"My son Preston was a first year detasseler. He loved it! On the evening before the last day I found him tearing up, and when I asked what was wrong he said he was sad for detasseling to be over. Hard to believe a 13-year-old boy would be sad for such a physically exhausting job to be done, but he loved it for the friendships and experiences! Thank you for running such a wonderful business that both of my kids have enjoyed! "

"I want to thank you for the opportunity you gave my grandson this summer, Thomas K. The change in his maturity level after working at NATS this summer is amazing!!! Thomas will be starting high school refreshed with a new sense of confidence and self-worth for a hard job well done! He never once complained about the early mornings and I know that's because he enjoyed going to work. He made lots of new friends and even commented "everyone is so nice!". That wasn't always the case in middle school and it opened up his eyes to the fact there are really nice people in this world. He's already looking forward to next summer. I am so proud of him. He learned a lot this summer, both about hard work and comradely, which will have such a positive influence on him going forward. This wouldn't have been possible without you and NATS, so thank you from the bottom of my heart! Update: The transition to high school has gone really well and I think his work experience last summer made all the difference. He is excited to detassel again this summer and I know he missed it when it ended. I also can't believe he has still has about $1,000 in his bank account!"

"I have worked for NATS for six years and I have loved it every year. It is a great opportunity to make money and spend time with some great people."

"I detasseled last year and it was very fun with all of the people you meet and relationships you make. It's not as hard as everyone says! Plus, you kind of forget you are working because you don't feel like it's that hard."

"I have enjoyed my employment with NATS for the past two summers and feel that the work has helped give me confidence in myself, helped me to better interact with others my age, and I feel pride every day after we have completed the work. As I get older, there are more job opportunities available, but working for NATS in the summer is something that I look forward to and provides a way for me to earn money while creating a great work ethic and having some fun, too."

"I have detasseled with NATS in the past and I really love the camaraderie that develops between my bus members. NATS is a truly unique company in how they treat their employees. It is made clear that our well being is the first priority. I also adore the feeling of exhaustion after a day of detasseling. Detasseling has taught me the value in persevering and various leadership qualities. I was even blessed to have been awarded a top five the last season. I hope to continue my work with this company this coming summer. "

"NATS has a reputation that is superb. I have had many friends detassel for NATS in years past and the reports I have heard speak volumes of the character of the company. The excellent work ethic and standard of exceptional performance appeal to me greatly. The community among workers and buses is an added bonus. The speed, thoroughness, and general efficiency associated with your company is the ideal setting for someone who values hard work, determination, and quality to work in. I also admire the standard of character that is expected from those you employ in the way they act, speak, and work."

" I have enjoyed detasseling for NATS the last five years, and am so glad to have met many great people along the way. Without NATS I would not be the hardworking and driven individual that I am today. I would love to come back and detassel another year."

"I have worked with NATS for the past three years and it's been such a joy! I absolutely love the company and every single bus involved with NATS. I have had the best experiences with this company."

"I would like to work with NATS because they have the best wages for the most hours that I can get at my age. I greatly enjoyed the work environment last year and made many friends. It is nice to have someone who expects you to do a good job."

"NATS has always held a special place in my heart. The first year was impactful to me on so many levels, and each year after that was even more so. There is something about a bunch of excellent people coming together to tackle a difficult job in a relatively short period of time that can set an atmosphere of goodness. I have learned so much from NATS in terms of leadership, hard work and corn. Being a leader is really about being a servant. It's dedicating your life to those around you. Work has the stereotypical view of being something that is bad, especially hard work, but that is only true if you let it be. NATS has taught me that hard work is rewarding. Being willing and capable to do hard work is important. Most importantly, I have learned so much about the corn plant; it's unbelievable. This is an important skill for a Nebraskan! All of these things that I have experienced are why I want to detassel again. I want to keep growing in my leadership skills and in my work ethic. "

"Last year was so much fun and it was a good experience. I enjoyed being around other good influences my age. It's a good opportunity to (like in your motto), earn cash and build character. People told me after detasseling season was over, I was more attentive and a harder worker. My best friends and I have been counting down the days until sign up ever since the last day in August. It was an indescribable experience and I can't wait to hopefully come back this season."

"Thanks so much for a great season! While she probably won't admit it, I think Harper not only survived detasseling season, she actually thrived. Until the very end (when she got a bit owly), she was always in a great mood and had funny stories to tell us about her day. She's already talking about next year. Our older daughter detasseled last year for a different company and her experience was less-than-stellar. She stuck it out, but it wasn't much fun. Lauren was often shocked about how good Harper's experiences were and the nice things you did for the crews. We're thankful for you taking her on and that she got this great experience."

"On a personal note, I am so grateful for all that you do to serve the families of your employees–from the meeting, paper work demos, phone tree, the website, tips–and for all the detail and work involved in wrangling up all the kids and teaching them a positive work ethic in a positive environment. It was very challenging work, but our son did it with commitment, pride and a lot of duct tape. (Thanks for that tip!)"

"I’d like to thank you for your efforts to develop NATS. I am impressed with how you try and meet the needs of all your clients–producer, employee, and parents. As a parent I am thrilled to find an organization with high standards of performance and character."

"Dawn, thank you for being such an amazing boss to work with. I have had many, many jobs in the past and there is not one manager or boss that even comes close to how you treat me and the others you are in charge of. Every year your attitude towards us is the same as well, and you don’t become a jerk like most bosses are when they have a lot of power. For that, I am thankful. You are a very generous person as well, and I pray that God blesses you for that. Your kindness is not forgotten. Also, thank you so much for the pay raise. Like I said earlier, this season I was in great need of money, and this job along with your bonuses (kindness) has made my trip to Africa much more possible. Before detasseling I was expecting to have to take a loan out to go on this trip, but now I don’t have to."

"As parents we have wanted to give our daughters opportunities to know the value of hard work, and NATS has provided that for us. My husband and I have appreciated the high standard that is required of them, excellent working environment, and knowing the value of a dollar. Thank you, NATS!!!!"

"Although I got into detasseling in order to build my bank account, the money that I made over a four-year period was just a portion of the benefits produced by hard work and determination. Every day was an opportunity to receive wages while getting a bronze summer tan, working out (walking several miles each day), and hanging out with my friends on the crew, while walking up and down the rows of corn. It also taught me leadership skills as I was usually a squad leader in charge of anywhere from 2-6 coworkers, checking their rows for accuracy. One of the greatest benefits though, was the respect and hardworking reputation that comes along with being a veteran detasseler. I’ve had three jobs, one college career, and am currently employed as a physical therapist. I have never met a manager or a peer who was unimpressed with my job history of detasseling. I am forever grateful to Dawn Buell and NATS Detasseling for such a positive work environment and the benefits that I continue to reap. Four years of detasseling? The price of my first car. The respect and admiration I earned for life? Priceless."

"People are always impressed when I say I’ve detasseled for the last three summers. It’s hot, hard work, and I’m so not a morning person, but every year, I’ve been sad to see the season end. Last summer on the Messiah bus was awesome! We had so much fun both on and off the bus with the ‘rose ceremonies,’ Sonic slushies, Yogurtini, and Valentino’s! I have made some great friends through NATS, and I might not have ever met them otherwise! "

"I have greatly enjoyed working with NATS over the years. The workers all gain a sense of what it means to earn their money and a great sense of teamwork. I admire the integrity and respect shown by the bus drivers and the bus assistants towards the workers."

"I love the comradeship that it promotes and the great people that I get to hang out with every day. It goes without saying that I also enjoy the money, but there is more to it than that. I really value the friendships and good times that you can’t get anywhere else than at 5 o’clock in the morning on a muddy bus"

"Thank you for providing our boys with such a rewarding job when they detasseled for you this summer. Not only did they learn the value of hard work by getting the reward of their first paychecks, but they had a fun time meeting some other great kids and working for your top-notch staff people. Thanks again for a great experience. Our family loved reading your daily updates, and your spiritual messages meant so much. We hope the boys will be invited back next year."

"Having detasseled with NATS for five years, I have worked with several different NATS buses. NATS has always been staffed by individuals with a deep sense of integrity. As the company’s high rate of returning workers attests, there is no other detasseling company with such committed leaders."