Building a sustainable rural economy

January 2007

Nebraskans looking for new sources of on-farm income or those who want to financially capitalize on the many advantages of living and working in the country can learn more at the Rural Advantage: Profitable and Sustainable Agricultural Opportunities for Nebraska conference Feb. 9-10 in Norfolk.

The conference, at the Divots Conference Center, 4200 W. Norfolk Ave., will allow participants to find a new enterprise that might help them continue to work full-time on the farm or avoid working off-farm.

Regionally and nationally known speakers will share their extensive, down-to-earth knowledge of many alternative enterprises.Dan Imhoff, author of the book "Farming with the Wild," will be the keynote speaker for the conference. Imhoff, from northern California, is a leader in sustainable farming practices and in conservation biodiversity.

Following the keynote discussion, participants can choose from three tracks of programs. These include tracks on alternative agriculture enterprises, energy topics and healthy foods. Program titles include: Grassfed -- The Ultimate Functional Food, High Tunnel Systems, Energy System Grants, Can Wildland Characteristics Coexist with Economic Viability?, Integrating Livestock on Organic Farms, Energy Conservation for Homes and Small Offices, Prevention vs. Pills and Procedures, Elderberry Production, Techno Advances on the Energy Front, Lacto-Fermentation, Utilizing Meat Goats for Weed Control and Profits, Renewable Energy and You, Community Supported Agriculture, Alternative Crops, Opportunities and Challenges of Wind Energy, Feeding Livestock for Human and Animal Health, Low Cost Milking Parlors and the Economics of Grass Based Dairying, NPPD Update, Maximizing Your Health Through Nutrition, Low Cost Niche Pork Production, Small Farm Oil Seed Processing, Organic Gardening for Good Health, Composting and Utilization, OLean Energy, Options for Accessing Local Foods, Raising Crops Organically and Nebraska Renewable Energy Association.

New to this year's conference is a youth program. Youth ages 8-16 can learn about water, wildlife and nature through fun activities. The program will be from 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Registration for the entire conference is $70 and includes two lunches, breaks and an information packet. Additional family members can attend for $45 per person. An additional $25 is required for the Friday night all-Nebraska dinner.Single day registrations are available at $30. Youth registration is $45. Youth who are registered for the conference do not need to pay the extra $25 to attend the all-Nebraska dinner Friday night.

Lodging is available by calling the Clarion Motel at (402) 379-3833. For more information, contact a local UNL Extension office, Hruskoci at (308) 385-5088, jhruskoci1@unl.edu or Gary Zoubek at (402) 362-5508, gzoubek1@unl.edu.

The conference is sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the University's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Nebraska Sustainable Agricultural Society.