Public News Service

A field of sunflowers is shown on fourth-generation Koelling land in Ord, Nebraska. The Koellings grew their sunflower oil business with the help of the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program. (Photo courtesy of Alan Koelling, Simply Sunflowers)

Federal funds back renewable energy, efficiency upgrades for NE ag, small business

Nebraska ag producers and small businesses have until Sept. 30 to apply for the latest funding round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural …

In an article on the Food and Water Watch website, reporter Rebecca Wolf writes,

New organic rules for livestock: What will they mean?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

Use of cover crops, such as winter wheat, can help water and nutrients penetrate the soil and smother weeds, leading to better corn crops. (Magnus/Adobe Stock)

NE youth hopeful for regenerative ag, sustainability after D.C. conference

Three members of Nebraska's student-run climate advocacy organization Students for Sustainability were among the youngest participants at the recent C…

In 2023, the Farm Service Agency enrolled 2.7 million acres to its Grassland Conservation Reserve Program out of more than 4.6 million acres offered by landowners. (MarekPhotoDesign.com/Adobe Stock)

Friday deadline for 2024 USDA grassland conservation program

Farm producers and landowners have until the end of this week to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's Grasslands …

Cover crops and other regenerative practices prevent erosion, improve soil health and can absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere and

Experienced NE farmer talks cattle, cover crops and regenerative agriculture

One of the goals included in Nebraska's Department of Environment and Energy's Priority Climate Action Plan recently submitted to the federal Environm…

Indigenous woman wearing a traditional dress. (SALMONNEGRO/Adobe Stock)

Omaha Maya organization receives $15,000 grant for regenerative ag practices

An Omaha Maya organization has received one of five $15,000 grants from the nonprofit GreenLatinos. Some 85 organizations applied for the grant …

Since 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program has awarded nearly $68 million in low-interest loans and $17 million in grants to rural microentrepreneurs. (Andriy Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

Renewing and revising USDA's RMAP benefits NE small towns

Dozens of Microenterprise Development Organizations from 28 states, including Nebraska's Center for Rural Affairs, have signed a letter urging …

As of 2021, there were more than 17,000 farms with at least one certified organic crop, compared with only around 150 certified biodynamic farms in the United States. (sjredwin1/Adobe Stock)

Biodynamic farming views farms as living organism for greater sustainability

By Ellie Kuckelman for The Reader.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

Upcoming Youth Climate Summit to Focus on Solutions, Hope

A 2021 survey published in The Lancet showed almost half of U.S. youth ages 16 to 25 feel "heightened worry" about climate change. Sponsors of …

More than 100 U.S. crops depend on pollinators, which provided approximately $18 billion of value in 2020. In Nebraska, fruit orchards and melon crops in particular are dependent upon honeybee pollination. (kosolovsky/Adobe Stock)

Seasoned NE Beekeeper Abuzz Over Bee Lawns, Other Bee-Friendly Practices

Bees and other pollinators are indispensable to a huge number of crops, and in Nebraska as well as across the country their numbers have been …

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture expected to grant more than $800,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant dollars in 2023. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

Students at Eight Rural NE Schools To Learn 'Specialty Crop' Production

Students in eight rural Nebraska schools will soon be getting hands-on experience in "specialty crop" production thanks to a two-year U.S. Department …

In addition to their use in crop spraying, drones can help farmers and researchers assess how their plants, animals and property are being affected by

Community Colleges Help Build NE 'Precision Ag' Workforce

Agriculture plays a huge role in Nebraska's economy, and it is the topic of a bill in Congress getting rare bipartisan support. The Community …

Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts were established in 1972

NE Water District Protects Quantity, Quality for Future Generations

Groundwater decline is a serious problem in parts of the country, but not in the Lower Republican Natural Resources District in south-central …

Aaron LaPointe, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, inspects an ear of organically grown traditional Indian corn. (Photo courtesy Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

NE's Ho-Chunk Farms to Focus on Conservation in 2023

A northeast Nebraska farming operation is starting the new year with an even bigger commitment to conservation, and they hope other farms take note…

Inflation Reduction Act to Help NE Farms Fight Climate Change

Nebraska farmers and ranchers who have struggled with climate-related issues like flooding and drought are expected to benefit in the new year from th…

According to Consumer Reports, crowded windowless

Study Points to Poultry Litter as Source of NE Water Pollution

A new study is focused on concerns for Nebraska waterways. The three-year, independently funded research identifies rising levels of phosphorus and …

Nebraska is home to many industrial-scale operations, where livestock live in densely populated, confined quarters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Nebraskans Urge Better State Management of Factory Farm Animal Waste

Clean-water advocates are urging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to do more to protect drinking water and soil quality impacted by i…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers training for military veterans, and has grant programs available to help purchase and develop land and facilities, as well as equipment and supplies.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Military Veterans Wanted for Service in Ag Industry

This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through …

Farmers face startup costs to diversify their crop rotations, but experts say the move can mean lower overall costs over the long run. (Adobe Stock)

Old Ideas About Farming Offer New Alternatives

The resilience of the U.S. food supply to disasters has become even more important in the time of climate change. Nebraska farmers, like others…

Planting native flowering plants in your yard instead of grass can help restore critical habitat for struggling pollinator species. (Adobe Stock)

Wanted: Next-Generation Beekeepers for Nebraska Farms

With the age of Nebraska's farmers and beekeepers on the rise, bee enthusiasts are encouraging more young people to check out the Great Plains Master …

Small to mid-sized meat processors must operate as either a USDA-FSIS facility or a federally regulated custom-exempt slaughter and processing facility, while also complying with federal regulations, to qualify for a new grant program. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska’s Smaller Meat Lockers Challenged to Ramp Up Capacity

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants through the Independent Processor Assistance Program. Johnathan Hladik…

Historically rich organic matter in topsoil in America's heartland, called the A horizon, has been completely removed from approximately one third of lands across the Midwest. (Adobe Stock)

Restoring Soil Through Carbon Sequestering Benefits Farmers, Climate

With Nebraska farmers facing runaway costs for herbicides and fertilizers this year, a new Center for Rural Affairs report suggested adopting simple …

Se estima que cada d�lar gastado en los mercados de agricultores genera $3 en actividad econ�mica y tiende a permanecer en Nebraska, a diferencia de las cadenas de supermercados. (Adobe Stock)

Programa duplica dinero a participantes de SNAP en mercados de agricultores

Una señal de la primavera en Nebraska es el regreso de los mercados de agricultores locales, y las familias que participan en SNAP, el programa …

It's estimated that every dollar spent at farmers markets generates $3 in economic activity, and tends to stay in Nebraska, unlike at grocery chains. (Adobe Stock)

Program Doubles Food Budget for SNAP Participants at Farmers Markets

One sign of springtime in Nebraska is the return of local farmers markets, and families participating in SNAP - the program formerly known as food …

Just four meat-processing giants control more than 80% of the beef industry and more than 60% of the pork industry. A report says this enables them to dictate prices that both flatten returns for farmers and ranchers and inflate prices for consumers at the meat counter. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Corporate Profiteering Fueling Inflation

A new report confirms what it said CEOs have been telling shareholders for months: Inflation has been very good for business. Lindsay Owens…

After COVID shuttered large meat-packing operations, many Nebraskans were able to purchase locally produced meat processed at local lockers. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Make Case for Expanding Main Street Meat Lockers

Advocates for independent rural farmers are urging state lawmakers to beef up mom-and-pop meat processing and storage capacity using American Rescue P…

Beginning in 2022, Nebraska's Department of Education will begin offering farm-to-school producer training in various regions of the state. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Farmers Fueling Students with Locally Produced Food

GERING, Neb. -- With school back in session, many Nebraska students will be fueled by fresh beef, fruits and vegetables sourced from local farms…

In 2018, Nebraska ranked first among states for renewed acres in the Conservation Stewardship Program, which offers cost-share and technical assistance for conservation on working lands. (Pixabay)

Farmers Give Conservation Program Now Open for Applications 'Thumbs Up'

LYONS, Neb. -- The Conservation Stewardship Program in Nebraska is open for applications. Jim Dallegge, a farmer and rancher in Butler County…

Ten Nebraska schools have been selected by the Center for Rural Affairs for their Greenhouse to Cafeteria program, and will receive direct technical and financial support. (Sipa/Pixabay)

Contest Aims to Get More Local Produce Into School Cafeterias

LYONS, Neb. -- Nebraska will be defending its regional title in this year's Crunch Off competition, where schools across the nation devour locally …

Nebraska currently produces more than 2,132 megawatts of wind power, and an additional 1,000 megawatts from wind is under construction. (Chris Lim/Wikimedia Commons)

Report Shows Bipartisan Support for Boosting Clean Energy

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Support for renewable energy in the U.S. cuts across party lines, according to a new Yale University report. Three in four …

The Nebraska Food Council, with support from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Food Policy Council, announced compliance plans with CDC recommendations to make sure Nebraska farmers markets, farm stores and roadside stands remain open during the public health emergency. (Keven S/Pexels)

Farmers Markets Urged to Remain Open During Health Emergency

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Local and state governments across the U.S. are joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's call to categorize farmers …

Scientists say regenerative farming practices that don't use synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides can help capture more carbon from the atmosphere and create healthier soil for crops. (Pixabay)

Nebraska Farmers, Ranchers Push for Green New Deal Policies

LINCOLN, Neb. – Agriculture is the fourth largest producer of climate pollution, and farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. have launched a …

U.S. beekeepers have lost more than 40% of their colonies in the past year. (Pixabay)

Beekeepers Call EPA Approval of Insecticide “Illegal”

LYONS, Neb. – The Environmental Protection Agency has allowed the insecticide sulfoxaflor back onto the market, and a coalition of beekeepers …

Some midwestern farmers say this was the first May in which they couldn't plant any crops, because of an extremely wet and cold spring. (Pixabay)

Maintaining Soil Health in Volatile Weather Conditions

LINCOLN, Neb. — The U.S. is coming off the wettest year on record, seen most dramatically in this spring's massive flooding. And Nebraska …

In 2019, the average American is projected to eat more than 110 pounds of beef. (Pixabay)

Low-Carbon Food Better for Planet and Health, Study Finds

LINCOLN, Neb. – Foods produced with fewer greenhouse gas emissions are healthier than foods that create more climate pollution, according to …

A new federal report says antibiotic use in farm animals decreased by about one-third from 2016 to 2017. (Pixabay)

Meat Industry Submits Plan to Reduce Antibiotics in Livestock

LINCOLN, Neb. — The major players in the meat industry have developed what they're calling a "stewardship plan" they say will ensure that they …

Defensores locales esperan alargar la temporada de cultivo de Nebraska instalando m�s t�neles altos. (USDA)

El Consejo de Nebraska trabaja para fortalecer los sistemas alimentarios locales

LYONS, Neb. -- Agricultores, coordinadores comunitarios y ciudadanos promedio están reuniéndose para estudiar el sistema alimentario local …

Local food advocates hope to lengthen Nebraska's growing season by installing more high tunnels. (USDA)

NE Council Works to Strengthen Local Food Systems

LYONS, Neb. – Leaders from across Nebraska are ready to launch a comprehensive statewide food assessment, one goal of the Nebraska Food …

Households that spend more of their weekly food budget on beef, chicken, pork and other meats generate more greenhouse gas emissions than households that opt for plant-based proteins. (Pixabay)

Consumer Food Decisions Can Cut Climate Pollution

LINCOLN, Neb. – Researchers say they've tapped the most comprehensive estimate of greenhouse gas emissions created by U.S. consumer food …

The mid-America monarch migration route in need of more milkweed spans from Texas to North Dakota and east to Ohio.

Milkweed Needed for Imperiled Monarch Butterfly

LINCOLN, Neb. — Wildlife experts say the "king" of butterflies could go the way of the passenger pigeon unless people step in to plant more of …

There are about 133,000 military veterans in Nebraska. (William Garrett/Flickr)

Farming: A Viable Post-Military Career for Nebraska Veterans

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska's rural lands offer abundant opportunities for farming and ranching, and also are home to nearly half of the state's 13…

Researchers say bees are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. (Mario/Flickr)

Nebraskans Encouraged to Protect Pollinators

LINCOLN, Neb. – As we enjoy the late-summer crops produced in Nebraska and around the country, advocates are hoping everyone will take time to …

The Whole-Farm Revenue Protection crop insurance program can help Nebraska farmers. (Catherine Soehner/Flickr)

Diversified Crops? There's an Insurance Program for That

LINCOLN, Neb. -- An alternative to traditional farm insurance is catching the attention of the agricultural community in Nebraska and around the …

Corn crops are threatened in Nebraska and across the United States by the changing weather. (Virginia Carter)

Nebraska Farmers Could Benefit from Study by Robots

LINCOLN, Neb. - Severe weather brought on by climate change is threatening crops in Nebraska and across the United States, and a study - part of a …

Agriculture and trade groups say farmers have lost bargaining power under the North American Free Trade Agreement. (Pixabay)

Ag Groups Question Trump's Immigration, Trade Plans

LINCOLN, Neb. – Agriculture and trade groups are voicing their concerns over President Donald Trump's stance on immigration and his threats to …

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NE: Sustainable Agriculture and Farming