2011 State Fair
The 2011 State Fair was a very successful fair. If you have read the reviews in the media, you know that the ratings of attendees was very impressive; about 4.5 on a 5 point scale. The public liked what they saw and were eager to express their enthusiasm for the 4-H and FFA exhibits and competitive events, the renewed emphasis put on agriculture, and the many vendor displays. The state fair has grown in stature during its two initial years in Grand Island due to the efforts of many individuals and groups. One of the groups who gave unselfishly of their time in 2011 were the UNL Extension staff. My gratitude to each of you who contributed to the success of the fair and helped create the positive attitude with which the 4-H participants, their families, and all Nebraskans welcomed the event.
Flood Recovery Efforts
As waters recede from farmland that has been covered for several months by Missouri River flooding, a joint Iowa State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshop addressed cropland recovery issues. The Flood Recovery for Cropland webinar was hosted by 20+ local Extension programs from South Dakota to Missouri, including eight in Nebraska. Faculty from the two universities addressed sedimentation and debris removal, managing post-flooding soils: flooded soil syndrome, cover crops for soil health, and leases and crop insurance on flooded land. Thanks to John Wilson for his leadership for the joint UNL/ISU team and to Paul Jasa for his presentation. Archived webinars and four new fact sheets can be found at http://flood.unl.edu/crops.
Family, Youth, and Community Partners
The Family, Youth, and Community Partners will meet this Friday. Their guest speaker will be Dr. Ronnie Green who will describe opportunities for IANR as a contributing partner on Innovation Campus. He will also describe some of his dreams and hopes for all of Nebraska through the efforts of the 2025 visioning process. The Partners will meet this month in Varner Hall. Jill Jank, Lincoln, is the current President of the Partners.
Agricultural Research Division Position Updates
Archie C. Clutter has accepted an offer to become the next Dean of the Agricultural Research Division (ARD) and Director of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Clutter’s first day on the job will be Monday, Sept. 26. Dr. Clutter has most recently served as vice president for research and development at Newsham Choice Genetics, one of the world’s leading swine genetics companies. He served as a professor of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University from 1987-2000 and held several research and development positions in Monsanto from 2000-07. He has a distinguished record of research, teaching, and service in the field of animal genetics and genomics and will bring significant and broad experience and leadership talent to IANR and its research programs. He holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal breeding and genetics from UNL and a B.S. degree in agribusiness from Iowa State University.
Larkin Powell has been selected to serve as Interim ARD Associate Dean (50%) to fill in for Deb Hamernik who is currently in an interim position in the Research and Economic Development Office. Larkin’s first day in ARD was Monday, Sept. 12.
-- Elbert C. Dickey