3 reasons to visit Natural Resources Hub3 reasons to visit Natural Resources Hub

The Natural Resources Hub on Lot 39E at Husker Harvest Days Sept. 14-16 in Grand Island, Neb., offers visitors a chance to take home free trees and seeds, and some advice.

Here are three things you won’t want to miss while lingering in the Natural Resources Districts Building:

1. Free trees and seeds. Husker Harvest Days visitors can pick up a free native prairie grass seed packet at the Natural Resources Hub. Prairie seed goes quickly, so make the NRD Hub your first stop.

The NRD Conservation Tree Program helps landowners plant thousands of trees each year to benefit people and animals. Colorado blue spruce tree seedlings are also free to visitors in the Natural Resources Districts’ building.

All 23 Nebraska NRDs administer tree planting programs to provide trees and shrubs for local landowners. Each district varies, but possible services include:

2. Water testing. The Water Well Standards Program with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy  will also be on-site to provide free water testing, which can screen for nitrates within minutes. Private well owners should bring a cup-sized sample of water in a clean container.

3. Cost-share conversation. Along with the NRDs, agriculture producers can meet with various conservation agencies that offer assistance, cost-share opportunities and agricultural programs all at the Natural Resources Hub.

Some of the organizations include the Nebraska Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, and Central Platte NRD’s Native Prairie and Pollination Awareness Program.

Add the Natural Resources Hub to your list of exhibitors to visit during the show.