Nelson brings deep roots in Nebraska agriculture and more than a decade of experience in agriculture communications, organizational leadership, and rancher-led conservation. For the past ten months, she has served as NGLC’s Statewide Grassland Coordinator, where she led the development and launch of the Nebraska Grassland Alliance — a collaborative network uniting ranchers, conservation professionals and community leaders around a shared commitment to healthy, working grasslands.
“I’m grateful for the strong foundation so many have helped build over the past two and a half decades at NGLC, and for the growth and positive change Leah led over the past three years,” Nelson said. “I look forward to building on that momentum with the board, staff, and partners as we continue supporting Nebraska’s ranching families and the grasslands we all depend on.”
Nelson’s agricultural roots are in Kimball County, where her family still farms and ranches. She began her career writing for the Certified Angus Beef brand before spending nearly a decade living and working in Montana. There, she served as editor and manager of an award-winning weekly newspaper and later founded an agriculture communications company, providing strategic communications and project management for organizations including the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award Program, and the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance. She returned to Nebraska in 2021 and now resides in Bassett.
As Executive Director, Nelson will work alongside the board and staff to guide strategic direction, partnerships, and programs advancing NGLC’s mission to enhance Nebraska’s grasslands through voluntary technical assistance, education, and public awareness. The board and NGLC staff are deeply grateful for the dedication, leadership, and hard work that former Executive Director Leah Peterson contributed during her tenure.
Nelson began her role as Executive Director on December 29, 2025.
A Big Thank You to Leah Peterson
Leah Peterson served as the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition Executive Director for three years. During her tenure, the organization grew from relying solely on contracted workers to employing dedicated staff and establishing three new employee positions, strengthening NGLC’s capacity to serve producers across the state.
When Peterson stepped into the Executive Director role, funding for Grazing Schools and the Young Adult Ranching for Profit programs was secured. She carried the responsibility of fulfilling the grant deliverables and organizing the staff needed to bring those programs to life. Under her leadership, both initiatives have been highly successful and have made a meaningful impact on participants.
NGLC Assistant Director Angela Redman expressed her appreciation for Leah’s resourcefulness: “One thing I appreciated about her was she always had fresh ideas about the work we could do. If I needed a contact or resource or someone in a topic area, she always had a suggestion.”
Peterson has long been a champion for agriculture and the families who make their living on the land. As a legacy rancher herself, she understands the struggles, challenges, and beauty of agricultural life. Through her writing and photography at Clear Creek Ranch Mom, she connects agricultural families with those outside the industry, sharing honest and thoughtful perspectives on ranching and rural life.
Past NGLC Chairman Tim Kalkowski summed up her dedication simply: “She bleeds NGLC and what it stands for.” We know we’ll continue to see Leah involved as a leader in Nebraska’s agricultural community, and we look forward to what she pursues next.