In Nebraska, agriculture isn’t just an industry; it’s a way of life. With more than 44,000 farms and ranches across all 93 counties, the rural and spread-out nature of agricultural communities makes it challenging to reach them with health information. But one program is changing that.
Pesticide Applicator Training connects with thousands of Nebraska producers each year, teaching safe chemical handling and reducing exposure risks. Now, it’s also helping bring cancer prevention and screening education directly to people who need it most.
Rural Nebraskans face higher cancer risks and often have less access to preventive care. Traditional outreach doesn’t always reach these communities, but trusted programs do.
A new partnership between the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and Nebraska Extension embeds cancer education directly into pesticide training sessions, making it easier to reach producers in a meaningful, practical way.
“We’re bringing cancer prevention and screening education directly to people in settings they already trust,” said Rachael L. Schmidt, APRN-NP, assistant director for Cancer Education and Screening, Community Outreach & Engagement. “By meeting individuals where they are, we are expanding awareness and connecting more Nebraskans to lifesaving screening.”
The connection is a natural fit.
“Pesticide Applicator Training is fundamentally about risk reduction,” said Hannah Guenther, statewide rural health Nebraska Extension educator and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center representative. “Expanding that conversation to include cancer helps them recognize that there are multiple ways to reduce health risks—whether that means wearing proper protective equipment in the field or talking to a healthcare provider about recommended screenings.”
Since January 2026, the program has reached more than 600 agricultural producers across Nebraska, with programs integrating short, 5–15 minute education segments covering cancer screening guidelines, and resources for follow-up care.
Early feedback is encouraging. “Educators reported that the content fit seamlessly into existing sessions, and several participants said they plan to discuss cancer screenings with their healthcare provider,” Guenther said. “We are hopeful this approach will lead to increased awareness, earlier detection, and ultimately improved health outcomes in rural Nebraska communities.”