Coming Events
- Feb. 8 – Private Pesticide Training, 9:00 a.m., 4-H Building, York
- Feb. 11 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., UNL’s ARDC near Mead
- Feb. 12 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 4-H Building, York
- Feb. 12 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- Feb. 19 – Extension Board Executive Meeting, 1:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
- 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. 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
- 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 a.m.-3:30 p.m., York Country Club, 402-362-5508 to register
On-Farm Research Updates Planned
I mentioned it last week but want to remind all area producers about our On-Farm Research Updates planned for February 11 at the ARDC near Mead and on February 12 in York at the 4-H Building. You will have a chance to learn about the research results from our on-farm research studies in 2012 and learn how you can be involved in 2013 if you’d like!
No cost to attend because Farm Credit Services of America are helping sponsor these meetings, but please pre-register for meal count by calling (402)624-8030 for ARDC meeting or calling me at (402)362-5508 for York program. More information about the On-Farm Research Updates is available at: http://york.unl.edu/crops-future.
Hopefully we’ll see you there!
Horticulture Connect Sessions Begin February 12
I’ve mentioned it several times! We’ve got some great Master Gardening/Horticulture Connect Sessions planned. If you have not signed up yet, do so soon so that adequate materials can be obtained. Topics include:
Feb. 12 – Adapted/Native Plants – Steve Rodie & Kim Todd
Feb. 19 – Drought Recovery & Water Wise Landscape Practices – John Fech & Laurie Stepanek
Feb. 26 – Soil and Soil Management – Brad Jakubowski
March 5 – Lawn Disease and Insect Control – Amy Timmerman and Jim Kalisch
March 12 – Extension Master Gardener Orientation and Container Gardening – Terri James
March 19 – Household Insects and Bedbugs – Barb Ogg
Cost for the general public is $5.00/session or $15.00 for the series. Cost for our Master Gardeners to attend the series is $5.00. Info about the sessions or to register can be found at: http://york.unl.edu/water-environment.
Private Applicator Training and Chemigation Training Dates
Just a reminder, I have two more Pesticide Safety Education Programs that I will be conducting in York. Those dates are February 8 at 9:00 a.m. and on March 11 at 6:30 p.m., so if your card has expired, get these dates on your calendar.
I’ve scheduled two chemigation training dates. 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, contact our office.
Women In Agriculture Conference Planned
The theme of the 28th annual “Women In Agriculture Conference†is “Communicating in Challenging Times,” and it features a variety of workshops and speakers, including the renowned animal scientist Temple Grandin.
Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, is a world leader in the design of livestock handling and cattle processing facilities. Her designs emphasize reducing animal stress. Grandin also consulted with such companies as McDonald’s, Cargill and Tyson. Along with her research in animal handling, Grandin has both written and spoken about her experience with autism, which she was diagnosed with as a child. She recently presented a Heuermann lecture with can be viewed at: http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu/home.
Many other speakers will present during the conference on a wide variety of interesting and timely topics!  For complete information and to register online go to: http://wia.unl.edu. You can also register by calling 1-800-535-3456 or by faxing your forms to 1-402-472-0776. Hard copy registration forms can be sent to Women in Agriculture, UNL Agricultural Economics, 303 Filley Hall, Lincoln, Neb., 68583.
The early-bird fee of $100 per person is due by Feb. 8. Following that date the fee is $120 per person. Fee includes workshop materials, registration and meals.
The conference is sponsored by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics.
Irrigation Equipment Cost Share   Â
It won’t be long and we’ll be thinking about spring planting and the irrigation season! I’m hoping it will be a little easier this season and more like normal, but only time will tell!
If you have not been involved with our Nebraska Agriculture Water Management Network (NAWMN) in the past, I hope you’ll consider getting involved this season. The Upper Big Blue NRD and UNL Extension have teamed up using a couple economical tools to better help with irrigation timing and amounts. The tools are soil sensors and Etgages which the NRD cost shares on! You can’t beat that deal. Dan and I or other UNL Educators will assist you with installing these tools the first year!
Visit the Upper Big Blue NRD website: http://www.upperbigblue.org/Â On the left side of the page, click on water link followed by the irrigation scheduling equipment link.
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, watch for more details in future columns! Now’s a good time to get them ordered before funds run out!
