By Fran tenBensel Benne | Agronomy and Horticulture
Zach Nienhueser, a senior agronomy major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, received first place in the 2024 Northern Business Unit Intern of the Year Scholarship Awards presented by Helena Agri-Enterprises.
Eighteen students from 12 universities participated in the 2024 Helena Northern Business Unit intern class. This scholarship award encourages creativity, innovation and hard work among the intern team and assists with college expenses. For exceptional performance and personal growth as a Helena intern, Nienhueser received $1,000 toward his education.
Winning this award does not surprise Nienhueser’s academic adviser and Professor of Practice Anne Streich.
“This is Zach’s third internship during his time at UNL, each with a different business that has a slightly different agronomy focus,” Streich said. “His willingness to diversify his internships has allowed him to gain valuable knowledge, skills and professional connections that will serve him well as he moves into a professional role after graduation.”
A native of York, Nebraska, Nienhueser attributes his involvement in several university campus organizations in helping him secure a Helena internship.
“My participation in both on- and off-campus clubs, such as the Agronomy Club, the UNL Crops Judging Team and SALT demonstrated my commitment to campus involvement and leadership within these groups,” he said.
Helena offers internships to college students across the Midwest every summer and also this fall 2024. During the summer, Nienhueser worked as a sales and agronomy intern in Norfolk, Nebraska. He interacted with customers and prospects and assisted with agronomic and precision activities. His area of focus involved enhancing seed sales with in-season services and product recommendations through the Helena Acre™, a full-service crop management program.
According to the company, his efforts in analyzing field conditions, supporting Helena’s staff and responding to grower needs throughout the internship helped improve business.
