Nebraska Extension in Morrill County

Local Interest

PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Following harvest, biomulch project enters next phase

The peppers were harvested weeks ago from a small research plot at the Panhandle Center where a type of fabric mulch is being tested for potential use in USDA certified organic produce fields.

During the off season, researchers are checking to see what becomes of the biodegradable mulch, an experimental product from 3M that is being tested to see if it is suitable for USDA-certified organic vegetable production.

Last spring, six rows of peppers were planted through 3-foot-wide strips of mulch. Two different types of mulch, one black and the other white, are being tested. Recently, workers were busy in the plot setting up six different treatment regimens for the harvested plots, to see if the fabric mulch will disintegrate differently under different conditions.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Alternatives to bluegrass

Jim Schild and Gary Stone, Extension Educators, Scotts Bluff County

The single biggest use of water in the average western Nebraska household is irrigating the Kentucky bluegrass lawn.

But there are two alternative turfs that allow homeowners to manage water more efficiently: tall fescue, a cool-season grass, and buffalograss, a warm-season grass. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

Tall fescue can use more water than bluegrass, but its advantage is a deep, extensive root system, which can extend as deep as 2 ½ to 3 feet in western Nebraska soils. The effective rooting depth for Kentucky bluegrass is 6 to 8 inches.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Making decisions about fertilizing and mowing lawns

By Jim Schild and Gary Stone, Extension Educators, UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center

Fertilizing a turf grass lawn is a lot more than just buying a bag of fertilizer and spreading it all in the spring.

There are several decisions to make. One is how much fertilizer to apply; another is when to apply it. And spring is not the best time to apply most of the year's fertilizer.

The goal of a good fertilizer program is to keep growth at a minimum while maintaining a good, thick, dense, well-colored lawn. To reach the goal, at least two-thirds of the fertilizer should be applied during the fall to thicken the turf and help the grass recover after the summer stress.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Building strong families – making time for family

Jackie Guzman, Extension Educator
Scotts Bluff County

Now that children are home from school on summer break, parents can spend the next three months just keeping them busy, or else they can seize an opportunity to build a stronger family and maybe create new traditions.

Many families have their own traditions. As long as I can remember, every December my family’s tradition has been to make tamales together – a very labor intensive process.  Regardless, we all look forward to our annual family gathering.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Cultivating cultural competence in children

        If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships-the ability of all people, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

        The first step to cultivate human relationships starts at home. Children tend to exhibit the behaviors and attitudes that they observe at home.

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Rural Prosperity Nebraska Welcomes Newest Extension Educator

Rural Prosperity Nebraska Welcomes Newest Extension Educator

May 6, 2024
Ben Dutton joins Rural Prosperity Nebraska as the newest member of the community development arm of Nebraska Extension. While Dutton has lived throughout the Midwest and Intermountain West, he graduated high school in Wakefield and has lived in McCook for the last eight years. So Nebraska is home. Dutton will serve the west central portion of the state, including Arthur, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson and Perkins counties. Read below to learn more about him.

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Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop

Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop

April 15, 2024
Overlooking the iconic Platte River, over 100 natural resource professionals and students met to build and foster new collaborations at the first Natural Resources Conservation Connecting Points Workshop.

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Engaging Agriculture: Embryology a classroom springtime favorite

Engaging Agriculture: Embryology a classroom springtime favorite

April 1, 2024
Spring is here, and Nebraska elementary students are busy learning about embryology.

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Conference Focuses on Entrepreneurial Development in Nebraska Communities

Conference Focuses on Entrepreneurial Development in Nebraska Communities

March 29, 2024
Sidney is welcoming community development professionals from across the country for the 6th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference May 1-2.

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