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Course participants will work through the financial statements of a case study farm, watching pre-recorded videos, completing assignments and participating in video chats to learn more about how big changes to their operation will affect their bottom line.

Find out which team won this year's Innovative Youth Corn Challenge and learn more about the research competitors conducted in their projects — plus, registration now open for the 2022 competition.

A new study led by Daren Redfearn, professor of agronomy and horticulture and forage systems specialist, is exploring whether a targeted restoration of perennial grasses amid cropland could bring about a variety of benefits. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication) The project will focus how a targeted restoration of perennial grasses amid cropland could bring about a variety of benefits, ranging from reduction in water and fertilizer use to expansion of wildlife habitat to encouragement of new bioenergy industry.

USDA/Flickr (Public Domain) An in-depth analysis of the factors driving fertilizer prices in 2022, as well as recommendations for managing input costs.

USDA/Flickr (Public Domain)

At the Tilden Public Library, Nebraska Extension Educator Amanda Kowalewski welcomes residents to the first discussion of the Entrepreneurial Community Activation Process program. When meeting with community members for the first time, she often asks about their hopes, dreams and challenges for their community.

“I really want to know their perspective,” Kowalewski said.

As a Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension educator, she knows it’s not her job to fix communities, but to learn how to help locals where they most want help.

Curtis Mahnken, extension economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota, was the featured speaker during the recent "Developing Your Business Plan with AgPlan" webinar.

USDA/Flickr (Public Domain)

In 2021, over 100 Nebraska On-Farm Research Network projects were conducted on cover crops, row spacing, planting population, starter fertilizer, drones, sensors and models for nitrogen management, and variable-rate seeding technology.

Figure 1. John Thomas rides a horse at 4-H Horse Camp several years ago in Fort Robinson, Nebraska. Like many of his extension colleagues, Thomas is heavily involved in 4-H, helping other educators and leaders with presentations and projects for 4-H members. There can be no doubt — John Thomas is a multi-talented multi-tasker. Learn more about his winding road to extension in this installment of Digging into Extension.

The fourth annual Silage for Beef Cattle Conference is free for producers to attend in-person at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center in Ithaca, Nebraska, or virtually. The fourth annual Silage for Beef Cattle Conference will highlight small grain production concerns such as agronomic management for silage, harvest timing, fermentation analysis, inoculants, ROI and more.

Cody Creech, dryland cropping systems specialist and research supervisor at HPAL, discusses a research project during the 2020 HPAL update. This year, Creech's presentation will focus on wheat production and management. (CropWatch file photo)

Participants will learn more about native prairie and the potential ways it can benefit a farm's viability while restoring landscapes while connecting with other growers and resource providers.

Nebraska 4-H is now accepting state-level volunteer award nominations. The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Awards honors adult and youth volunteers, as well as multi-generational families, who have provided meaningful contributions to the 4-H program. One Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award and One Emerging Adult Volunteer Award winner will be chosen for each of the state’s 11 Nebraska Extension Engagement zones. One statewide winner will be named in each of the youth volunteer and multi-generational family categories.

“Our 4-H volunteers go above and beyond to serve Nebraska’s youth every year,” said Jill Goedeken, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator. “This volunteer recognition opportunity debuted in 2021 and we were thrilled at the number of outstanding 4-H volunteers nominated statewide. We are looking forward to another opportunity to recognize 4-H volunteers for their contributions to youth in Nebraska.”

The nomination period runs through March 15. Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteer, special interest volunteer, such as robotics or shooting sports, afterschool club volunteer, or 4-H camp volunteer. 

Winners will be announced virtually the week of April 18, in which Nebraska 4-H will be celebrating the Week of the Volunteer. A special awards presentation will take place at the 2022 Nebraska State Fair.

Volunteer Recognition Details & Nomination Form

A spring pasture mix of oats and ryegrass. (Photo by Jerry Volesky) Extension educators discuss considerations for spring annual forages in Nebraska, and optimum timing for cereal grain crop harvest for silage.

Now through April, USDA NASS will survey Nebraska farmers and ranchers about agroforestry practices they may use on their land, including windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping, forest farming and multi-story cropping.