Ag-Life

Larry and Jane Nunnenkamp of southern Hamilton County display the Nebraska Pioneer Farm award they were presented with at this year’s Hamilton County Fair. Their property, situated east of Highway 14 near County Road 4, was first purchased by Larry’s grandfather, William “Bill” Nunnenkamp in 1926.

Larry and Jane Nunnenkamp of southern Hamilton County display the Nebraska Pioneer Farm award they were presented with at this year’s Hamilton County Fair. Their property, situated east of Highway 14 near County Road 4, was first purchased by Larry’s grandfather, William “Bill” Nunnenkamp in 1926.

‘By God’s grace, 100 years and counting’

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
It was exactly a century ago this year when an acreage of farmland in southern Hamilton County came into the Nunnenkamp family, and the current owners say they have been able to hold onto the farm and keep it productive in their time by the grace of God.
A metallic green sweat bee collects pollen from a prickly poppy flower in the Nebraska Sandhills.

A metallic green sweat bee collects pollen from a prickly poppy flower in the Nebraska Sandhills.

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Exploring hidden connections of the prairie

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
For Chris Helzer, a prescribed burn isn’t simply about managing grass.It’s about influencing where bison graze, where mice feel safe, where owls hunt, which flowers bloom, which insects survive and, ultimately, whether an entire prairie ecosystem remains resilient for generations to come.
Despite some green snap from winds associated with the July 8 thunderstorm, local agronimist Orvin Bontrager said the corn crop in Hamilton County looks good this year.

Despite some green snap from winds associated with the July 8 thunderstorm, local agronimist Orvin Bontrager said the corn crop in Hamilton County looks good this year.

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Corn, bean crops reported in good shape

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Despite some damage caused by the storms that rolled across the county earlier in July, Aurora agronomist Orvin Bontrager said the crops he has been scouting in the area look good at this stage of the season.
The Grain Place Foundation hosted its annual Field Day Saturday, which included three keynote speakers, all of whom participated in a panel discussion at the end. Pictured from left are: Chris Helzer with the Nature Conservancy, Dr. Jesse Bell, KSU sociology professor Matthew Sanderson and Grain Place Farms founder Dave Vetter.

The Grain Place Foundation hosted its annual Field Day Saturday, which included three keynote speakers, all of whom participated in a panel discussion at the end. Pictured from left are: Chris Helzer with the Nature Conservancy, Dr. Jesse Bell, KSU sociology professor Matthew Sanderson and Grain Place Farms founder Dave Vetter.

Changing minds about changing soil

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
For Kansas State University sociologist Matthew Sanderson, regenerative agriculture isn’t simply about cover crops, no-till farming or healthier soils. It’s about changing the way farmers see themselves, their relationship with the land and ultimately the future of rural America.
Regenerative agriculture is about working with nature – enhancing soil health, boosting biodiversity and building resilience – to create ecological wins and put money in the bank.

Regenerative agriculture is about working with nature – enhancing soil health, boosting biodiversity and building resilience – to create ecological wins and put money in the bank.

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Regenerative ag economics: From the ground up

News Staff
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
“If it improves the ground, it’s going to improve my potential income.” – Glenvil farmer Kipp Hinrichs. That statement captures the heart of regenerative agriculture. It’s not just about environmental stewardship – it’s about economic resilience.
David Vetter (right), CEO of Grain Place Foods, leads a tour of the organic farm near Marquette during a Field Day in 2023. Tours of both the farm and the processing facility will be part of the morning session of the 2026 Field Day on July 18.

David Vetter (right), CEO of Grain Place Foods, leads a tour of the organic farm near Marquette during a Field Day in 2023. Tours of both the farm and the processing facility will be part of the morning session of the 2026 Field Day on July 18.

Soil health to be front & center at GPF Field Day

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
A panel discussion on the connection between soil, human and community health will be just one of the highlights of the Grain Place Foundation’s (GPF) annual Field Day coming up on Saturday, July 18.
Emma Bullerman admits that there was a period where she thought she wanted to get out of Nebraska. Through her work at Prairie Plains, she’s come to fall back in love with her home state and is committed to following in her father’s footsteps to keep its ecosystems healthy.

Emma Bullerman admits that there was a period where she thought she wanted to get out of Nebraska. Through her work at Prairie Plains, she’s come to fall back in love with her home state and is committed to following in her father’s footsteps to keep its ecosystems healthy.

Bullerman follows family legacy into Nebraska’s prairies

News Staff
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Emma Bullerman is spending her summer riding around in fields with her dad, and she’s thrilled about it. It’s not just for fun, either — she’s interning for the Prairie Plains Resource Institute and working alongside her father, Mike, to conserve Nebraska grasslands.
Brian Brhel’s cattle graze on cover crops turning a row crop field into a temporary pasture meadow. (Photo by Brian Brhel)

Brian Brhel’s cattle graze on cover crops turning a row crop field into a temporary pasture meadow. (Photo by Brian Brhel)

More than a lease: The landlord-tenant relationship

News Staff
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
At the local diner in Denton, Brian Brhel shares a booth with his new landlord. They dig into their burgers and break the ice on their new working relationship.Brian is a Nebraska Soil Health Coalition producer lead.
The flowing waterway in this corn field north of Aurora on Thursday morning shows evidence of the 1.5 inches of rain that fell overnight as reported at the airport. That was in addition to the estimated 2 inches of precipitation received earlier in the week. Researchers say it’s not how much rain that fell on an acre of farm ground that counts as much as how much of it was retained by the soil. Studies show that healthy soil practices can increase corn yields by up to 25 bushels per acre.

The flowing waterway in this corn field north of Aurora on Thursday morning shows evidence of the 1.5 inches of rain that fell overnight as reported at the airport. That was in addition to the estimated 2 inches of precipitation received earlier in the week. Researchers say it’s not how much rain that fell on an acre of farm ground that counts as much as how much of it was retained by the soil. Studies show that healthy soil practices can increase corn yields by up to 25 bushels per acre.

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‘Yes, but how much rain did you keep?’

News Staff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Ask a producer “How much rain did you get” and he’ll tell you, usually followed with a “but.” It will be either, “but we need more as it’s been dry” or “but it came too fast and most of it ran off.”What really matters is “how much rain did you keep.
This wetland along J Road and just south of Highway 34 near the Giltner Spur has been filled up by recent rains to the point that, by one estimate, more than 100 acres is now underwater.

This wetland along J Road and just south of Highway 34 near the Giltner Spur has been filled up by recent rains to the point that, by one estimate, more than 100 acres is now underwater.

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Recent rains ease drought concerns locally

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
While all of Hamilton County remained in the D2 Severe Drought category this week according to the latest National Drought Monitor map released on Thursday, frequent and sometimes abundant rain showers over the past several weeks have added inches of moisture locally.