Stop by the “Big Red Building” to explore how the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, along with Nebraska Extension can be Your Partner in Innovation at the 2023 Husker Harvest Days farm show, located at Lot 827. 

Over the three days, more than 125 Nebraska Extension educators, specialists and other faculty will be sharing their field-proven experiences with new data-driven research. Discover more about on-farm research, irrigation, drinking water, profitability, controlled burns, healthy soils, Weather Ready Farms, rural prosperity, healthy lifestyles, landscaping, agricultural leadership, careers and more. Bring along your plant and insect samples too.

The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network partners with farmers to evaluate agricultural practices that are applicable to your operation by research topics you chose, on your fields and with your equipment. Digital agriculture goes hand-in-hand with these efforts and we’re here to help share insight into available technologies to benefit your operation.

The agriculture irrigation team will be showcasing tools to help you optimize your irrigation system, whether it is your cropland or your backyard. We can also help private well owners find out if their drinking water is safe. We’ll also empower you with the how-to’s on water testing, and home water treatment options.

The Center for Agricultural Profitability will be providing innovative data-driven resources to help build confidence in farm and ranch management decision making. From their Agricultural Budgets Calculator, record keeping, farm programs, to custom rates and land values surveys.

The beef team will focus on using controlled burns as a tool for pasture and rangelands. Come discuss how to prepare for a burn and how it can help you achieve your goals whether it is improving grass stands, cedar tree control, weed reduction, wildlife habitat or forage quality.

Healthy soil offers so many benefits, and extension experts can help you assess your soil and develop a soil health plan specific to your operation. From storing more soil water, which can buffer against weather extremes such as drought or flooding, to filtering out contaminants such as nitrate, which is a human health concern across much of Nebraska, healthy soils make a difference.

The first step for profitable pest management is accurate diagnosis of the suspected pest. Nebraska Extension provides a variety of resources to help you learn about pest identification and can explain how to send a high-quality sample to the UNL Diagnostic Lab.

Weather Ready Farms is a program designed to help Nebraska producers prepare for extreme weather and climate volatility. Stop by to discuss how to prepare your operation and learn about a new opportunity to join in and learn more about conservation, natural resource management, improving soil health, disaster preparedness, farm financial management, climate-smart agriculture and more.

Rural communities are the heart of Nebraska. Through the Rural Prosperity Nebraska initiative, extension educators work with Nebraskans to discover, define and celebrate the culture of their communities. Come discover how we can collaborate to co-creating projects and plans that allow communities to maintain and accentuate their traditions and values.

Farm families spend so much time ensuring the health of their crops and livestock that it’s easy to neglect their own needs. Extension experts are here to share information about healthy lifestyles— and to let you know that being in community and reaching out for help is OK, as it takes all of us to support wellness in our communities.

Your extension experts are here to answer questions about resource efficient landscapes and pest problems. They’ll help you create thriving landscapes through proper plant selection, sustainable management, and proven plant health care techniques.

In both student and adult categories, prizes will be awarded for the top three each day of the show!

The Nebraska LEAD Program prepares and motivates men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership. Nebraska LEAD provides a strong knowledge base, relevant exposures and experiences, and important leadership and social skills necessary to respond to the major challenges facing agriculture in Nebraska. Find our how to get involved.

Come check out our interactive display to explore potential careers and test your skills at the 4-H College and Career Success booth. Families and high school students are encouraged to bring questions about college and career decisions. Also, visit with representatives from the UNL College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis to find out more about opportunities on campus.

Nearby, make sure to check out the Pesticide Safety Education Program in the hospitality tent next to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The program promotes human health protection with pesticides through outreach and training and partners with the NDA to provide information about safety to farmers and workers. Bring your respirator and we will evaluate if it fits you appropriately.

Make sure to stop across from the Big Red Building to get your UNL Dairy Store Ice Cream.

We all look forward to seeing and visiting with all HHD participants!