!
Allison Everhart: Vice-President: Pork
Hello everyone! My name is Allison Everhart, and I am currently serving as the VP of Pork! I am a junior majoring in Animal Science following the pre-vet track with a minor in Agricultural Economics. I am hoping to continue onto vet school after undergrad to become a mixed animal veterinarian! I am originally from Hastings, NE and grew up participating in 4-H and FFA. In 4-H and FFA, I raised and showed swine. At UNL, I have also participated on the 2022 Meat Judging Team and the 2023 Meat Animal Evaluation Team. I joined Block and Bridle my sophomore year to help get experiences within the animal agriculture industry and continue my passion for livestock! This is my first year as an officer and I am looking forward to helping members find connections and other possible careers within the agriculture industry!
Jade Paxton: Vice-President: Beef
My name is Jade Paxton, and I am currently a junior majoring in Veterinary Science with a minor in Animal Science. I grew up in Ringgold, NE where I developed my passion for agriculture. I have a very strong interest in beef reproductive technologies and solutions which I hope to pursue after college in vet school. I joined Block and Bridle so that I could connect with other agriculturalists who are as passionate about the industry as I am. I am excited by the opportunity of growing our club and developing as a leader. Feel free to reach out to me at jadeapaxton@gmail.com.
Corby Cannon: Secretary
My name is Corby Cannon and I am a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am majoring in Animal Science and also in the Pre-Vet program. I am from Silver Creek, Nebraska, and grew up on my family’s ranch. I showed sheep and goats and am currently the superintendent of the goat barn at the Polk County Fair. I am involved in the Block and Bridle Club, Pre-Vet Club, and the Tractor Restoration Club. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan on going to vet school and returning to my family’s ranch to provide veterinary services for the local area.
Greg Treffer: Treasurer
Hello everyone, my name is Greg Treffer. I am majoring in Animal Science and minoring in the beef industry scholars’ program. I grew up in Lexington, Nebraska where my family raises purebred angus cattle as well as quarter horses. I joined Block and Bridle to make connections and learn more about the different industries connected with agriculture. I am looking forward to becoming more involved and help organize club activities. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at gtreffer2@huskers.unl.edu.
Madison Hirschman: Historian
Hello all! My name is Madison Hirschman. I am a freshman majoring in Agricultural Economics (Farm and Ranch Management emphasis) and minoring in the Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars Program, the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, and Animal Science (Livestock Industries). I grew up in St. Paul, Nebraska, on a 500 cow/calf operation, a feedlot, and diversified crop production. I grew up helping my family’s operation and showing cattle and sheep. I currently have two businesses that I operate, 49 County Beef which is a direct beef-to-the-consumer business, and MH Cattle Company where I sell purebred Red Angus and Charolais heifers and bulls while also club calves. I joined Block and Bridle in the fall of my freshman year when I was looking for clubs to join. I was very interested in the club because it was very much related to me and exceeded my expectation. My love for cattle and the beef industry interested me in joining the officer team. I am excited to serve our Block & Bridle Club members this year, represent our chapter, and the university. Feel free to contact me with any questions at madison.hirschman@gmail.com.
Ainsley Strawder: Marshall
My name is Ainsley Strawder and I am a freshman Animal Science - Food Animal Production major, currently on the Pre-Vet track with a minor in the Krustsinger Beef Industry Scholars program. I am a 6th generation to live on my family’s combination cattle/goat operation in Dickens, Nebraska. Outside of class, I spend her time involved in the Block and Bridle Club, FFA Alumni chapter, Pre-Vet Club, and works as a lab assistant in the Histology lab of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to take part in the PPVM program with Iowa State to obtain my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine before returning home to practice as a large animal veterinarian and animal chiropractor.
Donald Holupka: Ambassador
Hi! My name is Donald Holupka, and I am currently a junior at UNL studying Animal Science and hope to continue my education into grad school studying ruminant nutrition. I grew up in Hillsboro, MO, just south of St. Louis. I am also a part of the Livestock Judging and Equestrian teams here at the university. After transferring to UNL at the beginning of the year, I quickly became involved with Block and Bridle as I hoped to meet new people, get involved on campus, and make connections within the Nebraskan ag industry. As Ambassador, I hope to bring in new members, make meetings fun and involved, and spread the passion for agriculture that we all share! Please feel free to contact me with any questions at dholupka2@huskers.unl.edu.