Farmers, landowners and conservation enthusiasts are invited to a free educational event, "Improving Your Bottomline: Benefits of Prairie Strips," at the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center in Grant, Nebraska. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.

The field day will provide insights into prairie strips and their environmental and economic benefits, including discussions on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) CP43 option for implementing prairie strips. Experts from Iowa State University’s Prairie STRIPS and Nebraska Extension will lead presentations alongside other resource professionals.

Attendees will enjoy morning refreshments and a complimentary lunch by Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge, and participate in two site visits: one to the Stumpf Center’s prairie strip test plots and another to an active CRP CP43 contract site, offering firsthand insight into prairie strips in action.

Agenda highlights include:

• Introduction by Andrew Little, UNL School of Natural Resources assistant professor, Ron Seymour, Nebraska Extension lead educator, and Tim Youngquist, Iowa State University agricultural specialist.
• Presentations on prairie strip planting and management.
• Discussions on the CRP seed mixes and insect ecology.
• Economic analysis of prairie strips with John Westra, Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center director.

This is a valuable opportunity for the community to learn how prairie strips can improve soil health, water quality and biodiversity, while also enhancing farm profitability.

Advance registration is encouraged and can be completed online.

For more information, please contact Melissa Irish at (308) 286-3297, or Jaret McCabe at (308) 534-2360.

The Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center is located at 76025 Rd. 329, Grant, NE 69140.

Register