Coming Events
- Feb. 19 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- Feb. 20 – Private Pesticide Training, 9:00 a.m., 4-H Building, Aurora
- Feb. 21-22 – Women in Agriculture Conference, Kearney, http://wia.unl.edu/
- Feb. 25-26 – Hunter Education Training, 4-H Building York
- Feb. 26 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- Feb. 26-27 – Central Plains Irrigation Conference, Kearney Holiday Inn, Kearney, http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/irrigate/cpia.htm
- Feb. 28 – March 1 – Hunter Education Training, 4-H Building York
- March 5 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- March 11 – Private Pesticide Training, 6:30 p.m., 4-H Building, York
- March 11 – Chemigation Training, 1:00 p.m., 4-H Building, York
- March 12 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- March 19 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- March 27 – Farm Estate and Transition Planning Workshop, 9:00 to 3:30 p.m., York Country Club, 402-362-5508 to register
Hunter Safety Education Program Planned
I mentioned it last week, but wanted to remind those interested in Hunter Safety Education that Dan Barrett and Gene Bergen will again be conducting Hunter Safety Education Training Feb. 25 & 26 and Feb. 28 and March 1. It will be conducted in the 4-H Building. To enroll, go to http://huntsafenebraska.org. For additional information, you can also contact Dan at 402-366-4380 or Gene at 402-366-3308.
So, if you’re interested, get signed up today so that adequate materials can be ordered.
Private Applicator Training and Chemigation Training Dates
This week I’m doing a Pesticide Safety Education Program in Aurora on Feb. 20 at 9:00 a.m., and my final one for the season will be March 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the 4-H Building, so if your card has expired, get these dates on your calendar. You can also stop by and pickup a home study course, but the cost of that is double of attending the session. You can also do it online at http://pested.unl.edu.
As I mentioned last week, I’ll also be conduction two chemigation sessions! The first is on March 11 at 1:00 p.m. here in York at the 4-H Building and the second is April 11 at 1:00 p.m. If you need study materials, stop by or contact our office.
Central Plains Irrigation Conference & Exposition
As I mentioned last week, this past year was a difficult and long irrigation season for area producers, but those that have irrigation options were extremely thankfully to have them. We also learn a lot about uniform water distribution on many of our pivots and as a result, we’re seeing new sprinkler packages and pivots going up. It’s extremely important to have the proper equipment to get good water distribution.
I’d like to encourage you to attend the Central Plains Irrigation Conference and Exposition planned for Feb. 26 and 27 in Kearney. This conference is designed for irrigators, crop consultants and other agri-business professionals. You will have many great topics to choose from.
A copy of the program and registration form is also on our website: http://york.unl.edu/web/york/crops-future.  I hope to see you in Kearney; let me know if you have any questions or need more information.
Planning for the Future – Farm Estate and Transition Planning Workshop
UNL Extension and several other sponsors are hosting an informational meeting titled “Planning for the Future.”  It will take place on Wednesday, March 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the York Country Club here in York. This workshop offers a reliable, useful discussion of business, family, and tax issues involved in passing on the family farm or ranch and the legal tools that are used to address those issues.
Topics discussed include: determining goals, family dynamics and expectation in a business setting, financial viability, the transfer process, estate and gift tax, inheritance tax, efficient methods of transfer, probate, wills, trusts, titling, basis, long-term care, Medicaid, powers of attorney, and use of entities.
For more information, check out our webpage: http://york.unl.edu/web/york/crops-future. Then click on the Planning for the Future link. There is no cost to attend thanks to several local sponsors who are sponsoring the breaks and noon meal. To register, email me at gary.zoubek@unl.edu or call at 402-362-5508 or contact the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.
Feature presenters are Dave Goeller and Joe Hawbaker. They want to help you get ready to make a plan or learn how to review your current plan as well as help you become good consumers of legal and estate planning services. They’ll share what other have done and how the various options have worked.
I’ve heard many very positive comments from participants of the session February 5 at the ARDC. All indicated that it was well worth their time to attend. So if you’re interested, sign up now!
Irrigation Equipment Cost Share Opportunities
Now’s the time to be planning for the upcoming irrigation season, check out  the Upper Big Blue NRD website: http://www.upperbigblue.org/ for information about cost share opportunities. On the left side of the page, click on water link followed by the irrigation scheduling equipment link. The direct link is:
http://www.upperbigblue.org/nrdwebsite/dept_water/forms_download/FORM_Irrig_Sched_Equip_2013.pdf
It’s going to be more important now than ever to manage our water resources so that we will be able to continue to irrigate our crops. Using these tools and eliminating field trips are ways to save our precious resources. Dan Leininger and I will again be planning some informational meetings about these tools, so watch for more details in upcoming columns!
Now’s a good time to get them ordered before funds run out!
