I want to take a moment to share with you some of my 2020 local accomplishments through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Extension Program. From a larger perspective, UNL may not always be front and center, but shines through the many of the farmers, agronomists, seed dealers, Ag retailers and others that received degrees from UNL. Farmers and their service providers use resources, read articles, and attend trainings offered by the outreach arm of UNL called Nebraska Extension. It might not be me or another Extension educator who helps you directly, but we often help you indirectly when your adviser leverages science-based information from Nebraska Extension.
In 2020, I worked one-on-one with clients on their over 500 requests for assistance through phone, email, texts, and site-visits. Over 30% of clients requested information or assistance on winter wheat and other small grains production, 25% on pasture, grass, and alfalfa, and 10% related to pest management and pesticides. Other main categories included corn, soybean, and nutrient management. These clients were mostly from Saline, Jefferson, Gage counties, but included clients from 27 other Nebraska counties and 3 neighboring states. I launched a new multi-county website focused on local agronomic issues in southeast Nebraska called Crop Tech Cafe. Over 2,900 Nebraskans visited the website in 2020. This local website works as the spoke of a wheel connecting many of my programs. For example, the event program webpage for the Wilber Crop Clinic, which had over 100 attendee, still has all the presentations and resources shared for those of you that did not attend in person. The website serves as another online option for sharing all 50 news columns I wrote in 2020 including the 11-part series on soybean micronutrient management.
Several things you may not have known I did in 2020. First, I allocated funds and collaborated with the City of Wilber to install a new long-term regional weather station. This new weather station will monitor soil moisture and temperature at various depths down to 40 inches, measure precipitation year-around, estimate daily crop water use, and provide real-time and archived data. The weather station will be operational this spring and data accessed through the UNL Mesonet. I completed all 38 USDA-NASS crop progress and condition reports that was averaged into the statewide numbers. I allocated funds for you to get a free copy of the new Nebraska Soybean & Corn Pocket Field Guide created in partnership between Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Corn and Soybean Boards. Please pick up your free copy at our Extensions offices in Wilber, Fairbury, and Beatrice. If you grow winter wheat, you can sign up for added Extension services being offered through my Winter Wheat Works Initiative by contacting me.
I formed a new agronomy Extension advisory group composed of 11 stakeholders including farmers, agronomists, and commodity board members. They conducted a needs assessment of local agronomic issues, extension programs, and resources to help me serve the area better, especially as a new educator. These 2020 accomplishments are just the few of many efforts I made to serve Nebraskans in Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties. Happy New Year and feel free to contact me at or 402-821-1722. Know your crop, know your tech, know your bottom line at croptechcafe.org.
