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(83) stories found containing 'nebraska department of agriculture'


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  • Sheep producers send thousands of pounds of wool to landfills. A Nebraska business aims to change that.

    Lori Potter, Flatwater Free Press|Oct 16, 2024

    One word best defines how Megan Landes-Murphy and her husband Tom Murphy met, made career choices and launched a unique-to-Nebraska business. Sheep. Neither spent much time around the animals while growing up in northwest Wisconsin and the Omaha area, respectively. Now, they have sheep, a few chickens and two Great Pyrenees dogs named Milo and Birdie on their 12-acre ranch east of the small south-central Nebraska town of Lawrence. Two years ago, Landes-Murphy launched Kestrel Ridge Pellet Co.,...

  • Deadline approaching for USDA relief program

    Jul 24, 2024

    Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the deadline for commodity and specialty crop producers to apply for the Emergency Relief Program for 2022 natural disaster losses is Aug. 14. USDA's Farm Service Agency began accepting ERP 2022 applications in October 2023. "If natural disasters impacted your farm or ranch in 2022, there's still time to submit your application for Emergency Relief Program assistance," said Tim Divis, FSA acting state executive director for Nebraska. "Don't...

  • Transition Incentives Program provides an alternative for expiring CRP contracts

    Cynthia Farmer, Senior policy associate Center for Rural Affairs|Jul 3, 2024

    Conservation Reserve Program contracts in Nebraska are set to expire on more than 150,000 acres before the end of 2026, leaving landowners with the decision of what to do next. One option to consider is a unique program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency-the CRP-Transition Incentives Program. When a CRP contract expires, landowners typically choose to either re-enroll their acres or bring them back into production. The decision may depend on a number of factors, in...

  • On My Honor

    LuAnn Schindler, Publisher|Jun 26, 2024

    Early on a hot, summer Monday morning, a string of cars line Nebraska Street in Clearwater. They slip out of their vehicles and trek across a driveway to a mint-green stand, complete with crock pots, mini fridge and drop box. The sign in front of it says it all: Self serve stand open. Welcome to Rollin' Farm Stand, the brainchild of Haily Schlecht. It's a little bit produce stand, a little bit grab-and-go food source. No matter how it's labeled, it's filling Clearwater residents' stomachs with...

  • DeKay reflects on Legislative session

    Sen Barry DeKay|Apr 24, 2024

    On April 18, the Legislature completed its work for this 60-day legislative session. Although the last day is typically reserved for veto overrides and closing remarks, the Legislature also took action on 15 bills remaining on Final Reading. Notably, the governor’s proposed property tax package contained in LB388 stalled when it became clear that the bill did not have the votes to break a filibuster. LB388 was then passed over on the agenda at the request of the introducing senator, meaning t...

  • Legislature entering final three weeks

    Sen. Barry Dekay|Mar 27, 2024

    This week, my personal priority bill, LB1301, was put before the Unicameral for the first stage of consideration. LB1301 would modernize our state’s existing laws relating to foreign land ownership. The bill would add greater oversight and tighten restrictions on so-called restricted entities or their agents, trustees or fiduciaries, referenced in two federal lists: the persons and entities designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the six countries designated as foreign a...

  • Summerland students' steel project selected for Norfolk home show

    LuAnn Schindler, Publisher|Mar 13, 2024

    One of the most iconic symbols of Nebraska and its history still dots the state's landscape, blades circling in the air, pumping clean clear water from the ground. Three Summerland students believe a windmill designed and constructed at the school will pay homage to Nebraska's roots - and be a visitor favorite - at this week's Norfolk Home and Garden Show at the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex in Norfolk. The 12-foot windmill, designed by Summerland sophomore Caydence Schumacher, and...

  • Medical care funding discussed in session

    Sen. Barry Dekay|Mar 13, 2024

    We are now two-thirds of the way through the 60-day session and have completed public hearings for the year. Senators will now meet in full-day sessions for floor debate. Discussion will focus on bills that have been given priority status either by a senator, a committee, or the speaker. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn April 18. LB1087 by Sen. Jacobson would adopt the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Act. This bill would have Nebraska join 44 other states in obtaining...

  • CRP signup runs through March 29

    Mar 13, 2024

    Agricultural producers and private landowners can sign up for the general Conservation Reserve Program through March 29. This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health. The competitive program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, provides annual rental payments for land, which is devoted to conservation purposes. As one of the largest private l...

  • Statement of Nondiscrimination Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company

    Mar 13, 2024

    STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance...

  • Staying the course on broadband

    Sen. Barry Dekay|Feb 21, 2024

    Much of this week’s activity focused on broadband and the Nebraska Department of Transportation, along with some controversy relating to education policy. The Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard three of my bills this week. LB1038 would make a small change to the membership requirement of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, which develops and reviews our state’s information technology plans. The commission currently has nine voting members and one member from the...

  • Foreign-owned land part of priority bill

    Sen Barry DeKay|Feb 14, 2024

    This week, I presented my priority bill for this year before members of the Agriculture Committee: LB1301. This bill would adopt the Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act and bring our antiquated foreign land ownership statutes up to date. Our statutes were first enacted in 1889 and many sections were last updated only in 1943. The bill would modernize these statutes by restricting federally-designated foreign adversaries from owning agricultural land, empowering the attorney general...

  • Resources available for education on organic certification

    Anna Johnson, Center for Rural Affairs|Dec 14, 2023

    Organic certification can be a valuable economic avenue for farmers to pursue, as it allows them to access both new markets and higher price premiums. However, many farmers either are not familiar with the organic certification process and are not able to assess whether it would work for their operation, or are daunted by the scope of change and record-keeping needed to obtain organic certification. New resources are available for farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about organic...

  • It's a desert out there Nebraska

    J.L. Schmidt, Statehouse Correspondent Nebraska Press Association|Nov 30, 2023

    Just when you thought the drought was bad, deserts have started popping up in Nebraska. Pick a topic: childcare; food; maternal health care. They have been discussed in the interim by lawmakers and deserve to be included among bills under consideration next session. It's time to start looking at problems affecting Nebraskans and not the national agenda of one political party. For example, the state could help encourage more doctors to dedicate their time and specialty to labor and delivery care...

  • Fields of the future: AI meets farming

    Samantha Grove, Nebraska News Service|Nov 30, 2023

    Researchers are investigating how artificial intelligence can help improve Nebraska crops. Although AI has become a popular new topic for many, researchers have been discussing, for several years, the ways this technology may help the future of farming. Unlike what most people mean when they talk about using generative Large Language AI models like ChatGPT, Michael Tross, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln complex biosystems graduate student, said researchers are using AI to generate more than...

  • Small Business Saturday spotlights value to economy

    Nick Schinker, Nebraska Business Development Center|Nov 23, 2023

    The holidays are for celebrating and Small Business Saturday is a celebration of the key role independent, locally-owned businesses play in Nebraska's economy. Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011, Small Business Saturday will be Nov. 25, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and small businesses across Nebraska have embraced Small Business Saturday and the...

  • School patrons asked to complete survey for strategic planning process

    LuAnn Schindler, Publisher|Nov 16, 2023

    What's working at Summerland Public School and what improvements can be implemented to benefit students? The answer to those questions will be determined by responses to a district-wide survey, which is part of the school's strategic planning process, that is required per Rule 10 of the Nebraska Department of Education. Superintendent Kyle Finke said strategic planning will assist in identifying goals, developing strategies to accomplish goals and determine how the district will take that step....

  • There's never been a better time to apply for CSP, EQIP

    Kate Hansen, Center for Rural Affairs|Oct 26, 2023

    If you are a farmer or rancher, there has never been a better time to apply for popular conservation programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Nebraska, the deadline to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program is Nov. 17. For years, CSP and EQIP have provided financial and technical assistance to implement beneficial practices on agricultural lands, like cover crops and rotational grazing. In 2022 alone, 1.7...

  • Farm-to-school programs growing strong

    Kirstin Bailey, Center for Rural Affairs|Oct 19, 2023

    Over the past decade, the farm-to-school movement has reached millions of students in the United States and its territories. From school gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays, farm-to-school practices help children learn about nutrition and agriculture while also creating new markets for local and regional farmers. To recognize the connections made between schools and local farmers and their role in promoting well-being among children and building strong local economies, in 2010 Congress designated October as National Fa...

  • Jones shares state education board highlights

    Sherry Jones, District 6|Sep 28, 2023

    Our September State Board of Education public meeting was held at the Leadership Center in Aurora. State Board of Education meetings are typically held on the first Thursday and Friday of most months of the year. Thursday is a workday during which committees meet. The four committees are the Executive, Rules and Regulations, Budget and Finance, and Planning and Evaluation. I serve on the Budget and Finance and Planning and Evaluation committees. Much discussion takes place during the workday to...

  • Governor touts legislative successes, shares views during O'Neill town hall meeting

    LuAnn Schindler, Publisher|Jul 6, 2023

    Agriculture, broadband connectivity and tax savings were key topics addressed during Gov. Jim Pillen's town hall meeting, June 28, in O'Neill. Pillen opened by telling the crowd of approximately 80 that his team strives to work for "all Nebraskans. "I can't stand politics. I can't stand politicians," the governor said. "The privilege I had in the first six months, it is unbelievable how many incredible public servants we have serving the state of Nebraska." One of Pillen's goals has been to...

  • Educators explore student learning opportunities

    Geitner Simmons, IANR Media|Jul 6, 2023

    Northeast Nebraska teachers visiting the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory this month learned that the 550-acre site is full of learning opportunities for students. Teachers from Summerland Public School participated in the event. The arboretum at the Haskell site, part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s network of ag research centers around the state, can help children learn identification and biology for trees and plants. The beehives and pollinator gardens illustrate the interactions of insects and plants. The sweeping fields of corn and...

  • MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING VILLAGE OF EWING BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Jun 8, 2023

    MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING VILLAGE OF EWING BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 22, 2023 The Ewing Village Board of Trustees convened for a special session on May 22, 2023, at 7 p.m., at the city hall. Notice of the meeting was published May 10, 2023, and May 17, 2023, in the “Summerland Advocate-Messenger.” The purpose of the meeting is to provide the opportunity for the public to comment on the Village of Ewing application to USDA Rural Development for financial assistance in the amount of a $50,000.00 grant for the purchase of a payloader. An agenda was...

  • As planting season surges, barriers remain for organic farmers

    Kate Hansen, Senior Policy Associate Center for Rural Affairs|Jun 1, 2023

    If you are a farmer or live in a rural area, you know that planting season is in full swing. Progress rates are well ahead of last year. On May 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that 87% of Nebraska’s expected corn and 95% of Iowa’s, has been planted. Soybeans and other crops are not far behind. Each year, the first farmers planting are those using conventional production methods. Weeks will pass before organic farmers follow suit. Organic corn, for example, is typically pla...

  • Budget bills receive nod from Legislature

    Sen. Barry Dekay|May 18, 2023

    The Legislature gave second-round approval to the budget bills this past week. This effort will allow the budget to be read on Final Reading next week, meeting the requirement to have it pass by the 80th legislative day. The budget would provide money for capital construction projects such as the Perkins County Canal Project and a new prison facility. Additional funds are appropriated to cover salary increases recently negotiated with the state employee’s union and for staff at correctional f...

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