How to conduct a predictable, controlled burn in an open field setting will be the focus of a Prescribed Burn School Friday, January 18 in Osceloa. It will be held at the Polk County Fairgrounds Agriculture Building from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The workshop will cover the benefits of using fire to manage grassland and eliminate refuse. 

Mark Alberts, a Nebraska farmer and well-known prescribed fire advocate, will discuss how he has been using fire to control Eastern Red Cedar and other invasive plants on grassland. He also will discuss why it's important to bring communities together to conduct successful burns. 

Other speakers will include David Carr, Bill Hiatt, and Lisa McMillan. Carr, range specialist for the Central Platte NRD, has been conducting burns across the Central Platte NRD. He was in charge of several burns in Polk County. Hiatt is new to the Central Platte NRD staff, but he brings 18 years of burn experience and will speak about fire behavior. McMillan, range conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Broken Bow, will present on writing burn plans.

Pheasants Forever, the burn schools official sponsor, will have their Burn Specialist Brian Teeter share how fire improves grassland and how managing grassland benefits wildlife. Teeter has organized several Prescribed Burn Schools across Nebraska. He will also be talking about equipment, safety, and the Prescribed Burn Associations.

Polk County NRCS and the University of Nebraska Extension will also be represented. Melissa Bartels, Extension Educator in Butler County, and Kristi Schleif and Alane Nelson from the NRCS office in Osceola will have information on cost assistance available through NRCS and the NRDs for conducting burns.

Registration

There is a $10 registration fee for the class to cover the meal and literature. Those interested in attending may register for the class by calling Evette Watts at the Polk County Extension office (402) 747-2321.

NRCS provides reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities to participate in NRCS programs and activities. If you require special accommodations, please contact Alane Nelson at (402) 747-2111 Ext. 107 by January 4, 2019.