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Feature stories/news
Siouxland Garden Symnposium
The Siouxland Garden Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 11, at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Sioux City. The annual event offers valuable, research-based information applicable to both home gardeners and small-scale growers.
This year’s symposium will feature a dynamic lineup of experts covering innovative topics in horticulture, including the use of artificial intelligence in the garden, foundational soil health and practical fruit tree cultivation. The event will kick off at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m.
Featured speakers and sessions
Dan Fillius, horticulture field specialist for commercial vegetables with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will deliver the keynote address covering two essential topics: “Using AI in the Garden” and “Growing Cut Flowers in Iowa.”
Fillius managed 140 acres of vegetables in Minnesota and now provides research-based guidance to commercial growers across Iowa. He co-hosts the podcast “What in the Weather?” and draws on years of firsthand experience to help producers enhance their success and sustainability.
Dr. Carolina Cordova, assistant professor and statewide soil health specialist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, will present “Healthy Soil, Happy Gardens: Practical Tips for Testing and Improving Your Soil.” Cordova’s work focuses on advancing soil health, carbon sequestration and resilient cropping systems across Nebraska and beyond, contributing to regenerative agriculture initiatives.
Carol Larvick will cover “Fruit Tree Growing for the Backyard.” Larvick is a retired extension educator and current Nebraska Master Gardener, whose deep love for gardening led her to help develop and sustain the South Sioux City Community Orchard. Having worked with over 150 fruit trees through various seasons of success and setbacks, she continues to share the practical insights and challenges of fruit tree cultivation.
Registration
The cost of registering is $50 and includes lunch. Advance registration is mandatory and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27. Please note that on-site registration will not be available.
For more information or to register, please visit. www.siouxlandgardenshow.org
Land Application (Manure) Training
Workshops Aim to Boost Crop Yields by Improving Manure Management
Turning manure nutrients into improved crop yields while protecting water and soil quality will be the focus of seven Nebraska Extension workshops scheduled across the state in February and March.
“Our workshops focus on choosing the best possible field for manure application and therefore are useful for any crop farmer utilizing manure, even though they have traditionally been attended by livestock producers,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Extension Educator. “The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment’s Title 130.”
The day-long sessions, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, provide DWEE Land Application Training certification. Participants must attend the full program, which includes lunch, to earn certification. Sessions will cover regulatory updates and strategies for using manure effectively on cropland. While certification is available, anyone may attend, including crop farmers and smaller livestock operators seeking practical guidance for their operations.
Because seating is limited and meals are provided, advance registration is required at least one week before each event. Additional sessions may be added if demand is high. Registration is available at water.unl.edu/lat.
The cost is $100 per operation requiring certification—typically larger livestock facilities—or $25 per person for attendees not seeking certification, including smaller livestock producers, crop farmers, NRCS staff, and landlords.
Introducing Snap2Graze!🌱 A new web-based tool that estimates cereal rye forage biomass and suggested stocking rates from a single pasture photo. Just snap, upload, and get instant forage insights. Try it out: https://phrec-irrigation.com/#/forage_estimator
Do you have a written lease agreement for the 2026 grazing season?📄 Ag Lease 101 offers easy‑to‑use pasture lease templates and information to help both landowners and tenants: https://aglease101.org/
February is National Lamb Month—a great time to recognize the hard‑working sheep producers across Nebraska! 🐑 Nebraska Extension offers valuable resources to support sheep producers year-round: https://animalscience.unl.edu/extension-outreach/sheep-and-goat-extension/
Food Safety
Game Day Food Safety
FoodSafety.gov states every coach has a winning game plan. What’s your plan for your Super Bowl eats? Strategizing now can help prevent foodborne illness in your household and reduce food waste later. https://go.unl.edu/superbowlfoodsafety #UNLFoodSafety
Clean Your Hands Often
The Holidays fall right in the middle of cold and flu season. Research has proven that washing your hands at least eight times per day reduces your chances of becoming ill. Make hand washing a priority this season to stay healthy! For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/ #UNLFoodSafety
Food Safety for Game Day
Getting ready to tackle a game day spread? 🏈 Make sure your favorite dishes are remembered for all the right reasons! 🥳 Follow these essential tips to keep food poisoning off the field. https://go.unl.edu/superbowlfoodsafety #UNLFoodSafety"
Preparing for Gameday
"Did you know over half of all foodborne illnesses come from unclean hands? 🦠 The best defense is washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, both before and after handling food. This simple step is crucial when preparing food for others. 🧼🍽 Keep your team safe and score big on food safety this weekend! 🏈 Learn more here: https://go.unl.edu/gamedayfood #UNLFoodSafety"
Haskell Happenings
Haskell Happenings Newsletter
Stay up to date with what's happening at the Haskell Ag Lab by subscribing to our e-newsletter!
Find our latest edition here: https://hal.unl.edu/haskell-happenings-newsletter/
