Views from VanDeWalle

As the drought that has plagued the western Great Plains for over a year spread across the Midwest, producers are making hard decisions about crop production and cowherd management. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of May 23, 2023, about 71% of Nebraska is in the D2 (Severe Drought), D3 (Extreme Drought), or D4 (Exceptional Drought) categories. The Drought monitor goes from D0 which is abnormally dry, D1 which is moderate drought, D2 which is severe drought, then D3 (extreme drought) and D4 (exceptional drought).

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, on May 23, 2023, Nebraska has 78 counties with USDA Disaster Designations (primary). There are 1.8 million Nebraska residents in areas of drought, and it is the 5^th driest April on record since 1895 with only 0.68 in. of total precipitation, down from 1.58” from normal.  

With all of the issues the drought is causing, Kelly Feehan, Extension Educator (horticulturist located in Platte Co.) recently released an article on “Trees Stressed by Drought”, and I’ve decided to share some of that information in this week’s column.

Feehan reported seeing river birch trees whose branches have died from the top down. Up to half of the tree or more may not be leafing out. In most cases, the cause of river birch dieback this year is drought combined with heat and high winds experienced over the last year. 

Other types of trees are also impacted. Younger trees with less established root systems, trees planted too deep, those with girdling roots or mower or weed trimmer injury on the trunk, and trees that have not received correct supplemental watering the last two years may have dieback or dead branches. 

River birch prefers moist soil, including semi-aquatic conditions along rivers, making them more susceptible to the extreme to exceptional drought we are currently in. It might be assumed lawn irrigation is enough for established trees. In average rainfall years it can be however, we are far behind average precipitation and trees are drought stressed. 

Not only deciduous trees, those that lose their leaves in the fall like river birch, are affected but so are broadleaf and conifer evergreens. In the case of evergreens, it is winter desiccation causing needle or leaf browning. Evergreens that went into winter drought stressed then faced a dry winter and windy days to compound the problem. Boxwood, Arborvitae, Japanese Yew, and Spruce are most affected. 

We have had very little spring rain following a dry winter and summer. Most trees are likely drought stressed. Not only can this cause dieback and browning, but it sets trees up to be infected by diseases and insects they would otherwise defend against. Two common examples we are seeing are Cytospora canker in spruce and verticillium wilt in Norway maple, smoke trees and Catalpa. Both are fungal diseases. Healthy trees have good defenses against these fungi and are rarely infected. Stressed trees are readily infected. 

Cytospora infects through the trunk and branches. Verticillium infects through roots. Both fungi grow in the water conducting tissue to prevent movement of water from roots to the crown. Infected branches die throughout the tree. If the trunk is infected, trees die from the top down. There is no control for Cytospora or verticillium. Fungicides will not work against them and are a waste of money if applied. While lightly infected trees can survive if infected branches are removed, the tree may continue to dieback. For these diseases, we can only recommend correct watering and mulching and not fertilizing stressed trees with nitrogen. 

For all trees, consider using soaker hoses and bark or wood chip mulches to keep the root area of trees cool and moist. When watering, moisten the soil 8 to 10 inches deep for trees. Insert a screwdriver to determine depth. When mulching, place organic mulch on moist soil in a 4 to 6-foot diameter ring. Make sure the mulch is only 2 to 4 inches deep and not piled against the tree trunk. 

Because overwatering is just as harmful to trees as underwatering, pay close attention to soil moisture before watering. Established trees may only need a deep watering once a month, depending on soil type. And know that frequent lawn irrigation can lead to overwatering or a lack of soil oxygen which is also important for root growth. 

Young or newly planted trees will need more frequent irrigation as their roots are not well established. Be sure to keep the root ball and at least a few feet of soil beyond the planting hole moist, but not saturated, to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Watering outside of the root ball encourages root growth into surrounding soil. 

Fifteen years ago, I met twenty-nine talented individuals with a passion of agriculture through the Nebraska LEAD program. To date, I remain friends with many of them and the networking opportunities have been tremendous. The in-state seminars challenged me to think outside of the box and remain an advocate for agriculture. I could go on and on about the excellent opportunities the LEAD program has provided, but I challenge you to experience it yourself!

The Nebraska LEAD Program began 40 years ago to develop agricultural leaders from Nebraska’s future generations. The constant changes that occur in agricultural policy, marketing, economics, and technology point to the need for strong leaders to advocate for the heart of Nebraska’s economy–agriculture. Now in its third decade of forming pioneering agricultural leaders, it has evolved into one of the nation’s premier agricultural leadership development programs.

The program is recognized both statewide and nationally as an innovative organization that has improved Nebraska in many ways. For example, many members of commodity boards, extension boards, local school boards, or local church councils, count themselves among our 1000+ alumni.

The Nebraska LEAD Program is Nebraska’s only comprehensive state-wide agricultural leadership development program. Participants are selected each year for a two-year fellowship. During the two-year period:

• LEAD Fellows participate in 12 three-day in-state seminars, which include spouses on four occasions.
• Seminars are conducted at 11 cooperating public and private colleges and universities from across Nebraska.

Presenters represent a wide range of disciplines, from college and university levels, government, corporate executives, prominent community leaders, educational backgrounds, community development, leadership, rural development interpersonal skills and more!

Although the program attempts to present as many sides to current issues as possible to the participants, the program itself is both non-political and nonpartisan by design. During the first year, participants study local, state, and national issues. The first year also includes a ten-day national study/travel seminar to three major U.S. cities. Meetings with representatives from government, industry and national organizations complement the year’s seminar study and provide participants with practical first-hand exposure to the varied social, political, and economic conditions that exist in this country.

The second-year curriculum builds on the first-year topics with added global perspectives. Emphasis is placed on international trade, foreign policy, cross-cultural understanding, and geopolitics. The capstone of the second year’s study is a 14–16-day international study/travel seminar to several selected countries in the world. Considering that many of the world’s most critical problems tie directly with agriculture–population expansion, increasing food deficiencies, global trade dependencies, energy concerns–the international seminar provides immeasurable learning opportunities for heightened global understanding for more effective agricultural leadership and perspectives.

Applications are due no later than June 15 and are available via e-mail from the Nebraska LEAD Program.  Please contact Shana at sgerdes2@unl.edu.   You may also request an application by calling (402) 472-6810.         

Nebraska LEAD Program offices are in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. If you are even thinking about applying, contact me and I’d be more than happy to share my experiences with you and visit with you about this life-changing opportunity!

As we enter the spring and summer months, nothing smells better than a delicious, juicy hamburger or steak on the grill and being able to barbecue outside with friends and family. It’s no surprise then that May is National Beef Month!  The beef industry is especially important to Nebraska’s economy. According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska is first in commercial cattle slaughter, second in beef and veal exports and second in commercial red meat production. According to the Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska has the top three beef cow counties in the U.S., including the nation’s No. 1 cow county – Cherry County, with nearly 166,000 cows. Custer County is No. 2 (100,000) and Holt County is No. 3 (99,000). Also among the top counties in the nation is Lincoln County at No. 12 (69,000).

The Nebraska Beef Council also reports that nearly 5 million head are finished and marketed in Nebraska, a state with a population of 1.9 million residents. January 2022 figures illustrate that Nebraska continues to have far more cattle than people. The 1.8 million cows combined with the nearly 5 million head that are annually fed in Nebraska total nearly 6.8 million cattle. That’s over 3.5 times more cattle than people in Nebraska!

So, why is Nebraska, the beef state?  It has a unique mix of natural resources and according to the Nebraska Beef Council, cattle turn grass from 24 million acres of rangeland and pasture, more than one half of Nebraska’s land mass, into protein and many other products for humans. Land that is grazed allows more people to be fed than otherwise possible and more than one billion bushels of corn are produced in Nebraska, of which 40% is fed to livestock in the state.

Now that I have explained how and why the beef industry is important to Nebraska, let’s explore the health benefits of beef. Beef is a good source of zinc, iron and protein and there are 29 cuts of beef that meet the government labeling guidelines for being lean. In fact, a 3-ounce cooked serving of lean beef (which is about the size of a deck of cards) provides 10 essential nutrients and about half of the daily value of protein in about 170 calories. According to recent research from Purdue University, the cuts of beef considered lean can be included as a part of a heart-healthy diet to support cardiovascular health and has consistently demonstrated that the nutrients in beef promote health through life.

With May being beef month, I want to remind you that the 2023 Nebraska Beef Passport launched May 1 in locations across the state that are known for offering outstanding beef. This year’s participants include 29 restaurants and 17 meat processors. This is the 3^rd year of the program which encourages people to visit the featured locations and earn points towards prizes offered by the Nebraska Beef Council.  Check is out at nebeef.org.

If you would like more information on beef production, you can view our Nebraska Extension website beef.unl.edu. Our Extension experts have a variety of articles from beef nutrition to reproduction to lease information. If you would like recipes or tips for preparing beef, you can also check out Nebraska Extension’s food.unl.edu website. There are some great tips on saving money when purchasing beef and links to the Nebraska Beef Council’s website which has great recipes as well.

Enjoy some beef today! 

Classes are being offered in several locations throughout state for teens 14 or 15 years old who work on farms. Teens 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms, or others interested in learning about tractor and farm equipment safety practices, can register for a safety training course offered at locations across Nebraska in May and June. 

The course is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Extension and the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health. Students will complete the first day of the course by attending a hands-on event at one of two locations or online through the eXtension Foundation Campus website. The hands-on events will occur on May 22 in North Platte and May 30 in Grand Island. After completing the hands-on event or the online course and testing, the required driving test will be offered at locations across Nebraska in May and June. 

Federal law prohibits children under 16 from using specific equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and do field work with specific mechanized equipment. 

Aaron Yoder, PhD, associate professor at the UNMC College of Public Health, reports that a common cause of agricultural-related injuries and deaths in Nebraska is overturned tractors and ATVs and equipment entanglements. He emphasized that this course trains students to avoid these incidents and many other hazards on the farm and ranch. 

The hands-on event and the online course will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, including quizzes that students must pass to attend the driving portion of the training. Once a student is registered, the coordinators will send instructions, materials, course paperwork and a link to the online course if they do not attend one of the two hands-on events. 

The onsite driving training and exam will include a driving test, equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. Instructors also will offer education on emergency preparedness, personal protective equipment, and safe behaviors and laws for ATVs, utility-task vehicles (UTVs) and other off-road vehicles (ORVs). 

Instructors for the course are members of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health: Aaron Yoder, PhD, Ellen Duysen, Risto Rautiainen, PhD, and graduate student Sarah Tucker; and Nebraska Extension educators Randy Saner, Ron Seymour and John Thomas. 

The course costs $35 and includes educational materials and supplies. Participants can pay at the time of registration or before the driving exam. Only checks and cash are accepted. The closest hands-on training, driving dates, site locations and site coordinator contact information are below. 

Hands-On Safety Days (If not attending a Hands-On Safety Day, online course must be completed). 

May 30 – Raising Nebraska, 501 East Fonner Park Rd., Grand Island 

Contacts: Randy Saner (randy.saner@unl.edu) and Vicki Neidhardt (vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu) at 308.532.2683 

Tractor Driving Days 

May 31 – Raising Nebraska, 501 East Fonner Park Rd., Grand Island 

Contacts: Randy Saner (randy.saner@unl.edu) and Vicki Neidhardt (vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu) at 308.532.2683 

June 6 – Adams County Extension, 2975 South Baltimore Ave., Hastings 

Contact: Ron Seymour (ron.seymour@unl.edu) at 402.461.7209 

Registration form located here: https://go.unl.edu/2023tractorsafety 

If you have questions, please contact the administrator listed above at your driving site or contact Ellen Duysen at ellen.duysen@unmc.edu. 

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day

Current 1^st through 6^th graders are invited to attend Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva, NE.  Early registration forms and $5 are due April 28^th; forms can be downloaded at fillmore.unl.edu. After April 28^th, registration is $10/youth. For more info or to register, call 402-759-3712 or email brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

Recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America, Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) provides age-appropriate, hands-on educational lessons primarily designed for children ages 4 to 13 years old. Since the program’s start in 1995, more than 1.9 million individuals have been reached in 45 states, two U.S. territories, and nine Canadian provinces.  Trained PAF Safety Day Coordinators partner within their community, using one of the three delivery modes, to customize their PAF Safety Day selecting from more than 30 safety and health topics with hundreds of activities and demonstrations to meet the needs of the youth in their area.

Statistics from those impacted by a farm-related injury or death are sobering. Many know someone who was impacted by a farm accident that in many cases could have been prevented. Therefore, I feel so passionately about conducting the Annual Progressive Safety Day each year. The Progressive Agriculture Foundation provides safety and health information to rural communities that need it, which is why I’ve teamed up with them. The mission of Progressive Agriculture Days is simple – to provide education, training, and resources to make farm and ranch life safer and healthier for children and their communities. The vision is that “no child become ill, injured or die from farm, ranch and rural activities.”

Locally, since I have been involved with a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day in Geneva, we have grown from approximately 60 participants to 120 youth from surrounding counties. This half-day event involves many volunteers and local sponsors to make the program what it is today. Every year, business staff or volunteers help teach the hands-on activities. In addition, area FFA chapters assist in delivery of sessions and guiding youth participants to each session.

Current 1^st through 6^th graders are invited to attend Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva, NE.  Youth will participate in a variety of events designed to help them be aware of safety in potentially hazardous situations in and around rural and agricultural settings, including electricity, grain safety, fire safety, bike safety, underground utility safety, burn safety, tractor safety, etc.  NE Extension hosts this event in Fillmore County, along with Shickley, Fillmore Central, Exeter-Milligan-Friend FFA chapters, 4-H, W.I.F.E. and Fillmore County Emergency Management.

Early registration forms and $5 are due April 28^th; forms can be downloaded at fillmore.unl.edu. After April 28^th, registration is $10/youth. For more info or to register, call 402-759-3712 or email brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

The next several articles I will be sharing will focus on the 4-H Thrive Model which focuses to ensure high quality 4-H programs for youth and positive youth development. In the 4-H Thriving Model this process of positive youth development is described by seven indicators of thriving: openness to challenge and discover, growth mindset, hopeful purpose, pro-social orientation, transcendent awareness, positive emotionality and self-regulation though goal setting and management. This first article focuses on volunteers which are the heart to a high quality 4-H program.

4-H Volunteers Help Youth Thrive   

Volunteers have been the long-time champions for the 4-H program, delivering 4-H experiences to youth across the nation for decades. Volunteers bring invaluable skills and resources to their role, dedicating hours to teaching youth new skills and helping them grow as leaders. It is certainly not difficult to visibly see a volunteer’s impact in this way.  

However, there are many other ways in which volunteers help youth thrive that are not as easy to visibly see. Volunteers, specifically 4-H club leaders, undoubtedly are a key part of the 4-H program and the impact on youth for years to come. But, how? This happens through developmental relationships, which are close connections through which young people discover who they are, cultivate abilities to shape their own lives and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.   

Developmental relationships between youth and adults are important aspect of the 4-H program. Research shows that the relational quality between the 4-H leader, volunteer and member is connected to positive youth development. 4-H volunteers foster a developmental relationship with youth when they express care, challenge growth, provide, support, share power and expand possibilities.  

Some of the ways 4-H volunteers build a developmental relationship with youth is through a variety of visible approaches. Examples include, but are not limited to, showing youth they enjoyed spending time together, making youth feel known and valued, being someone youth can trust and praising youth for their efforts and achievements. Implementing these approaches to having a developmental relationship with youth encourages youth to know their 4-H club leader cares about them and their success.  

Healthy developmental relationships grow over time to move past a mainly adult-driven relationship to shifting the power to the youth. In addition, as the relationship between the 4-H leader and the youth continues to grow and foster a deeper connection, the impact on the youth deepens as well.  

Thank you, 4-H volunteers, for creating 4-H experiences for youth to experience new skills and helping them grow as leaders, and ultimately finding their spark in life!  

This article was written by Jill Goedeken, Nebraska Extension Educator.

Since early 2020 our world has changed greatly. You may find yourself reaching out to engage with youth virtually more than you ever thought you would. As many of you enter the world of online learning and meetings it is important to consider the safety and security of your participants. Remember to consider virtual programming in the same lens that you would for in-person programming. It is just as important to make participants feel safe and inclusive as they did when meeting in person.

As you prepare for your virtual learning experience think about the following. 

• Use passwords and/or waiting rooms to protect from unwanted participants.
• No one-on-one interactions. Have a second adult managing or participating in the virtual experience.
• Notify parents that you will be using virtual platforms to connect with their child.
• Keep conversational, professional, and focused on educational or meeting purposes.
• Make sure your background is appropriate for audience.
• Watch for outside party connections and be prepared to remove or close out of learning experience, i.e. hackers, unintended participants
• Be aware of online capabilities of your club members. Do they ALL have access to technology? Do they know how to use technology safely?
• Do not make video a requirement. Parents/Guardians may not be comfortable allowing video conferencing.
• Create some ground rules for usage and participation in virtual environments.

It is also a good idea to remind participants how they can keep themselves safe. 

• Do not provide identifiable details such as address, school, full names.
• Remind that photos and videos shared online always have the potential for becoming a permanent part of history.
• Never share passwords or links to join virtual experience with others.
• Do not respond to messages that make you feel bullied, threatened, or uncomfortable.
• Never post or say anything that could hurt others.
• Be careful of what you are showing in the background that might identify where you are. This is especially important if meeting with people you may not know.

It is just as important to keep a safe online learning environment as it is to keep youth engaged by creating educational, active, and fun learning experiences. 

(This article was written by Kimberly Cook, Nebraska Extension Educator.)

Adapting and connecting with different generations takes practice. The Farmers & Ranchers College, in partnership with the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program, will host Becky Fouard to discuss this important topic. Join us at 5:30 p.m. at the Geneva Public Library in Geneva, NE.

One of the coolest parts about being in the professional space is the ability to work with people from all different generations and life stages. With that said, working with people who grew up in different circumstances and with different influences can cause differences in how we see the world, what motivates us, and how we operate. In this presentation, we will focus on a general understanding of the differences between key generations in the workplace today, and how to lead and engage with each of these generations for a thriving organization and business relationships. Registration is free but appreciated for prep purposes.

About the speaker

Becky Fouard grew up on a small farm in Kansas, and through 4-H and FFA found her passion for people, agriculture, and leadership. After graduating from Kansas State University in Agricultural Communications and journalism, with a minor in leadership, Becky stepped into an array of roles that eventually took her to Indianapolis Indiana.

Her first role out of college was with the Kansas State Department of Agriculture and focused on branding and marketing local products in the state as well as globally. Becky then took a role with Elanco Animal Health in 2013 in marketing. Since then, Becky has held roles in global marketing, corporate communications, corporate social responsibility, and today she leads two key leadership programs with Elanco through the Global Learning and Development team.

While Becky works at Elanco during the day, she also has two other key passions she puts effort towards. Becky acts as a life coach and leadership consultant through her On The Rise Group business, with her partner Ashleyne Seitz, and also co-owns a CrossFit gym with her husband in Indianapolis (M4G CrossFit). At the heart of everything Becky does is the passion and drive to help others live an authentic, fulfilled, and healthy life.