June 6 at Lincoln South Rotary - Engler Entrepreneurship Program

On June 6, 2025 at Lincoln South Rotary Club, we heard from Tom Field on the UNL Engler Entrepreneurship Program.
Engler provides experiential, community-based learning to help students build their own enterprise from the ground up. Students engage in entrepreneurship the old-fashioned way: they just start doing it.
 
Tom shared the story of the founder, Paul Engler,  who grew up in Bassett, Nebraska in a family of modest means. At age 12 his dad was away on business. Paul rode his horse to the sale barn and bid to purchase a hundred head of cattle. When the sale barn owner asked him how he intended to pay he firmly stated that he would need to loan him the money. The sale barn owner agreed and Paul drove the cattle home. 
 
His mother was fit to be tied and exclaimed "wait until your father gets home". When his father got home he said to Paul "let's check on the cattle". Once there, noticing that the herd hard grown, he asked Paul about it and was told the story. His father took him to the bank to see if he could get a better deal on the loan and, after that , as they walked out he said "I am proud of you, Paul". 
 
That sparked an interest in Paul on entrepreneurship - his father's words empowered him. He graduated from the University of Nebraska and worked for Dinklage cattle feeding operation in Wisner, Nebraska. Later he moved to Texas where he built one of the largest feedlots in the United States.
 
In the name of Paul and Virginia Engler Foundation, a gift of $20million was made to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to pay back to the State and support our communities. Paul believed that students could build sustainable businesses and return to their communities to make a lasting impact.
 
Some were afraid that we would be giving our youth the tools to be successful just to have them leave Nebraska. The goal was, of course, to have them stay in Nebraska. During the Engler courses, they visit Nebraska communities and businesses of alumni to further inspire the undergraduates. 95% of the graduates from the Engler program stay in Nebraska or a state that touches Nebraska. There are currently 150 undergrads enrolled in Engler courses and 450 alumni.
 
Tom shared the mission of the Engler program: Embolden our people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. It is not a degree program, but an opportunity for students to learn beyond their academic programs. It is housed in the agriculture department but is not limited to ag students.
 
The program developed from the student input. It is founded on 6 pillars:
Aspire
Build
Courage
Grit
Passion
Partner
 
Tom continued to talk about how the program is about building - helping students that help communities.
 
While talking about the impact of the program, Tom shared that, in the first decade, Engler has seen:
  • $145,723,000 in gross revenue (conservative - some choose not to talk about the size of their operations; 56 shared)
  • $36,879,000 in 2021 - a rough year
  • 127 employees (45 full time, 82 part time)
  • 85% plan to grow their enterprises
  • 11% plan to sustain at current levels
  • 96% (total of above) plan to stay in Nebraska
Caleb's story
As a freshmen, he enrolled in the Engler program because he heard about it from his sister. He was unsure as he attended his first session. He walked up the stairs to the room only knowing a couple of people who would be there. He was greeted and immediately felt welcome. Others in the room approached him and wanted to get to know him - they were interested in him.
 
He realized that he was surrounded by people who were doing super cool things and later learned that they would be the ones to push him to be the best that he could be.
 
During the 2nd semester the assignment was to start a business - any business. It did not matter if they would succeed or fail. They were given a few dollars to work with and had to write a business plan.
 
Caleb learned how to roast coffee beans in an air fryer in his dorm room which continues today in his apartment. Then there was a "fireside" event that included entrepreneurs and students with opportunity to mingle. Someone approached Caleb and asked if he could taste his coffee. Caleb said it struck him that someone at the event set up that connection made sure they met each other - and there is no gain for that person.
 
He learned the power of connections. The program has built his confidence. The members are there for each other - to help and push each other to grow.
 
Caleb states, "The passion and dedication that our members show for their businesses and the support they show for one another is truly one of a kind."
 
Jenna's story
She stated that much of what Caleb has said applies to her - what the program has done for her, seeing the dedication of the members.
 
In her second course, when she needed to start a business, she had no idea what to pursue. It was Christmas break and she was at home. While in the attic she found a box of leather working materials and tools. She stated that she was probably the least creative person in her school. She had a brother that could draw beautiful pictures and she could hardly draw stick figures.
 
She decided to try her hand at leatherwork. It fit the mission of the program - artists are entrepreneurs. She stated that some of her early work was not great - but some people bought from her which lifted her up - inspired her to learn and improve. 
 
She showed us a new leather craft tool - an expensive tool. She started using the tools she found in the attic. This new, expensive tool as more than a tool. It represented growth and success - it makes a statement.
 
Jenna shared that she appreciates the life long skills that she gained while in the Engler program. She expressed gratitude for the small communities across Nebraska that will benefit from the youth that take those skills back home. She shared that it is exciting to her to wonder how the students 10 years from now will grow the program to the benefit to Nebraska.
 
She stated that she feels the works in the mission statement reflect her experience - . . . pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship.
 
The closing slide that Tom presented tells it all:
We Build People Who Build Enterprises That Build Communities
(https://englerjourney.com/)
 
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BIO

Tom Field, PhD serves the people of Nebraska as the Director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and holder of the Engler Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

An enthusiastic advocate for free enterprise, the potential of young people and opportunities in both agriculture and rural communities, Tom is an internationally recognized educator and innovator who has the ability to connect the dots between people, industries, and ideas.

A fifth generation cattleman who is partnership in a family cow-calf business in western Colorado, he also authors the column “Out of the Box’, consults and advises a number of enterprises and organizations, and is a sought after speaker who challenges and inspires audiences to lead their organizations to excellence by asking the right questions, seeking solutions beyond conventional wisdom, and unleashing the power of focused creativity.

He and his wife Laura and their family live near Raymond, NE. Tom is a native Coloradoan and earned his bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees at Colorado State University.