Professionals to discuss benefits of Farming with Prairie Strips

Join resource professionals for a discussion of prairie strips and their benefits during the Farming with Prairie Strips event June 17 south of Craig, Nebraska.

The public is invited to this free event, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., which will include a look into the practicality and economics of prairie strips. It will include producer testimonials and a review of program options for those interested.

The event begins at the farm of Ed and Leta Olson at 1525 County Road A, with sign-in, a brief introduction, then a field tour to existing Conservation Reserve Program sites.

Lunch will be provided at Logan View High School located at 2163 County Road G, Hooper, where afternoon presentations will take place.

Register at nebraskapf.com/habitat-tours or call Rob Peterson at 402-838-3022. Direct any questions to [email protected].

Prairie strips are planted native prairie grasses or wildflowers that act as in-field contour buffers or edge-of-field strips. They protect soil and water while providing habitat for wildlife and perform better than other vegetation types. According to Iowa State University, which has been the leader in prairie strip research for 15 years, the strips can reduce sediment movement and phosphorous and nitrogen runoff from farm fields.

The event is coordinated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. The agencies aim to replicate prairie strip successes in Iowa to Nebraska.