The Haskell Ag Lab hosted our annual Fall Fest on Sept. 28. The event was open to the public and featured several activities for all ages. The day consisted of apple picking, a scavenger hunt, rock painting, NRCS Urban Ag, food preservation, raised garden beds, and more. Learn more about the activities below and access their resources:
ian peterson, Horticulture, Landscape and Environmental Systems Extension Educator, made fall seed bombs that used local soil and store-bought “mushroom compost.” The clay in the local soil will help bind the seed bombs, and the mushroom compost will provide organic matter for the new plants. Find the handout here.
Food, Nutrition, and Health Extension Educator, Julie Boyle, provided resources on growing and preserving green beans. She had participants try green beans cooked two different ways, both grown in the raised garden beds at the Haskell Ag Lab. One was fresh green beans steamed and seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Second was green beans that had been frozen and roasted with a little bit of olive oil and garlic salt. Participants then voted on their favorite recipe, and the frozen, then roasted green beans, came out as the favorite. Several youths came back for a second and third tasting for both the steamed and roasted green beans. Over all, the green beans were a hit! Learn how to make the Lemony Green Beans here and more about freezing produce here.
Brach Johnson, the Urban Conservationist from USDA-NRCS provided resources for those interested in learning about Urban Ag and gardening in their backyard. Find more information about NRCS and their Urban Ag resources here.
Leslie Johnson, the Animal Manure Management Extension Educator, and Nicole Luhr, the Water and Cropping Systems Extension Educator, talked about the new raised garden beds at Haskell, providing blueprints and costs breakdown for the three types of beds. This year the beds grew green beans and cucumbers. Next year’s plan for the raised garden beds is based on a pasta sauce theme.
The Heartland Organization of Rocketry, or T.H.O.R., led kids through making paper rockets and talked about the large rockets that they built. On October 26th, 10:00 AM to Noon, youth will have the opportunity to build their own rockets and watch them launch. Then stay to see the LARGE rockets in the afternoon. Bring sack lunches. Go to this site for more information and the live launch, http://www.nebraskarocketry.com. Brought to you by The Heartland Organization of Rocketry (THOR). Registration encouraged at https://go.unl.edu/dixoncou4hyouthrocket_20241026.
The UNL College of Agriculture, Science, and Natural Resources (CASNR) was there as well! Tammera Mittelstet, CASNR Statewide Education and Career Pathways Coordinator, shared some great opportunities for students of all ages. She highlighted the CASNR Change Maker Competition. This competition is for 6th-11th grade students, incoming college freshmen, and returning undergraduate CASNR students. Winners of the competitions will win scholarships for the CASNR degree program at UNL. Click here for more information.
We want to thank everyone that was able to come out and enjoy the day. Save the date for our next seasonal event, Winter Fest on Dec. 7, 2024 from 9 am to noon. There will be several activities for kids, or you can register for our greenery workshop (link coming soon).