Sharing the road
Harvest season is underway. The Nebraska State Patrol encourages all motorists to be aware of agricultural equipment traveling on roads throughout the state.
“Agriculture plays a major role in our state. As ag producers continue their harvest, all motorists should stay alert for slow-moving ag implements,” said Capt. Martin Denton, commander of NSP carrier enforcement. “Due to their dimensions and loads, operator visibility is often reduced, so we encourage drivers to stay cautious when approaching, following, or attempting to pass farm vehicles.”
Agricultural products are moved across the country using various forms of transportation. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 2.2 million trucks carry agricultural goods from farms to markets.
Many producers use a harvest permit to transport their products, which offers several benefits, including an overweight allowance of up to 15% (within 70 miles of the source of the load) above the state limit. To use this exemption, product owners must provide haulers with a signed statement of origin and destination, such as this example.
When transporting these loads, haulers should prioritize vehicle safety by conducting pre-trip inspections, complying with traffic laws, displaying warning signs on machinery, using flashing yellow caution lights and staying aware of vehicles attempting to pass.
Ag conference
The Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will return to Kearney on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 20-21, 2025.
The Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference is an annual two-day event designed to educate and uplift women involved in any aspect of Nebraska’s agricultural industry. Through workshops and presentations, attendees will learn how to better manage risk, improve their farms and ranches and become more successful operators and business partners.
Golden Owl award
LINCOLN — Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry.
To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and Nebraska are accepting nominations for Nebraska’s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named the 2024-25 ag educator of the year.
Each finalist receives $500 in funding to help advance programs, and the grand prize winners receive an additional $3,000 to go toward projects, in addition to receiving the Golden Owl Award trophy.
The nomination period for the 2024-25 Golden Owl award began Oct. 1. Nominations of ag educators runs through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Following the nomination period, a selection committee will evaluate nominations and select six finalists in Nebraska, who will be recognized in front of their peers and students and awarded a personalized plaque and $500.
One finalist then will be chosen as the grand prize winner.
For more information, visit https://neffafoundation.org/what_we_do/programs/golden-owl-award.html on the internet.
Svanda hired
The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) has announced the hiring of Sophia Svanda as communications and education coordinator.
In her role, Svanda will oversee NSB’s education initiatives, working on various programs that connect with educators and agricultural groups across Nebraska. She also will support NSB’s communications efforts, helping to carry out strategies that promote Nebraska soybeans and benefit the state’s soybean farmers.
Sharpshooter event
OCONTO — Four Cuming County 4-H Sharpshooters 4-H club members competed in the Nebraska youth smallbore silhouette invitational on Sept. 28.
Established in 1977, this event has earned the title “longest running youth shooting sports event in Nebraska.”
Seventh-three youths competed in the events. Participants came from all parts of the state.
Attending from Cuming County were Laura Borgelt, Ian Schiller, Isaac Wooldrik and Tripp Meier.
Team — 1. Cuming County 4-H Sharpshooters.
Individual — Division B — 1. Ian Schiller; 2. Laura Borgelt; 3. Isaac Wooldrik.