When was the last time you held an ear of corn?  Have you ever thought about the technology behind it or the innovative products that can be derived from a simple ear of corn?  Do you ever wonder about the soil and water below your feet?  

We are going to learn intriguing facts about Nebraska and the interactive education center  making it possible.  It is a component of an integrated statewide strategy focused on agriculture and science literacy.    

About Raising Nebraska

Raising Nebraska is located in the Nebraska building on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds in Grand Island, Nebraska.  There is 25,000 sq. ft. of interactive and hands-on education dedicated to better understanding and appreciating where food comes from, how it’s grown and raised, and the science and innovation fundamental to farming and ranching in Nebraska.  Visitors of all ages will learn about the impact of Nebraska agriculture on their daily lives.

Interactive Exhibits

There are numerous hands-on and interactive exhibits inside the building.  The exhibits allow the visitors to experience Nebraska agriculture from several perspectives including food production, conservation, science, business and consumption.  Let’s check out some of the exhibits.  

·      Walkable Map:  Did you know Nebraska is not as flat as you thought?  Walk across the giant topography map to experience the difference in elevation.  Learn about the six different ecoregions and soils, and the underground aquifers that supply most of the groundwater.  

·      The Agri House:  Think of your everyday household items.  Do you know which ones come from agriculture?  With an interactive placemat, make a meal and learn where the food is grown.  Find out how many children are impacted by food insecurity in each county.

·      Drive a Combine:  Understand how farmers decide which crops to plant, how to prepare fields for planting and how to care for the crops.  In a realistic simulator, drive a combine and harvest the crops.  

·      Control the Flow:  Check out the full-size irrigation pivot and walk the length of it, discover how technology, sprinkler heads and more have an impact on the field.  

·      Ag Econ:  Explore Nebraska’s global reach by learning about the commodities that are exported worldwide.  Interact with a digital map highlighting the top five countries where the exports are sent to and what the export values are in U.S. dollars.

·      Store to Farm, Farm to Store:  Have you ever thought of the journey for your food?  Now you can explore two exhibits and understand the path food takes from the store back to the farm.  

·      Grain Bin Theater:  Step inside a real grain bin and watch brief films highlighting the diversity of Nebraska agricultural producers.  Learn how Nebraska farmers and ranchers are using innovation and technology to grow more with less.

Through the exhibits, Raising Nebraska is working together with industry partners to create special ways to connect with the community.  See the latest innovations and learn about the impact they’re making with education programs.  It’s an excellent way for partners to foster their relationship with the people they serve.  

Nebraska Agriculture by the Numbers

The state of Nebraska contributes significantly to the global food supply and boosts its economy by producing both crops and livestock.  Did you know?

·      1 in 4 jobs are associated with agriculture.  Agriculture supports thousands of families, from farms to processing plants.  

·      An estimated 35% of Nebraska’s corn crop is used for ethanol production, making the state second in the nation for ethanol production.

·      Nebraska is ranked number 3 in national corn production.

·      Nearly $10 billion in agricultural products were exported in 2022.  The top five products were soybeans, corn, beef, ethanol and pork.

Importance of Nebraska’s Resources

Nebraska’s vast land and valuable resources are essential for keeping the world fed.  With 44 million acres of farmland, Nebraska is a key player in growing crops and raising livestock.  Raising Nebraska invites you to learn more about food and the families who produce it.

What are you doing to learn more about Nebraska and its resources?  Do you know which industry helps our state thrive?  With reliable information, informed choices can be made to preserve those resources going forward.  

Reinke’s Contribution to Raising Nebraska

Reinke has been a long-time supporter at Raising Nebraska.  During this time, Reinke has donated a full scale irrigation system along with a soil moisture and a Reinke Direct ET by CropX exhibit, to create a unique interactive variable rate irrigation experience for visitors to the exhibit.  Visitors will learn about the significance of Reinke irrigation systems in the food production industry.  Using innovative technology, Reinke plays a vital role in Nebraska’s number one industry, which is agriculture.    

So, next time you drive by a field or farm in Nebraska, remember - you’re seeing a key piece of the state’s identity!

Learn more about all Raising Nebraska has to offer by visiting online Raising Nebraska.