Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska 2025

Never underestimate the power of 4 women that come from Nebraska cattle producer families determined to raise funds for cancer research! In 1998, the vision and hard work of these women, Shari Flaming of Paxton, (now deceased), Barbara Martinson of Scottsbluff, Lynn Timmerman of Springfield, and Kae Pavlik of Yutan, are credited with starting the Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska Inc. Their mission was to raise funds for cancer research for the then Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha. The first Cattlemen's Ball in 1998 was hosted by the Graff/Snover ranch in Ainsworth, Nebraska where they raised $95,000.00.

Today, this 501(c)3 organization has grown and transformed into the one of the biggest events in the state of Nebraska. Their mission is to:

1. Promote beef and a healthy diet

2. Showcase rural Nebraska

3. Raise money for cancer research

This two-day event is held annually on the first full weekend of June, and to date they have raised over 21 million dollars. 90% of the proceeds go to the now Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Centers located across the state, with 10% of the funds staying within the local communities of the host families for health and wellness initiatives.

I spoke with one of the board members, Suzanne Jagels, from Davenport, Nebraska, who was a wealth of knowledge on this great organization. She was kind enough to give me all the background on how this all started. She explained it takes a plethora of volunteers to put on this event. There are eight committee chairmen who are in charge of site location, food, marketing, and finance. In each category there are ten to twelve sub committees that also play a role in each sub section. Finding the location is one of the first things that needs to be done. They keep a running list of cattle producers who have met the criteria to host. They must reside in rural Nebraska, have over 60 acres of land to accommodate tents, parking and camping, and be cattle producers. They are required to turn in a bio, be interviewed, and are considered for over a year. Then there are site visits before the family is chosen. Each year they try to spread the event out across the state so they can showcase all corners of Nebraska.

The planning and taste testing for all the different meals served during this event takes a great deal of time. Each meal has a beef entree, which is to promote Nebraska's largest industry. The number of volunteers it takes to feed over 4500 people is astounding. More volunteers are in charge of marketing, website design, and all social media outlets. Then of course there is the financing. Additional volunteers are out "hitting the pavement" asking businesses, producers, and the general public for donations to support this event. They also are securing items for both the live and silent auctions that will be conducted. Suzanne said, "Every dollar raised is a dollar they didn't have before and this event is our passion and our cause".

This year's event will be held on June 6th and 7th at the ranch of Terry and Bev Acton of Blue Springs, Nebraska. They have worked tirelessly with all the committee members in their dedication to host an event worthy of this great cause. Both born and raised in Nebraska, they spent their entire lives working around farming, cattle ranching, and agriculture. Bev said they "have always had a love for the land and small town community". They are involved in every step of planning the Ball from transportation back and forth from the Beatrice High School to help in planning for all the tents for the different vendors. There will be a beef tent that will host speakers that talk about Nebraska beef and a vendor tent for over 50 participants that will showcase their wares. The Buffet center tent will be open to discuss different procedures you can participate in to screen for certain types of cancer and can help refer to local hospitals for further testing. They help set up the wine tasting tent featuring all Nebraska wines and of course the Cattlemen's Ball wine. She said one of the most popular events is the Style Show that cancer survivors actually participate in. The story of some of their journeys with cancer have been videotaped and will be shown during the meals. Bev said she has met and made so many new friends during this process and is amazed at how dedicated all these volunteers are in making this all work. She and Terry have felt honored to put on this event but will be okay when it is just back to "Terry and me and the cows".

Regular tickets (top hand tickets) are $150.00 and gives you access to all of Saturday events, while a $400.00 trail boss ticket (VIP ticket) gives you access to the Friday night reception, Saturday breakfast, Saturday brunch, and preferred seating for the Saturday night meal and concert. Entertainment this year is country super star Gabby Barrett, and following her, is local country music act from York, Jorden Schoch.

Please check out the website at cattlemensball.com for a list of all the activities and events too numerous to mention here. Ticket sales are closing but I have it on good authority some are still available.

Cancer has touched all our lives in some way or another, so please follow your giving heart and join us for a worthy cause.

Aerial Shot of Cattlemen's Ball Tents by Art Whitton Photography