Nicole Ramirez - Portfolio

In 2020, I had the opportunity to redesign the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's website, nda.nebraska.gov. I spent much of the year determining how our staff and constituents were using our website, taking their feedback to help me make improvements to the usability and design of the website. We added several new features and reorganized content. Highlights included the addition of a records request portal and a searchable inspection report database. The records request portal saved staff time by fulfilling several commonly-requested items, of which were requested more than 800 times in 2021. The website was designed to be more mobile friendly, too, to better serve Nebraskans on the go.

I regularly work on graphic design projects at the department, but am particularly proud of the NDA Feature and our Commodity and Trade Profiles. They have been heavily used by our department and we frequently receive compliments on how informative and well-designed they are:

The NDA Feature tells the stories of the people, products and programs that contribute to the success of Nebraska's agriculture industry. My coworker and I work collaboratively to develop these quarterly stories.
The Commodity and Trade Profiles highlight statewide production and exports and how trade ultimately brings value to every county in the state. These profiles are utilized on international trade missions and with international trade groups. Additionally, these profiles are used by Nebraska commodity boards, congressmen and senators, and by the Governor's Office.

Additionally, I am responsible for the creation of several e-newsletters at the department. These e-newsletters are created collaboratively with coworkers, with my primary focus on design. We utilize MailChimp for these e-newsletters.

The Nebraska Ag Update is a weekly e-newsletter that I designed and am responsible for sending to our 560+ subscribers on Fridays.
The Plant Health Protection Update is a e-newsletter that is periodically sent out, usually quarterly. I designed this newsletter and work with one our ag program specialists for the newsletter content.

Videos » View all

Heritage Presbyterian Church - April 12, 2020 Worship Service (Easter Sunday)

I assisted with producing worship videos during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. My husband and I worked together to film elements of worship, then I edited together the final video of the services.

Process Improvement with Director Wellman

Hear from Director Wellman on how NDA is using process improvement to make positive changes.

Teammates Alyssa Kracke, Dale Fangmeier and Charlie Hubenka share their thoughts on how process improvement has helped them in their work.

Pump and Meter Inspections with Mike Johnson

Did you know that the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is working for you at the fuel pump? NDA's Weights and Measures staff work to ensure the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices. See how inspector Mike Johnson makes sure you're getting what you pay for at the pump.

Emerald Ash Borer with Julie Van Meter

Did you know that emerald ash borers can be spread through the movement of infested ash nursery stock, ash firewood and other ash material? Entomology Program Manager Julie Van Meter shares more about how NDA inspectors are conducting nursery stock inspections and checking for insect and disease problems.

NextGen and the Godbersen Family Farm

When brothers Jack and Austen Godbersen, of Wisner, Nebraska, wanted to go back home to farm, there was a need to find additional land for the family farming operation to remain successful. Learn how they used NextGen to get a head start in farming and expand Godbersen Farms along the way.

Information on the NextGen program can be found at www.nextgen.nebraska.gov.