Coming Events
- March 11, 2014 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., York 4-H Building, call 402-362-5508 or email gary.zoubek@unl.edu to register.
- March 13, 2014 – Private Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., York 4-H Building
- March 20, 2014 – Chemigation Training, 1:00 p.m., Hall County Extension Office, Grand Island
- March 21, 2014 – Chemigation Training, 1:00 p.m., York 4-H Building
- March 22, 2014 — Small Spaces, Big Potential: Small Scale Farming Workshop, 8:00 a.m., Kimmel Education & Research Center, Nebraska City
On-Farm Research Update Meetings Planned
We had our first Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) research update yesterday at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead and our second one today, Tuesday March 11th here in York at the 4-H Building.
If you’re interested in on-farm research, I hope you’ll attend. The program begins at 9:00 a.m. To learn more about the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network and how to participate, go to: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch. I hope you’ll also please consider conducting your own on-farm research study in 2014; I’d really like to work with you.
Nebraska Weather
What a week of weather. A week ago Sunday it was -10° F and in the mid-70’s this Sunday! I guess that’s typical Nebraska weather. Sounds like we have chances for snow or rain this week, we can sure use the moisture. Hopefully spring is really here, it felt like it this weekend!
Community Garden Plots Available
Speaking of spring, I’ve been working with one of our committees at the First Presbyterian Church located at 414 N Delaware Ave and we will have some small gardening plots available on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in one of the plots, contact Donna Ehlers at 402-362-1755 or me at 402-326-8185. We’ll then get you an application forms and more details. The plots are 8’ x 4’ raised beds.
York County Corn Grower and RoundUp Ready Soybean Plots Planned
Last week I email out information about our York County Corn Grower and UNL RoundUp Ready Soybean Plots this week. If you’re an area seed company representative and are interested in entering these two plots, you can contact me at 402-326-8185 or email me at gary.zoubek@unl.edu. I’d be happy to get you information about or plots and hope you would consider entering.
Pesticide and Chemigation Certification Meetings Planned
We’ll I’ve conducted 15 Pesticide certification sessions and one Chemigation session so far this winter and have one more Private Applicator session planned for this Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and Chemigation sessions planned for March 20 in Grand Island and March 21 here in York. If you need either of these certifications, I hope you have them on your calendar.
Broadband Technology Fairs Planned
The Power of Business – WHAT’S NEXT is the theme of the upcoming series of Broadband Technology Fairs. The events, set for sites across Nebraska, will highlight the Power of Business – and how broadband technology can help you be more efficient and successful.
Each Technology Fair will offer hands-on presentations on broadband technology tools and techniques with experts from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Topics will feature:
• Remote video for security and monitoring
• Cloud technology
• Information security
• Mobile technology
• Cool Tools
Attendance is free and open to all. Those in our area include:
Seward: March 26, Seward County Fairgrounds, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Grand Island: March 27, College Park Extension, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
This events are part of the Nebraska Broadband Initiative. This Broadband Mapping and Planning Initiative is funded through a grant to the Nebraska Public Service Commission by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration and aims to increase broadband adoption and use. Project partners include the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Information Technology Commission, Nebraska Public Service Commission, and the AIM Institute.
For more information, check http://broadband.nebraska.gov.
Small Spaces, Big Potential: Small Scale Farming Workshop
If you have a small area and our interested in agriculture, the Small Spaces, Big Potential: Small Scale Farming Workshop may be just what you’re looking for.
This workshop is planned for Saturday, March 22, at the Kimmel Education & Research Center, Nebraska City. Cost is $35.00 or $50.00 for a couple. For more information or to pre-register contact:
Nemaha County UNL Extension Office at 402-274-4755. The days program follows:
8:00 a.m. — Registration
9:15 a.m. — The Challenges and Rewards of Diversified Ag – Farmer Panel
Travis Dunekacke, TD Niche Pork
Dean Dvorak, Plum Creek Farm
Dave Welsch, West Blue Farm
Robert White, Quail Acres Farm
11:00 a.m. — Break Out Session 1
Composting Basics – Vaughn Hammond, UNL Extension Educator
Dairy Goat Production – Charuth Loth, Shadow Brook Farm
12:30 p.m. — Lunch – Starting a Business, Are You Ready? Jessica G. Jones, UNL Extension Educator
1:15 p.m. — Break Out Session 2
Growing Cut Flowers – Charuth Loth, Shadow Brook Farm
Pasture Poultry (layers & broilers) – Dan Hromas, Prairie Pride Poultry & Dave Welsch, West Blue Farm
3:00 p.m. –Break Out Session 3
Growing Small Fruits – Vaughn Hammond, UNL Extension Educator
Raising Sheep & Marketing Wool Products – Rhonda McClure, Ewe and Us
You can also check out a promotional piece at: http://york.unl.edu/crops-future. Just click on the appropriate link.
National Food Entrepreneur Program Seminar
The University of Nebraska Food Processing Center is offering a one-day seminar for all individuals interested in exploring the idea of starting a food manufacturing business. The “Recipe to Reality†seminar will be offered on May 16, 2014. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Registration deadline is May 2, 2014. Contact Jill Gifford at 402-472-2819 or jgifford1@unl.edu for an information packet.
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board have teamed up to offer the 3rd Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This contest is open to 4-H members (age 10 years and older as of Jan. 1, 2014) or FFA members (in-school members).
As a team, youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if it increases yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice also will be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary.
Goals of the contest are to:
• achieve new, innovative, and economically feasible crop production methods to improve yields;
• provide research data for producers to implement in their operations;
• distribute data to corn producers, researchers, and agri-businesses for decision making purposes; and
• introduce youth to a variety of agronomic professionals, including corn producers.
I’m interested in mentoring a group if we have young people that are interested, but the time is short. They need to contact me by this Friday so that we can enter a team. Email me at gary.zoubek@unl.edu or call me at 402-326-8185 if you’re interested.
