Trade mission on to Germany: Pillen to speak at EuroTier cattle and pig event

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen wraps up the first part of a trade and diplomatic mission to Central Europe this weekend with meetings in the Czech Republic — including with Czech alumni who studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — before heading to Germany.

Pillen and a state delegation arrived Thursday in the Czech Republic, welcomed with a reception at the home of U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet.

Friday, the governor went from the U.S. Embassy in Prague to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he and leaders of the Nebraska National Guard discussed Nebraska’s 30-year military partnership with the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic. 

“The Czech Republic is easily one of our strongest allies,” said Col. John Williams, director of joint staff. “They were with us immediately after 9/11 and have proven themselves time and again to be resourceful, competent soldiers and airmen.”

He said the Nebraska National Guard engagements with the Czech military range from mission planning to cybersecurity.

The Nebraska straveling delegation includes representatives from the Nebraska Departments of Agriculture and  Economic Development, the Nebraska National Guard, the University of Nebraska and the agriculture and banking industries. Their mission goes through Nov. 14.

Pillen and state agricultural leaders also participated in a roundtable discussion with Czech Ministry of Agriculture representatives, who signed a letter of intent to collaborate with Nebraska on veterinary measures, livestock production and scientific research exchange.

“Czechs see the world similarly as we do in Nebraska; we’re both very pragmatic, straightforward people,” Pillen said in a media release. “Our conversations here have been about creating partnerships, asking ‘how can we make each other better?’”

Pillen said he wants to “build relationships all over the world” to open markets to Nebraska products.

The state delegation is to wrap up the first leg of its trip with a reception featuring Czechs who have studied at UNL. The NU flagship began offering Czech language instruction in 1907, Pillen’s office said, becoming one of the first U.S. universities to do so. 

UNL continues to offer a Czech Studies minor and has collaborative partnerships with Czech universities. The reception was an opportunity to explore additional educational and cultural exchange opportunities.

The Governor’s Office noted Nebraska’s longstanding cultural ties to the Czech Republic. From the mid-1850s to the 1910s, an estimated 50,000 Czechs settled in Nebraska. By the early 20th century, Nebraska had welcomed more Czech immigrants, per capita, than any other state. 

Earlier this year, Pillen signed Legislative Bill 140, creating Czech Heritage license plates.  

On Sunday, the Nebraska delegation heads to Germany, where members are to promote Nebraska agricultural products, equipment and technologies. 

The delegation will take part in EuroTier, the largest international trade show for animal agriculture, where Pillen is to give the keynote address at EuroTier’s International Cattle & Pig Event Nov. 11. 

In 2023, Nebraska exported $111 million of beef to the European Union, more than any other U.S. state, the Governor’s Office said.

“European consumers place a high value on sustainability,” Pillen said in the release. “Nebraska’s low-carbon production of food, feed, and fuel can help meet this demand.”