North Platte Natural Resources District
The North Platte Natural Resources District held its annual Ag Symposium on Wednesday, February 19th, at the Gering Civic Center. During the day, the District awarded Howell Farms this year's conservation award. Howell Farms was nominated because the large farming operation is open to continuous conservation in a wide variety including wildlife, soil health, and water management.
Howell Farms works closely with area agronomists, NRCS, and UNL to implement more conservation, which includes nutrient management, pest management, and irrigation water management. Their farming operation completes conservation crop rotation. They also plant winter wheat as a cover following beans to maintain soil health and prevent erosion. They are very involved in irrigation water management research and work closely with University of Nebraska Extension irrigation water management specialists. Howell Farms is always looking for the next advancement to improve irrigation water management through new techniques. They allow research to be completed on their property, which is used for irrigation publications through UNL.
The North Platte Natural Resources District wants to recognize these individuals for their dedication and contributions to the future of the agricultural industry in the Panhandle of Nebraska.