Bill Luckey of Columbus will be honored as the 78th member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Block and Bridle Hall of Fame.
Luckey will be honored April 20 at the Department of Animal Science and Block and Bridle annual honors banquet at 6 p.m. at the Nebraska East Union on UNL's East Campus. Tickets to the banquet are $20 and can be purchased by calling Andi Hallberg by April 18 at 402-472-6440 or emailing ahallberg2@unl.edu. A reception for Luckey and his family, friends and past honorees will precede the banquet at 5:30 p.m.
The Block and Bridle Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made commendable contributions to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects and community activities.
Luckey was raised on a family farm northeast of Columbus. From a very early age Luckey demonstrated an interest in agriculture, particularly animal agriculture. As a youth, he was a member of the Silver Stars 4-H Club. Among many club activities, showing cattle and participating in the club's livestock judging team were among his favorites.
While attending Columbus High School, Luckey was a member of the school's FFA chapter. Luckey graduated high school in 1973 and began his college career at Central Community College-Platte Campus. Luckey ultimately transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a bachelor's degree in animal ccience in 1977. In 1978, he married Nancy, and in the same year he took over the family farm.
The Luckey family epitomizes the spirit and determination of the family farmers who are the backbone of the agriculture industry in Nebraska. Luckey considers his greatest accomplishment to be raising a family with his wife, Nancy.
All of the members of the Luckey family (Bill, Nancy, Ryan, Lucas, Michael and Kyle) are involved in agriculture. Luckey continues to manage the family farm's grain and livestock operations. The farm includes about 400 acres of farmland with two 2,000-head hog finishing barns. In addition, the farm maintains approximately 100 cow/calf pairs. The livestock units provide the outlet through which much of the farm's grain is marketed.
In addition to his full-time job managing the family farm, Luckey is a proven leader at the local, state and national levels and has demonstrated a true passion for promoting the agriculture industry. Luckey has excelled in leadership roles with the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, the National Pork Board and the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence.
Through a long track record of participation in the Nebraska LEAD and the National Pork Board Operation Main Street Programs, Luckey has made countless presentations conveying the positive message of the livestock industry to the public.
Luckey's dedication to the industry is also evident in his service to youth including involvement in the Platte County 4-H program and the "Life on the Farm" extension programs for urban school children.
The Department of Animal Science in UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is part of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.