Local Interest

The annual Nebraska Tractor and Equipment safety certification course with hands-on safety will be held in June at Gordon and Gering. The course is hosted by Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health.

Federal law prohibits children under 16 from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. The certification course allows 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and certain mechanized equipment. 

By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Educator

The Yonts Water Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center, in Scottsbluff. The morning begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. with Dr. Xin Qiao, Nebraska Extension water and irrigation management specialist. He will discuss ways to improve irrigation efficiencies and give a research update on new irrigation technologies.

By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications Specialist

Nebraska’s only Sewing Lab opened to the public on Jan. 22 at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center, PREEC, in Scottsbluff. The lab is the 4-H Lego Club Panhandle Cookie Bytes, Innovation Project, which is a part of the Nebraska FIRST LEGO® League Competition.

“This year, First Lego League's goal was to promote the arts through STEM,” said Natalie Creech, Scottsbluff 4-H leader. So, the kids chose to do sewing. We evaluated their hobbies and made spidergraphs (like treegraphs) to weigh out the options, and sewing came out on top.” Then, the club realized they could best serve the community by creating a sewing lab. 

With the recent warm weather in Western Nebraska, army cutworms have been spotted in southern Sioux County and central Lincoln County. With spring approaching, this pest may be seen in Nebraska crop fields in the near future. It is an important time to scout for army cutworm, particularly in winter wheat and alfalfa.

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center will again offer the “Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center Student Scholarship.” Two scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded. The application period will be open from March 1 to April 15, 2024. 

The Scotts Bluff County Council of Homemaker Club is offering two $500.00 scholarships to any Scotts Bluff County resident enrolled in agricultural, human resources, nursing, business and family sciences curriculum. Applicants can be graduating high school seniors or college students planning to attend college in 2024. The scholarship is paid to the school after completion of the 2024 fall semester. The student must maintain a C average or the scholarship will be forfeited.

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