More than 600 high school students from 30 area schools competed in the Northeast Area Land Judging Competition on Wednesday, October 2nd, in Blair, Nebraska, to test their knowledge of soil structure and land evaluation.
The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) hosted the annual competition on an acreage in Blair where students assessed physical features of the soil, such as texture, permeability, thickness, wetness, slope, erosion, depth, and organic matter.
Land judging enables participants to learn how to recognize the physical attributes of soil, determine land capability for crop production, and evaluate management practices needed for proper stewardship.
Eight teams (West Point, Norfolk, Wisner-Pilger, Lyons-Decatur Northeast, Tekamah-Herman, Pierce, Oakland Craig, and North Bend) and one individual, Aubree Schlueter of Logan View, advance to the state land judging competition in Norfolk, Nebraska, on October 16th, 2024.
The competition was sponsored by the Papio NRD in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Papillion Creek Watershed Project
Improvement Plan Approved
Plan to provide environmental and safety benefits to eastern Nebraska communities
LINCOLN, Nebraska – In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD), received official approval on the Papillion Creek Watershed Project Improvement Plan. The plan, an extension of an effort that began in 1966, promises to deliver significant environmental and safety benefits to residents across Washington, Douglas, and Sarpy counties.
From left, Papio NRD General Manager John Winkler, NRCS State Conservationist Robert Lawson, and Papio NRD Director Patrick Bonnett.
The original planning effort led to the construction of 30 grade control structures, which have been instrumental in reducing flooding and stream channel erosion within the watershed. Building on this foundation, a local group, the Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership (PCWP), was formed in 2001 to identify future projects to further protect and enhance the watershed.
In 2019, the Papio NRD utilized the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program, which has been critical in advancing the latest supplemental plan, which identifies 40 new watershed protection projects aimed at stabilizing degrading streams, reducing erosion and sediment, mitigating flood damage, and improving public safety.
NRCS contributed $560,000 toward the completion of the plan, enabling the Papio NRD to qualify for additional NRCS financial assistance for developing detailed project designs, anticipated to begin in 2025.
“NRCS is proud to provide both technical and financial support to the Papio-Missouri River NRD,” said Nebraska State Conservationist Rob Lawson. “Our top priority is to help local sponsors identify and complete watershed projects that enhance natural resources and ensure public safety.”
The Papillion Creek Watershed, spanning 245,800 acres in eastern Nebraska, includes a large portion of Omaha and the surrounding communities of Papillion, Elkhorn, Millard, and Ralston. The projects outlined in the Supplemental Plan are designed to address the pressing environmental challenges faced by these rapidly growing areas.
“The Papio NRD appreciates our strong working relationship and strategic partnership with the NRCS,” said Papio NRD General Manager John Winkler. “This is just one more textbook example of how partnerships maximize public safety and the wise management of our natural resources while simultaneously reducing the reliance on local property taxes and other scarce local resources. Nebraska has the very best natural resource management system in the country, and arguably the world, and this type of project makes us that much better,” said Winkler.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes to plan and implement authorized project plans for completing numerous watershed enhancements.
Today we shine the spotlight on Tami Tipton – a really cool “chick.”
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Omaha, District 66-Rockbrook area.
What does your job entail (job duties and how does your work impact the public)?
My job entails promoting programs that are offered by the Papio NRD. I also support the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency staff with maintaining tract files associated with farms in the county as well as doing associated administrative work. My work impacts the public through education and outreach about programs offered by the Papio NRD. Specifically promoting the tree program and E-WASTE event.
What’s the most unique thing in your office or on your desk right now?
The most unique thing on my desk is a sign I have displayed; “MY BIRTHSTONE IS A COFFEE BEAN”.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work (hobbies, volunteering, etc.)?
Outside of work I try to maintain my kids’ schedule with sports/dance/gymnastics and recently, musical practice. I also love to read, cook, bake and in the summer, we spend most weekends at our cabin on the Missouri River.
I am learning about raising backyard chickens. We recently added 6 chicks to our household. We also have a 12-year-old goldendoodle named Remy. I recently volunteered at a community fundraiser for the Walthill Senior center. In the fall right after I started working with the Papio NRD I volunteered with other NRDs, UNL Extension, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the 6th Grade Conservation Day event at Summit Lake in Tekamah.
What educational background or experience do you bring to your role (degree(s), coursework, skills learned, etc.)?
I was a certified Medical Assistant (Methodist College graduate) in Omaha for 19 years prior to moving to Pender, NE. During that time, I finished my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Grace University in 2011.
Is there family, significant other, or furry friend information you’d like to share?
My hubby grew up in Walthill. I met Gabe in Omaha in 2008, we were married in 2010. We moved to Pender in 2019, wanting our children to grow up in a more rural setting.
What is your favorite band(s)?
Right now, I’m listening to Zack Bryan AND the new Taylor Swift album on REPEAT.
Today we shine the spotlight on Jon Hansen, a Burt County guy through and through.
Where did you grow up?
Tekamah, Nebraska
What does your job entail (job duties and how does your work impact the public)?
I assist farmers and acreage owners implement conservation practices. Some examples of conservation practices include terraces, waterways, water and sediment control basins, livestock watering facility, working with the conservation tree program, and our wildlife habitat improvement program. Another large aspect of my day-to-day work is assisting our many partners, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service “NRCS”, Pheasants Forever, and the Nebraska Forest Service.
What’s the most unique thing in your office or on your desk right now?
You will find deer sheds and a signed football helmet by Coach Matt Rhule, along with a cluster of tree planting plan maps on my desk since we are in the thick of tree planting season.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work (hobbies, volunteering, etc.)?
I have a small farm and a cow/calf operation. I am also on the board of directors for the Burt County Cattlemen, and most recently finished up a 6-year term on the Burt County Extension Board. I enjoy hunting and I am a die-hard Husker sports fan.
What educational background or experience do you bring to your role (degree(s), coursework, skills learned, etc.)?
I earned a Diversified Agriculture degree in 2007, and I have been in the agriculture field in some capacity ever since. I started working for NRCS in 2017 before taking the Field Representative position with the Papio NRD in 2021 so I have gained a wide array of experience over the years.
Is there family, significant other, or furry friend information you’d like to share? My wife Amber and I have 3 kids: Peyton, Emry, Cooper, and we are expecting another little girl in June. We also have a silver lab named Tully.
What is your favorite band(s)? Currently I enjoy Zach Bryan, Cody Johnson, and Tyler Childers but I really like 70’s-90’s country.
Anything else you’d like to share? The best part about working for the Papio NRD is the people. I have got to network with some good fellow employees and partners and have met many good landowners and operators that are looking to improve the land. It has been very rewarding to work out of the Burt County Field Office where I was born and raised.
Farmers and ranchers interested in soil, water and wildlife conservation are encouraged to sign up now for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Those interested in applying for fiscal year 2018 program funds are encouraged to sign up before October 20, 2017.
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program available to private landowners and operators. Through EQIP farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical help to install conservation practices on agricultural land, such as examples pictured below.
Grassed waterway on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) tract south of Macy on the Omaha Indian Reservation.
According to Craig Derickson, NRCS State Conservationist, there are several options available to producers through EQIP. “EQIP is one of our most versatile programs. It offers cost-share and technical assistance to apply conservation measures on cropland and rangeland, as well as for animal feeding operations and establishing or enhancing wildlife habitat. There are many opportunities available, and NRCS staff can help landowners and operators sort out their EQIP options.”
Individuals interested in entering into an EQIP agreement may apply at any time, but the ranking of applications on hand to receive funding will begin October 20, 2017. The first step is to visit your local NRCS office in Dakota City or Walthill and complete an application.
Installation of a water pipeline on the Gerald Bousquet farm north of Hubbard, Nebraska, using an underground boring machine instead of a trencher to prevent possible erosion along the steep hillside.
For more than 75 years, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has helped agricultural producers design and install conservation plans. NRCS Conservationists work with landowners on their farm or ranch to develop a conservation plan based on resource goals. Conservation planning assistance is free and does not require participation in financial programs.
For more information about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other conservation programs, visit your local NRCS field office or go online at www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.
