Name: Johanna Ford
Hometown: Bertrand
Affiliated Fund: Bertrand Area Community Fund
School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What excites you most about returning for another summer as a Hometown Intern?
I am most excited to make more connections with the people of my hometown and be an advocate for Bertrand Area Community Fund. Our fund has been working on some incredible things, and I love to be included in the progress.
What did you learn about yourself and your community during your internship last summer?
The biggest revelation that I had last summer was that Bertrand was one of my favorite places to be. I gained so much appreciation and perspective last summer, and it has definitely opened my eyes as to why having a fund is so important.
If you were describing your hometown to a potential visitor, what would you say?
I would say that Bertrand has a lot more to offer than meets the eye. Once you get to know Bertrand, it’s easy to see that we are anything but an average small town. We have a town that is bursting with life and potential!
Everyone has gifts and talents to share. What do you hope to share with your hometown this summer?
This summer, I hope to bring a new perspective to Bertrand. I’ve lived in Bertrand for most of my life, and it has been wonderful to be a part of an organization whose sole purpose is to bring improvement and assets to the community. I hope to bring fresh eyes to what Bertrand needs, can improve upon, and already has.
What should older adults know about your generation of Nebraskans?
Older adults should know that my generation of Nebraskans is driven! We know what we want, and we also know how to work hard in order to achieve those goals. We have an abundance of ideas, an endless amount of work ethic, and incredible potential!
How does belonging play a role in your attachment to your hometown?
Belonging is one of the most important parts when it comes to attachment to a place. Belonging is what makes the heart feel at home. That’s why it is so important for the community to feel welcoming to newcomers and those moving back to their communities, too. The feeling of belonging cannot be manufactured; it is what pulls people home.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your community?
I want my future community to continue to have a school, a grocery store, and our bustling business district. Without those assets, we begin to lose the things that pull people to move to our community.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
I am looking for somewhere safe, clean, and welcoming. I want a place that is willing to grow and change but also stay true to the values it was built upon. A place that is easy to put roots down and a place that I am excited to call home.
If you were designing a future for yourself in your hometown, what would that look like?
I would be working on my family’s Red Angus operation just south of Bertrand, and I would be involved with various community activities! I also hope to renovate the basement of the grocery store in town and create and place for people of all ages to gather and connect.
What’s a piece of advice you have for first year Hometown Interns?
You will get out what you put into this internship! Ask questions, be curious, and do not be afraid to share your perspective and opinion with the older people in your community. They want to know what you have to say! Without young people like us investing in our communities, our communities will die.
