Wednesday July 15 Ag News - UNL, ISU Partner on Biomanufacturing Initiative - USDA Accepts @360k Acres into CRP - Malone Receives NAYC Award - USDA Covering Some Organic Certification Costs - and more!

UNL PARTNERING WITH IOWA STATE, OTHERS ON MAJOR BIOMANUFACTURING INITIATIVE

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a key partner in a collaboration involving about 70 institutions and organizations across Nebraska and Iowa that will create a bioeconomy-focused innovation ecosystem in the region's rural communities.

The National Science Foundation announced July 14 that the Iowa State University-led initiative, called RuralSTAMINA, has received $15 million in funding over the next two years, with potentially a total of $160 million over 10 years depending on initial progress.

As Nebraska’s land-grant institution, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a core partner in the initiative: Ascending Rural Communities through Sustainable, Transformative, Advanced Manufacturing Innovations and Alliances.

UNL and ISU are among about 70 public and private partners across the two states that will participate in RuralSTAMINA. In Nebraska, other core partners include Southeast Community College and Invest Nebraska. Partners also include Northeast Community College and Metropolitan Community College.

Funding comes from the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program, which aims to support multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades. The collaboration involving Nebraska and Iowa is one of 12 projects awarded in the program’s second cohort.

Forces in the agricultural economy
Together, both states represent the largest agricultural economy in the United States. RuralSTAMINA aims to build on those powerful economies by developing and commercializing innovations in biomass conversion and biomanufacturing — and developing an advanced manufacturing workforce — to create new value-added products from commodities grown in the region.

Nebraska’s Nicole Buan, professor of biochemistry, said the current bioeconomy worldwide is about a $4 trillion market, projected to grow to $10 trillion in the next five to 10 years.

“We’re hoping that we’ll be really competitive” as that growth occurs, she said. RuralSTAMINA will leverage federal investment to bring together academia, local and state government, industry, and venture capital to position Nebraska and Iowa to lead in this field.

A new paradigm
Jen Nelson, vice chancellor for research and innovation at Nebraska and co-principal investigator for RuralSTAMINA, said projects funded through NSF Engines are not typical research grants. Instead, they are designed to catalyze innovation ecosystems across regions, bringing together partners from multiple sectors to spur economic development and capacity building.

Dan Hoffman, chief executive officer of Invest Nebraska and a member of the RuralSTAMINA leadership team, said NSF, over the past couple of presidential administrations, has focused on a more macroeconomic perspective that includes private industry earlier in the research and development process in advancing biomanufacturing.

“It’s a little against the grain” of what universities are accustomed to, Hoffman said. But this approach is key because competition is intense, especially with China, to build the bioeconomy.

“It is a more holistic approach,” he said. “We have to move fast.”

Developing the workforce of the future
Partnerships among K-12 school systems, tribal colleges, community colleges, industry and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will help educate employees to work in this future bioeconomy.

“This Engines grant will allow us access to funding to be able to ... help with the needs for workforce development in the area,” said Tammy Mittelset, statewide education and career pathways coordinator in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“It’s about helping students get access to opportunities ... and allowing them to see their futures in our states and how to take their education and their knowledge that they learn and apply it to careers of the future,” she said.

Misty Wehling, co-director of the biotechnology program at Southeast Community College and a member of the leadership team, said the project will help develop “seamless pathways” for community college students to enter the bioeconomy workforce or to pursue further education.

A well-educated workforce also could attract more companies to invest in Nebraska, Wehling said.

Husker biochemist Buan said that from her perspective, “our job is to try to help identify the talent so that we can be sure we’re training the workforce of the future.”

Faculty members also have important roles in conducting the cutting-edge research of today that will be the bioeconomy 10 to 15 years from now, she said.

Government, academic leaders hail project
During more than two years of planning and a rigorous competitive selection process, leaders in both states have been key advocates of the project and hailed its selection by NSF.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer said support from the Engines program provides a powerful way to realize shared goals for research, innovation, and workforce and economic development across Nebraska and Iowa.

“Together, Nebraska and Iowa lead the nation in agricultural production," she said. "Because RuralSTAMINA plays to our region’s strengths, this Engines award will help drive innovation in the bioeconomy and, in turn, provide a boost to our farm economy.”

According to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Engines program investments in use-inspired research, translation of innovations to practice and workforce development are vital to advancing the bioeconomy and spurring rural prosperity in Nebraska and Iowa.

“Improving demand for agricultural products is one of my administration’s top priorities,” Pillen said. “RuralSTAMINA will increase the value of commodities produced by our farmers and ranchers, creating high-quality jobs and tremendous opportunity for the next generation.”

“The RuralSTAMINA initiative is an incredible opportunity for our state, our region and our country,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system. “The strong agricultural economies in Nebraska and Iowa, combined with our natural resources and transportation and energy infrastructure, make the Midwest an ideal location for this important initiative. RuralSTAMINA represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to look to the future while building on our incredible strength in the bioeconomy sector.”

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson noted that the university is already involved, on numerous fronts, in helping expand the bioeconomy in the state. RuralSTAMINA will catalyze those efforts by bringing UNL and ISU together with other partners in the two states with a substantial investment from the federal government.

“This award is very exciting and a testament to the life-changing research our university contributes to Nebraska,” Ankerson said. “It reflects our land-grant mission to serve and partner across sectors and with entrepreneurs and innovators to strengthen our state. That includes Northeast and Southeast Community Colleges, which will be key in helping develop the bioeconomy workforce all across our region."

RuralSTAMINA was one of 15 Engines finalists that emerged from 300 letters of intent, narrowed to 71 proposals, then to 29 in July 2025. Last winter and this spring, NSF conducted in-person site visits with all 15 finalists.

The project will have a chief executive officer, chief technology officer, governing board, corporate advisory committee and external evaluator.



USDA Accepts 359,695 Acres in Nebraska Through 2026 CRP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 359,000 acres in Nebraska into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation’s natural resources.

“The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country,” said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director in Nebraska. “The success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA’s Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America’s farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources.”

Accepted acres include participation through General CRP, Grassland CRP, and Continuous CRP initiatives that support soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and long-term conservation on working lands.

Of the 71,980 acres set to expire on Sept. 30, producers submitted re-enrollment offers for approximately 48,000 acres. Additionally, producers submitted offers to enroll 351,676 acres of new land in Nebraska. Nebraska had the highest number of accepted CRP acres in the nation. Counties with the highest accepted acreage include Sheridan, Sioux and Grant counties.

USDA’s CRP is one of the nation’s largest voluntary conservation programs, helping agricultural producers protect sensitive land while strengthening rural communities and supporting long-term sustainability.

More Information     
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and

potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production, the program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the country. 



Pillen Issues Order to Allow for Continued Delivery Of Hay and Supplies to Nebraska

Governor Jim Pillen has reissued an executive order allowing for the continued delivery of hay and other supplies to areas of the state ravaged by wildfires. Those fires, and continued drought, have severely impacted the availability of livestock feed.

The order allows for the relaxation of service hours and over-dimension and weight restrictions for commercial motor carriers who assist in the transport of those items.

The order will be in effect through Aug. 12.



AG EDUCATOR KENNETH MALONE RECIEVES AWARD OF MERIT, NAYC’S HIGHEST HONOR

Kenneth Malone, retired agriculture educator of over 44 years, was recently selected by the members of the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC) to receive the Council’s highest honor. Malone received the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute’s (NAYI) Award of Merit during a special awards luncheon at UNL’s East Campus Union in Lincoln. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) oversees NAYC and NAYI.

“Kenneth Malone has been an ag educator since 1976, inspiring generations of students,” said NAYC Advisor Christin Kamm. “His work has supported those interested in agriculture for years, helping raise money for classroom materials and supplies, contributing to the continued education of all students.”

Malone began his career at Diller from 1976-1984 before joining the staff at Tri County Public Schools 1984-1988 and finally ending his career at Palmyra in 2020. During his time as an educator, he worked with many students encouraging them to join programs such as FFA and NAYI and supported them during their work. Malone also worked with the Nebraska FFA State, American Degree and State Star Review Committee to review State and American Degrees as well as FFA District application for the American Degree. 

Additionally, Malone has been a Nebraska State Land Judging committee member for 36 years. He has worked with Natural Resource Districts, Soil Scientists and Teachers across the state to coordinate area and state contests, revise state curriculum and State Contest Regulations and awards. He visits teachers across the state of Nebraska and assists them with classroom training in Nebraska Land Judging and joined teams to the National FFA Land Judging contest to assist them on their trips.

“Ken is a shining example of what it means to be an ag educator,” said Kamm. “We want to congratulate Ken on receiving this award and thank him for his dedication to the youth of Nebraska and the ag industry.”

Scholarships Awarded to Youth
Scholarships in the amount of $500 each were awarded to two recent graduates who participated in NAYI this year as returning delegates. Returning delegates have additional responsibilities during NAYI designed to enhance leadership abilities and organizational skills.

The two scholarship recipients are Gracie Reynolds of Hooper, and Preston Beattie of Sumner.

NAYI is a week-long event for high school juniors and seniors interested in agriculture. NAYI includes motivational speakers, ag education, networking with peers and industry leaders, leadership experience and information on ag careers. In its 55th year, NAYI is the longest running program of its kind in the nation.

NAYI is made possible through generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups, and industry organizations. To learn more about NAYC or NAYI, visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/



USDA Designates Four Nebraska Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Wildfire

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

Triggering Disaster:
Impacted Area: Nebraska
Triggering Disaster: Wildfires, High Winds
Application Deadline: 03/06/2027
Primary Counties Eligible:
    State: Nebraska: Counties include Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill
Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
    State: Nebraska: Counties include Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawson, Deuel, Frontier, Hayes, Hooker, Keith, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan

More Resources
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local  USDA Service Center.



USDA Helps Organic Producers with Certification Costs  Putting Farmers First to Make America Healthy Again 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is helping organic producers and handlers cover certification costs as part of the Department’s effort to put Farmers First and Make America Healthy Again. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications to help with organic certification costs for the 2025 and 2026 program years through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which covers up to 75% of eligible organic certification costs. Producers and handlers must apply by Dec. 31, 2026, for both program years.   

“The Trump Administration is focused on putting Farmers First, and this program helps organic producers with their certification costs through the National Organic Program,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “This program enables organic producers to access additional markets for their products by removing financial barriers for farmers and processors transitioning to or maintaining organic status, resulting in increased access to healthy foods produced by American farmers.”

Cost Share Assistance   
OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program, which is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Producers and handlers are eligible to receive 75% of the costs, up to $750 for each of the following scopes: crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees.  

FSA will make payments as applications are received on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are depleted.   

Eligibility  
To be eligible for OCCSP, a producer or handler must have their USDA organic certification for the applicable program year at the time of application and must have paid fees or expenses related to the initial certification or renewal from a certifying agent during the program year. For program year 2025, they must have possessed a USDA organic certification at any time during the program year.  

There are four USDA organic regulation recognized scopes that must be individually inspected and certified: crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling. The scopes must be listed on the producer or handler’s organic certificate to be eligible for OCCSP. Eligible costs include:   
· Application and administrative fees for USDA organic certification 
· Inspection fees for USDA organic certification, including travel and per diem costs for organic inspectors 
· USDA organic certification costs, including fees necessary to access international markets with which AMS has equivalency agreements or arrangements 
· State organic program fees 
· User and sale assessment fees for USDA organic certification 
· Postage costs for materials related to obtaining or renewing USDA organic certification. 

How to Apply  
  To apply, producers and handlers should contact their local FSA county office. As part of completing the OCCSP application, producers and handlers will need to provide documentation of their organic certification and eligible expenses.   

Organic producers and handlers may also apply for OCCSP through participating state agencies.