Feature stories/news
Center for Agricultural Profitability
Quick Links: Ag Budget Calculator | Land Link
The interdisciplinary Center for Agricultural Profitability is based in the Department of Agricultural Economics. It facilitates faculty research, conducts extension outreach related to agricultural profitability and farm and ranch management and trains undergraduate and graduate students — all to support informed decision-making in agriculture.
Nebraska Custom Rates Surveys and Reports for farm and ranch operations provide custom operators and those who pay for their work with average market rate data for dozens of services performed across the state. The traditional Nebraska farm custom rates report is typically published in even-numbered years. A new survey related to custom livestock work began in 2023, with a second survey and report completed in 2025.
Actual rates paid for custom services may vary from those listed in these survey results due to differences in the operators responding and those providing services across the State.
Pesticide Safety Education Program
The Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in concert with Extension Specialists, Extension Educators, and other collaborators, provides educational and training programs that address human health, the environment, economic well being, and pesticide safety.
Find the Training You Need - https://pested.unl.edu/
- Commercial and Noncommercial Applicator Training for Online and in-person for certification and licensing
- Private Applicator Training for Online and in-person for certification and licensing
Private Applicator Training
In-person training will begin Jan. 1, 2026. Until then, you can still certify for a private applicator license by completing an online training program for private applicators or passing a private applicator exam.
- Harlan County PSEP Trianing: February 17 at the Harlan County Ag Center 9:30am and 1:30pm. Cost: $60
- 2026 PSEP Private Training Dates (Additional training dates will be added. If you don't see trainings in your area, check again later.)
Online training
- Online private self-study program
- Programa de autoaprendizaje en línea para aplicador privado de pesticida
NOTICE: If you enroll in an online private applicator training program in 2025, you must finish it by December 31, 2025, to receive certification credit. You will not be able to recover your progress after that date. The 2026 online private applicator training programs will become available on January 1, 2026.
LOCAL EXPERTS
2026 Harlan County Fair
July 27-31, 2026
4-H ENROLLMENT
4-H Enrollment is open and at no charge to youth to enroll.
To learn more about Enrollment Steps to enroll for the 2025/2026 4-H year!
Project selection is optional. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs.
While project selection is optional, it is encouraged for youth to select projects they are interested in exploring.
Enrollment Website: https://v2.4honline.com/
Tractor & Equipment Safety Training
Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment. In Nebraska, Nebraska Extension and CS-CASH collaborate to offer NSTMOP certification. Certification is earned by completing a two-day certification course, which includes a written test and a driving exam. Successful completion grants NSTMOP certification, allowing youth to operate tractors and certain mechanized equipment on farms and ranches, and obtain a husbandry permit. The cost of the course is $40 and includes educational materials, the online learning link (if applicable), supplies, and lunch and snacks at in-person trainings. Payment will be made via credit card if registering online or via check if registering by mail.
To Learn more and to register for a date, check out the link: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html
Youth under 14 years of age can attend Day 1 if accompanied by an adult but cannot drive equipment, attend Day 2, or become certified. Students under 14 must register but won’t be charged a fee.
