Northeast Community College to host popular 'Backyard Farmer' television program

Kim Todd, the host, was my graduate advisor."

Jill Heemstra, Northeast ag program director, is coordinating logistics for the event.

"Having an event like this involves a lot of communication and a lot of people all pulling in the same direction," Heemstra said. "When you get down to the brass tacks, you have to think about access to electricity, the possible noise level, where will the sun be at that time of day, what is something scenic in the background."

Heemstra said visitors will not be able to turn left toward the Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., after entering from the main college entrance on Benjamin Ave. The best option for parking for those attending the "Backyard Farmer" taping will be in the Maclay building parking lot.

Parking will also be available in the Lifelong Learning Center or Cox Activities Center parking lots. Guests wishing to park there will need to either enter campus through the west entrance off Benjamin Ave., or use the main entrance, turn right and drive completely around the loop road.

Signs will help direct traffic on June 7.

Heemstra said hosting "Backyard Farmer" on the Northeast campus is a great opportunity for the local community and for the college.

"You don't have to talk to very many people in Nebraska before you find somebody who knows about 'Backyard Farmer' and watches the program," she said.

"Backyard Farmer" claims to be "the longest running locally produced program in television history." It first aired in 1953 on KFOR-TV, moving to KUON-TV, Nebraska educational television's flagship station, a year later. In the 1960s, Backyard Farmer had the highest rating of any educational broadcast in the United States.

"Backyard Farmer" airs Thursdays at 7 p.m. through September. It repeats at 10 a.m. on Saturdays on Nebraska Public Media and at 4 p.m. Sundays and 5 p.m. Mondays on Create TV.