Nebraska LEAD XXI Fellow/Spouses Dinner

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” That quote, by my hero Abraham Lincoln, is one I think all leaders should remember and reflect on regularly in their life, and so I pass it on to each of you. I wish each member of this LEAD group the character to use power wisely, with compassion and integrity, and a strong-sense of justice and fair play.

Nebraska Lead XX Morning Meeting

Good morning. I am delighted to be with you here this morning to offer my congratulations and my best wishes as you complete the LEAD program. This is a wonderful and significant accomplishment, and I certainly hope you all are celebrating and savoring it. I look forward with enthusiasm to watching your future contributions as leaders in agriculture, in your local communities, in Nebraska, and in our global community. I'd like to start my remarks this morning with one question: How many people in this room have ridden an elephant? Show of hands?

A CURRENT EXAMINATION OF DIETARY INTAKES OF FIBER, CALCIUM, IRON, AND ZINC AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN U.S. CHILDREN AGED 1-5 YEARS

A CURRENT EXAMINATION OF DIETARY INTAKES OF FIBER, CALCIUM, IRON, AND ZINC AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN U.S. CHILDREN AGED 1-5 YEARS Stephanie Ann Melchert, M.S. University of Nebraska, 2010 Adviser: Kaye Stanek Krogstrand The effect of lead on the health and well-being of those exposed has been well documented and many efforts have been made to reduce exposure of lead to the United States population. Despite these efforts, many studies have documented cognitive impairments and behavioral problems in children with even low levels of lead in their blood. Previous studies have suggested that a proper diet may have a role in the prevention of elevated blood lead levels in children. The objective of this study was to determine if there was an inverse correlation of blood lead levels (BLL) in children to their dietary intakes of fiber, calcium, iron, and zinc considering low levels of lead exposure. This study examined 1019 children in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2005-2006. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlations to correlate continuous variables to BLL in children and independent samples t-tests were used to compare mean blood lead levels of categorical variables. Results indicate that BLL in children is significantly correlated with and weight, recumbent length/standing height, dietary fiber intake and continine, a marker of cigarette smoke exposure. BLL was not significantly correlated with calcium, iron, zinc, or vitamin C. A significant difference was found in the mean BLL of children who took supplements, lived in smoking homes, as well as those who lived in homes built before 1978. Overall, this study shows that children living in homes built before 1978 remain at greater risk for lead exposure, and adequate dietary fiber intake may provide benefits to children who are exposed to lead.

LEAD Presentation

Thank you for inviting us to share with you some information about the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and what we are doing for Nebraska. As a stakeholder in Nebraska's land-grant university, you and every other Nebraskan have every right at any time to ask us what we've done for you and your neighbors lately. We welcome the question. There is so much excellent work being accomplished on this campus and throughout Nebraska that I am delighted each time I have the opportunity to talk about it. The biggest problem I find is stopping - there's always so much more to say - than there is time to say it in!

LEAD Luncheon Remarks

Folks, we're just delighted to have you on campus with us, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity to speak with you.

LEAD Presentation - Shout It Out

Good afternoon, everyone. Those of us representing the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources are pleased to be here with you today. We welcome you to IANR Shout It Out, the exciting Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources game that allows you to test your IANR and Nebraska knowledge, learn exciting new facts, and most importantly of all win prizes!

LEAD Group Presentation

Let me begin today by offering my congratulations to each of you who is a member of this new LEAD class. You are embarking upon a truly exciting, rewarding opportunity, important to both you and Nebraska. Our state needs good leaders, people dedicated to keeping our organizations, communities, and Nebraska strong, and moving forward. We need leaders of courage and compassion, able to think clearly, assess information, formulate a plan, and adjust that plan as needed. We need leaders who work toward a common good.