Enroll in Polk County 4-H
4-H is a one-of-a-kind program that offers youth a space to explore their interests and passions. It creates a strong sense of belonging by connecting them with supportive, caring adults who guide their growth. In 4-H, the opportunities are limitless, and your child can achieve remarkable things!
Enrolling is simple and affordable. With dues being a low $5, no one is held back from the wealth of knowledge and experience that awaits you through Polk County 4-H.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women in Livestock Webinar Series
Women who marry into animal agriculture find themselves helping with day-to-day livestock work while navigating an environment where baseline knowledge might be assumed or it feels intimidating asking general questions. To support these women and build confidence around common cattle production decisions, Nebraska Extension in partnership with the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program will host a four-session webinar series, Women in Livestock: Learning the Why Behind the Work, beginning Monday, March 2nd, 2026.
The webinars will be held on the first four Mondays in March – March 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd – from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Central time. Each session will focus on foundational concepts that help explain the “why” behind everyday ranch work.
Pesticide Safety Education Program
Haven't completed your Pesticide Education for 2026? You still have time! For information about private applicator training for certification and licensing, commercial and noncommercial applicator training, chemigation training, and for 2026 in-person training dates and the online private self-study programs, go to https://pested.unl.edu
Some of the local in-person private applicator certification training dates are:
February 24, 12:00 pm, Columbus at the Columbus Field House. Call TJ at 402-352-3821 to register.
March 5, 1:00 pm, Central City at the Merrick County Fairgrounds. Call Steve at 308-946-3843 to register.
More training dates will be added, so check the website.
Nebraska Farm Custom Rates
A survey of agricultural custom operators is conducted in Nebraska every two years. A total of 159 survey responses were received in 2024 with information reflecting the current rates charged by custom operators for machine hire services and other work they provide for neighboring farms and ranches or as part of a business enterprise that covers a broader area. Survey participants identified by Nebraska Extension personnel, or in some cases, self-identified custom operators, received a paper survey or a web link to complete the custom rates survey online.
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. This report provides a summary of State averages for specific custom operations in Table 1. More detailed information covering the results of the custom rates survey by Nebraska Agricultural Statistical Districts is provided in two parts. Part I of the survey focused on spring and summer farm and ranch operations such as planting, tillage, and baling hay. Part II of the custom rates survey included questions about fall operations such as harvesting, hauling grain and livestock, as well as miscellaneous custom work activities on the farm.
