Nicole Heldt - Research Project Coordinator Maharjan Soils Lab, UNL PREEC

Large group of people surround Nathan Mueller during live rainfall simulation
A crowd gathers around the USDA NRCS live rainfall simulator which demonstrates the outcome of different soil health practices, led by Nathan Meuller, USDA NRCS state soil health specialist, at the WCREEC Water, Crops and Soil Health Field Day on Sept. 5. (Photo by Bijesh Maharjan)

Nebraska Soil Health School: An Accomplishment of Goals Through Collaboration

September 25, 2024
The Nebraska Soil Health School successfully hosted its second annual series of programs across the state, educating over 600 stakeholders on innovative soil health practices.

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Man squats near demo table while speaking
Riley Hackbart, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientist, discusses the results of the live rainfall simulator at a previous Nebraska Soil Health School event. Hackbart will have the rainfall simulator and soil health demonstrations at the Sept. 4 Nebraska Soil Health School at Fort Robinson State Park. (PREEC photo)

New Focus for September Nebraska Soil Health School

August 7, 2024
The next soil health school will focus on integrated crop and livestock system goals and objectives that might affect soil health management. Attendance is free, and certified crop advisor CEUs will also be offered.

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People stand in group for photo
Figure 1. Participants of the Centennial Celebration and Congress of the International Union of Soil Sciences: (Back row, from left) Andy Gregory, Rothamsted, United Kingdom; Tim Reinbott, Missouri; Jim Wang, Louisiana; Filippo Benedetti, UN FAO, Italy; (front row, from left) Bijesh Maharjan, Nebraska; Audrey Gamble, Alabama; Sabina Braun, Uppsala, Sweden; Hans-Jörg Vogel, Bad Lauchstädt, Germany. (Not pictured: Lukasz Uzarowicz, Poland, and Dian Fiantis, Indonesia)

Historic Experiments Gathered at IUSS Congress — Nebraska’s Knorr-Holden Plot Takes Global Stage

August 2, 2024
Scientists from across the world met in May to share findings from their 100-plus-year-old experiments, emphasizing the impact of agriculture on the environment at the national and international level.

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Soil Health Cycle infographic

UNL Researchers Advance Soil Health Cycle Concept

May 1, 2024
In a new manuscript, UNL researchers outline the soil health cycle — a systematic approach to improving soil management practices that highlights the importance of soil health knowledge and beneficial policies for producers.

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Man stands near rainfall simulator during presentation
The Nebraska Soil Health School at UNL’s High Plains Ag Lab will include soil health demonstrations and the live rainfall simulator from USDA NRCS soil scientists. (Photo by Nicole Heldt)

Dryland Cropping Systems to be Focus of Upcoming Nebraska Soil Health School

March 11, 2024
The first Nebraska Soil Health School of 2024 will feature presentations on the impact of tillage, biochar and cover crops, soil health measurement and carbon markets, and more.

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Group photo of Ostdiek, Maharjan, Bischoff and Yoder with sign
The Historic Knorr-Holden signboard located near the corn plot north of Scottsbluff was officially unveiled on Aug. 23. (From left) Dave Ostdiek, retired UNL PREEC communications specialist; Bijesh Maharjan, UNL associate professor at PREEC and current plot supervisor; Richard Bischoff, UNL IANR associate vice chancellor; and Ron Yoder, UNL IANR senior associate vice-chancellor.

Unveiling of Historic Knorr-Holden Plot Signboard

September 20, 2023
UNL faculty members recently celebrated the Knorr-Holden Plot's century-long historical value to agricultural research. Located near Scottsbluff, Knorr-Holden is one of the top five-oldest continuous field-crop experiments in the U.S. 

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Aaron Hird gestures to soil and water samples
Aaron Hird, USDA NRCS state soil health specialist, demonstrates the outcome of different soil health practices with a rainfall simulation to Nebraska Soil Health School attendees at UNL’s Haskell Ag Lab on Aug. 2.

Nebraska Soil Health School: A Success Story of Collaboration and Learning

September 12, 2023
During its inaugural year, the Nebraska Soil Health School educated more than 200 producers and ag industry stakeholders on the latest research and practices for healthy soils to increase crop productivity.

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Nebraska Soil Health School attendees listen to lecture
A participant at the Nebraska Soil Health School learns how to use the Munsell Soil Color Chart, an in-field tool useful for gauging the color characteristics of soil.

Nebraska Soil Health School Connects Farmers, Researchers, Conservationists and Ag Professionals

July 13, 2023
Attendees of the second Nebraska Soil Health School in North Platte heard the latest on fundamental soil health principles and research, and viewed numerous demos by UNL and NRCS experts. 

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