Category: Uncategorized

Programming, Youth

Progressive Agriculture Safety Days Celebrates Twenty Years!

Brandy VanDeWalle

Nebraska Extension in Fillmore County, Fillmore Central & Shickley FFA and the Fillmore County WIFE organizations are proud to help the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program celebrate its 20th Anniversary by conducting a Safety Day on May 28th at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva, NE. This Safety Day is being planned for children currently in grades 1-5 and interested youth in older grades. This year’s program will focus on bike safety & helmets, pinch point demo, drug dog demo, medical helicopter visit, combine safety, hearing safety, train safety, lawn mower safety, electrical safety and more!Safety_DayFor the past 20 years, the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program has continued the mission of providing education and training to make farm, ranch and rural life safer and healthier for children and their communities. Nebraska Extension has been helping the program achieve this mission for years. In 2015, ADULT safety sessions have been added with sessions that include: fire safety & extinguisher demo, grain bin excavation demo, electrical safety and hearing awareness for $10/person which includes a t-shirt, lunch, refreshments and over $50 of FREE safety items (guaranteed to the first 25 who RSVP).

Current 1st through 5th graders are invited to attend Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds. Youth will participate in a variety of events designed to help them be aware of safety in potentially hazardous situations such as bike riding, agricultural settings, electrical safety and others.   A registration and consent form is required by all youth who participate.

From humble beginnings in 1995 with the introduction of 19 Safety Day Camps to achieving international recognition in present day with more than 400 Safety Days annually, the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program is now recognized as the largest rural safety and health program for children in North America. During the program’s first year, a total of 2,800 participants and volunteers were reached throughout the South and Midwest and now the program impacts close to 110,000 annually. To date, more than 1.3 million children and adults have been impacted by the program.

In recognition of the 20 year milestone, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation has encouraged coordinators of Progressive Agriculture Safety Days to incorporate this achievement into their locaSunSafetyWEBl programs in a variety of ways from participation in a 20th anniversary t-shirt design contest to sharing past success stories.

The success of Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program has been made possible thanks to the generous and continued support of international sponsors including as well as local sponsors. Dedicated community volunteers are at the heart of the Safety Day program fulfilling a variety of roles and assuring children receive hands-on experiences in a variety of safety-related topics including ATV, electricity, fire, animal, and farm equipment safety.

For more information about the Fillmore County Progressive Agriculture Safety Day®, please contact Brandy VanDeWalle at 402-759-3712 or brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu. Additional information can be found at http://www.progressiveag.org/

Programming

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Brandy VanDeWalle

Several times throughout the year I receive calls asking, “What can I do with my old paint, cleaning products and lawn chemicals, etc.?” Coming up soon, is the opportunity to properly dispose of those products. On Saturday, April 25th from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Fillmore County Shop located at 615 F Street in Geneva there will be a Household Hazardous Waste Collection which is free of charge with financial support provided through a grant by the Trailblazer RC & D from the NE Dept of Environmental Quality Litter Reduction & Recycling Grant Program and other assistance provided by the Fillmore County Supervisors and Fillmore County Development Corporation.

Items accepted include: all paint, cleaning products, lawn & garden chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, used oil, antifreeze, batteries, florescent bulbs and mercury items (such as thermometers & thermostats) in household quantities only! Items NOT accepted include: tires, electronic equipment, appliances, PCBs, Picric Acid, science lab materials, radioactive materials, biological hazards, pharmaceuticals, items containing asbestos, wood preservatives, explosives or commercial quantities. For more information, contact the Fillmore County Development Corporation at (402) 7569-4910 or Larry Cerny at (402) 759-4369.

Resources available in Nebraska include:

NE NDA Hazardous Waste Directory

Keep Nebraska Beautiful

Programming, Youth

Big Red Crops Camp: Youth Discover Crop Science

Brandy VanDeWalle

Are you interested in science, agriculture, plants, crops, insects, or diseases? If so, join our team of detectives to solve crop-related problems in the Crop Science Investigation (CSI) Big Red Camp! Become a detective while participating in hands-on sessions to learn about and increase your knowledge of crops, science, and agricultural careers. Youth detectives will interact with agronomic professionals across Nebraska to solve experiments in: nutrient management; managing disease, insect and weed problems; water management; crop production, and much more! Do you have what it takes to become a CSI detective?

Youth in Crop Sciences Investigation (CSI) workshops learn about crop production and have the opportunity in investiage what pests might be present in the field.
Youth who attend Big Red Camp – Crop Science learn about crop production and have the opportunity in investigate what pests might be present in the field.

There are a variety of careers related to plant sciences such as: Agricultural Communicator; Agronomist; Crop Consultant; Crop Insurance Adjuster; Educator; Co-op Manager; Farmer or Rancher; Farm Credit Banker; Field or Lab Researcher; Plant Breeder; Soil or Water Conservationist; Seed, Fertilizer, or Chemical Sales; or Technical Representative.

This program was held two years and one participant said, “It (the camp) let me see all of what an agronomy career is made up of.” All youth said they would recommend this camp to their friends. As I write this, there are several spots already taken, so be sure and get your registration form in soon to ensure a spot at this year’s camp.

To register or download a camp brochure, visit BIGREDCAMPS.UNL.EDU. Final registration deadline of May 1st! Scholarships are available for crops camp. If you have questions about the camp or the required essays, please feel free to contact me at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or 402-759-3712.

Uncategorized

International Year of Soils

Brandy VanDeWalle

Another blog I post related to soils and resources for teaching soils is the soilsproject.wordpress.com. This blog provides resources from the Soil Science Society of America’s International Year of Soils.

Brandy VanDeWalle's avatarNebraska Ag Ed Soils Project

Did you know it is the International Year of Soils?

There are monthly themes which offers a lesson plan and activities based on that theme.

The themes are: IYSoils

January – Soils Sustain Life
February – Soils Support Urban Life
March-Soils Support Agriculture
April – Soils Clean and Capture Water
May – Soils Support Buildings/Infrastructure
June – Soils Support Recreation 
July – Soils are Living
August – Soils Support Health
September – Soils Protect the Natural Environment
October – Soils & the Products We Use
November – Soils & Climate
December – Soils, Culture & People 

For these lessons and other great ideas on teaching about soils, go to the Soil Science Society of America’s website.

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Crops, Programming

National Agriculture Day

Brandy VanDeWalle

National Agriculture Day, March 18, spotlights American agriculture and serves as a reminder that agriculture is part of us all. The U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers join producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations in marking this occasion.AgDayLogo

“National Agriculture Day is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the importance of the people who provide our food,” said Scott Heiberger, spokesman for the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, one of the 10 U.S. Ag Centers. “We want to highlight how important the health and wellbeing of the people in agriculture is to our whole society.”

The U.S. Ag Centers are promoting the theme, “Celebrating Safe and Healthy Ag Workers,” on this 42nd anniversary of National Agriculture Day. #AgDay2015 #farmsafety #USAGCenters

The Centers (www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/agctrhom.html) are funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Visit the Centers’ YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/USagCenters) for new content and fresh ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Topics include: personal protective equipment, livestock safety, tractor and machinery safety, child development, emergency response, grain safety, pesticide safety, heat illness prevention, ladder safety and hearing protection.

National Agriculture Day is being hosted by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA). National Ag Day is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

  • Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
  • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
  • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
  • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

Source: Scott Heiberger, U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers

Programming

Women in Agriculture

Brandy VanDeWalle

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the 30th Annual Nebraska Women in Agriculture conference. This was only the second year I have participated and well worth the time! Discussions around advocating for agriculture were very powerful. Rebecca Long-Chaney was very inspirational and reminded us that no matter how busy we are in life; make time for family and friends. Her message and involvement with “agvocacy” is to be commended and wia-01her twin daughters also have shared their experiences in agriculture through children’s stories. With all of the anti-ag Chipotle ads, Meatrix videos and other false information out there, it is good to know there are some people sharing the factual information about modern agriculture. The bottom line is that even though farmers and ranchers shouldn’t have to defend their way of life and jobs, we need to because of the increasing disconnect consumers have with agriculture.

Simple ways of communicating the facts about modern agriculture include writing letters to the editor, educating youth in classrooms or programs, buying factual agricultural library books for your child’s schools/communities, having a 30 second elevator speech on agriculture ready and sharing it every opportunity you have (especially in urban areas), engaging in social media and inviting people to your farm or ranch to show them the great job you do!

There were so many other great sessions from crop insurance and marketing updates to emergency preparedness and water updates. One of the things that were emphasized was how women involved in agriculture (especially spouses of farmers/ranchers) are truly the “heart of agriculture”. Women play a key role in supporting agriculture through a variety of ways and it made me hope that someday, not only will I be able to work with ag producers and youth, but my husband and I will be able to have a small ag operation of our own so we can instill the hard work ethic and values into our daughters which were instilled in my husband and I.

If you are a female and involved in agriculture, I highly recommend you take time out of your busy schedules to participate in the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference next year!

Programming

Precision Ag Workshops

Brandy VanDeWalle

Learn how to extract more information from your precision ag data at one of several Nebraska Extension workshops this winter. Yield monitor data is one of the most valuable pieces of farm information that is gathered each year. Utilizing yield, soil, and input data to its fullest potential is the objective in developing an integrated agronomic management system. This workshop will help drive informed decisions and make the most of data you already have to drive future profitability.IMG_2639

The Precision Ag Data Management Workshops will offer lectures and hands-on activities using Ag Leaders SMS Advanced software.  (Laptops and data will be supplied.) Each site will be limited to 25 registrants.

Session topics will demonstrate strategies to: conduct multi-year yield data normalization analyses; analyze yield monitor data versus as-applied split planter hybrid data; quantify yield monitor data versus NRCS soil survey boundaries and soil electrical conductivity (EC) maps generated from Veris data; develop prescription maps for crop inputs under irrigated and dryland conditions and export to an in-cab monitor; and develop and evaluate the performance of management plans for corn seeding rates using on-farm research strategies.

Schedule

Programs are the same at each site and begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 24 — York, 4-H Bldg., 2400 Nebraska Ave.; register by Feb. 20
    Contact: Gary Zoubek, (402) 362-5508 or zoubek@unl.edu
  • Wednesday, Feb. 25 — Clay Center, Clay County Activities Bldg.; register by Feb. 20   Contact: Jenny Rees, (402) 762-3644 or rees@unl.edu
  • Thursday, March 5 — Geneva, Public Library; register by Feb. 27
    Contact: Brandy VanDeWalle, (402) 759-3712 or vandewalle@unl.edu

Registration is $50. Add $15 for an additional registrant from the same farm operation who will share a computer and add $20 for anyone requesting CCA CEUs. CCA CEUs are currently pending approval. Six credits are anticipated for the successful completion of the workshop (one credit each for soil and water, soil fertility, and professional development and three credits for crop management). Registration includes learning guides, a jump drive with similar information, and lunch.

To register, contact the Extension office indicated in the schedule by the deadline listed. To contact our office, call 402-759-3712 or email me at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

Uncategorized

When “sustainable” becomes unsustainable…Feedback Friday

Brandy VanDeWalle

Some “food” for thought from my colleague, Lindsay Chichester focused in beef and consumer education.

lindsaychichester's avatarAgricultural with Dr. Lindsay

This morning I saw the news article that Chipotle had announced they would now be sourcing all of their beef from Australia, instead of from Texas (or any other state that produces beef). I was confused and still am. So I thought I would throw it out for a Feedback Friday post.

Now before you think this is a personal attack on Chipotle, it is not. This is an attack on any USA based company that isn’t even giving the USA a chance to produce the product. I love that consumers (myself included) have choices on where they eat and they type of food they eat. We get choices on what to watch on tv, what to wear, who to spend time with, and of course with our food – a huge perk of living in America.

From what I understand, Chipotle sources its product from sustainable, humanely raised

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Uncategorized

THE DAY THAT COULD START YOUR STORY IN CASNR….

Brandy VanDeWalle

Thinking about college but not sure what to do? Experience the power of red at this program!

kimmelteam1's avatarKimmel Education & Research Center

students2shortExperience the Power of Red — Spring Edition

Thursday, April 2, 8:30am-12:00p.m.

An event where you’ll learn how the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) prepares students for careers in everything from animals to plants, soil to climate, golf to business, mechanization to leadership, and food to forensic science.

You’ll meet faculty, staff and current students to get the scoop on what life at UNL is really like. Explore campus in person and get a true sense of the UNL CASNR experience.

Schedule:
  • 8:30 a.m. Registration/Browsing Session
  • 9:15 a.m. Welcome and Overview
  • 9:45 a.m. Move to First Session
  • 10:00 a.m. First Session
  • 10:30 a.m. Move to Second Session
  • 10:45 a.m. Second Session
  • 11:15 a.m. Lunch/Wrap-Up/Scholarship Drawing
  • 12:00 p.m. East Campus Tour (optional)
  • 1:00 p.m. City Campus Experience/Tour (optional)
Register:

Please register by March 26 at http://go.unl.edu/springday

Questions:

For more information contact us at (800) 742-8800, ext. 2541 or lfrey2@unl.edu.

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Programming

Damian Mason Coming to Fillmore County!

Brandy VanDeWalle

The last Farmers & Ranchers College workshop for the 2014-15 programming year will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva, NE with registration starting at 5:30 p.m., a meal at 6:00 p.m. and the program to follow. The program, “Ag: Trends, Topics & Tomorrow” will be high on content and very entertaining with “Agriculture’s Funny Man”, Damian Mason.Damian Mason headshot

Damian Mason is a professional speaker, entertainer, writer, businessman and farm owner. Long before Damian enjoyed professional success in business or on the speaking circuit, he was a farm boy. At age 8 he had his first job, bottle -feeding calves on the Indiana dairy farm where he was raised. Like many children of agriculture, he was involved in FFA and was a ten-year 4-H member. Damian has a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. He has also studied comedy writing and improvisation at The Second City in Chicago.

Few people are hilariously funny and farm knowledgeable. Damian is! He’s delivered his hit program “Humor for the Heart of Agriculture” to the most recognizable names and organizations in the agricultural industry. Since 1994, he’s made over 1400 appearances, entertaining crowds in 50 states and 7 foreign countries. Damian is passionate about the industry of feeding, fueling and clothing the world. His presentations are funny, smart, professional and, above all, respectful to the people of agriculture.

Damian is a member of the National Speakers Association, the Screen Actors Guild and the Indiana Farm Bureau.   He and his wife Lori live (and work!) on a 200-acre beef, grain and timber farm in Huntington, Indiana.

We are extremely fortunate to have Damian Mason come to Fillmore County as he will provide an informative but also hilarious presentation, perfect for any audience involved in the business of food, fuel & fiber. “Agriculture: Trends, Topics and Tomorrow” will provide a provocative, yet positive look at the issues impacting contemporary agriculture.

Contributions and support of area businesses allow participants to attend at no cost, however it is requested that people RSVP at least a week in advance for an accurate meal count by calling Fillmore County Extension at (402) 759-3712.

The Farmers and Ranchers College Committee consists of Fred Bruning of Bruning, Bryan Dohrman of Grafton, Sarah Miller of Carleton, Jennifer Engle of Fairmont, Ryne Norton of York, Jim Donovan of Geneva, Bryce Kassik of Geneva, Eric Kamler of Geneva, and Brandy VanDeWalle of Ohiowa.